Despatches

HONOURS, AWARDS AND CURIOS

A US auction house sells rare British firearms and an Afghanistan CGC fetches a record sum

YOUNG ACE’S DFC FOR RAMMING FOKKER EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS

The Distinguished Flying Cross earned by a South African who downed a German via ramming has been sold by Richard Winterton Auctioneers

Lieutenant George Edgar Lawson (pictured second left in the group photo) was only one of eight South Africans to be awarded the DFC. He travelled to England in 1914, joined the Royal Flying Corps and was assigned to 32 Squadron, RAF, in April 1918. On September 27 that year, he became an ace after downing two aircraft, his second kill of the day (sixth overall) was Fritz Rumey.

Lawson’s citation read: “A pilot of courage and skill, bold in attack and gallant in action… On September 27, he attacked 15 Fokkers that were harassing one of our bombing formations, driving down one in flames. He then engaged a second; in the combat the two machines collided.”

Nick Thompson, militaria specialist at Richard Wintertons, said: “This is a unique and exceptional gallantry group. Lawson’s first victory came on June 7, [1918], above Lagny [France]. In September, he would account for a further five enemy – two on September 27.

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