orders, decorations, campaign medals and militaria - Spink

443
The Rare and Emotive Great War M.C. and Bar,
D.F.C. Group of Seven to Major A.M. ‘Bunny’
Vaucour, Royal Air Force, Late Royal Field
Artillery and Royal Flying Corps, a 7-Victory
Pilot, Squadron Commander and Recipient of the
Al Valore Militare, Who Was Killed in a Friendly
Fire Incident on the Italian Front: He Had
Advised Young Pilots on Joining His Squadron
that ‘Should You Ever Find Yourself Alone in a
Fight, Turn Straight at the Nearest Enemy and Fly
for a Collision... And Never Give Way!’
a) Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, with
Second Award Bar
b) Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as
issued
c) 1914-15 Star (2 Lieut. A.M. Vaucour, R.F.A.)
d) British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oak Leaves
(Major A.M. Vaucour. R.A.F.)
e) Italy, Kingdom, Al Valore Militare, silver, reverse
engraved ‘Piave-Trentino-Inverno 1917-18: Vaucour,
Awdry Morris’
f) Italy, Kingdom, Lega Aerea Nazionale, Gold
Medal, with enamelled decoration, reverse inscribed,
‘Al Major, R.F.C., Awdry M. Vaucour, Valoroso
Difensore Del Cielo D’Italia, 1918’, extremely fine,
with a superb Photograph and ‘In Memoriam’ Album
containing the following:
- Two Mentioned in Despatches Certificates, dated
30.11.1915 and 18.4.1918
- Contemporary newspaper cuttings regarding his
awards and death
- Assorted printed or old copy R.F.C. Communiques
- Correspondence regarding the recipient’s tragic
death in a friendly fire incident with an Italian Pilot
- An impressive selection of wartime photographs
- The recipient’s Training Badge transfer card, O.T.C.
Record of Service, War Office Letter of Appointment
to the R.F.A., and similar documentation for R.F.C.
Orders and Postings
- A number of Telegrams, including those for
Investitures and death in Italy
- Copy Letters of Condolence
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission
correspondence and photographs
- Various other letters and ephemera (lot)
£12,000-15,000
M.C. London Gazette 4.11.1915 Temporary Second
Lieutenant Awdry Morris Vaucour, Royal Field Artillery and
Royal Flying Corps
‘For conspicuous gallantry and skill on 28 September 1915,
when, accompanied by Captain Rabagliati, they carried out a
reconnaissance over Valenciennes and Douai. They had to fly
in thick cloud for nearly the whole distance, and several times
their aeroplane got into a “spin”. The Pilot, however,
succeeded each time in righting his machine, and they
reached their objective and carried out the reconnaissance at
2800 feet under very heavy fire.’
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Major A.M. Vaucour
M.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 25.11.1916 2nd Lt.
(temp. Capt.) Awdry Morris Vaucour, M.C., R.F.A.
‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He attacked ten hostile
machines and completely scattered their formation.
Previously, while returning with a perforated petrol tank, he
shot down an enemy machine. Later, he shot down a hostile
machine, being engaged with eight altogether. On another
occasion he and his Observer shot down two hostile
machines.’
D.F.C. London Gazette 3.6.1918 Captain (temp. Major)
Awdry Morris Vaucour, M.C.
M.I.D. London Gazette 1.1.1916 Vaucour, Temporary
Second Lieutenant A. M., Royal Field Artillery
M.I.D. London Gazette 30.5.1918 Vaucour, Capt. (T./Maj.)
A. M., M.C. (late R.A.)
Italian Al Valore Militare London Gazette 2.11.1918 Captain
(T./Major) Awdry Morris Vaucour, M.C., D.F.C. (R. Art’y.)
‘In recognition of distinguished services rendered.’