orders, decorations, campaign medals and militaria - Spink

November 22, 2012 - LoNdoN
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A Superb Great War Fighter Ace’s ‘Battle of
Cambrai’ M.C. and Bar, D.F.C. Group of Five to
Captain J.A. ‘Jimmy’ Slater, Royal Flying Corps
and Royal Air Force, He Was 64 Squadron’s Top
Scoring Pilot For the Great War; Accredited With
At Least 24 Victories, ‘In 18 Days He Has
Engaged in 25 Combats at Close-quarters,
Shooting Down 8 Enemy Machines’, He Was
Killed in a Flying Accident, 26.11.1925, The Day
Before His 29th Birthday
a) Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse engraved in sansserif
capitals ‘Capt. J.A. Slater. Nov. 1917. Bar: March
1918.’, with Second Award Bar
b) Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R., reverse
engraved in sans-serif capitals ‘Capt. J.A. Slater May.
1918’
c) 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. J.A. Slater, R.F.C.)
d) British War and Victory Medals (Capt. J.A. Slater.
R.A.F.), generally good very fine (5)
£14,000-18,000
M.C. London Gazette 4.2.1918 T./2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) James
Anderson Slater Gen. List and R.F.C.
The Recommendation states: ‘For skill and gallantry. On
November 12th when returning from a patrol he attacked
enemy infantry near Monchy, and also silenced a Field Gun
and fired at transport, etc.
On November 20th near Moeuvres he silenced a battery
under very difficult weather conditions, and fired on
ammunition waggons, dumps and enemy infantry, and
brought his patrol back safely.
On November 22nd he led a special reconnaissance to
Bourlon Wood and East of the existing lines under heavy
machine gun and shell fire. Much information was procured
at an average height of 100 feet and an Albatros Scout
engaged and driven off.
On November 23rd he led a patrol of twelve machines to
attack the N.E. corner of Bourlon Wood. These machines
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dropped 33 bombs, fired about 3,000 rounds and dislodged
the enemy from the edge of the wood, causing heavy
casualties. The whole of this operation was carried out at a
very low height. Six Albatros Scouts were engaged and
compelled to retire. Having landed at 1.30pm he again led a
patrol of all available machines (seven in number) to the same
objective, again attacking groups of infantry in the open with
bombs and machine guns, 13 bombs being dropped and
about 2,000 rounds fired.
An excellent leader. This officer by his dash has inspired his
patrols with a very high moral. All these patrols were carried
out in weather which was almost impossible for flying.’
M.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 22.6.1918
T./Capt. James Anderson Slater, M.C., Gen. List, and
R.F.C.
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one
occasion during the recent operations he attacked a large
formation of hostile scouts, one of which he drove down in
flames. Later, during the same flight, he took part in a general
engagement, in which he drove down another enemy
machine completely out of control. Two days later heattacked
two enemy scouts, causing one of them to crash to earth. In
eighteen days he has engaged in twenty-five combats at close
quarters, shooting down eight hostile machines. His great
gallantry and fine offensive spirit have inspired all ranks to a
very high degree.’
The Recommendation states: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and
fine leadership during the recent operations.
On 21st March 1918 Capt. Slater attacked a large formation
of scouts near Inchy, shooting down one in flames. Later
during the same flight he joined in a big fight near Bourlon
Wood, causing an enemy machine to fall completely out of
control.
On 23rd March 1918 he attacked two enemy scouts near
Queant, causing one of them to crash to earth.
In 18 days he has engaged in 25 combats at close-quarters,
shooting down 8 enemy machines. He has led 50 offensive
patrols, and his fine offensive spirit has inspired all ranks. This
officer gained the Military Cross for low bombing and
reconnaissance work during the Cambrai operations.’