About the product

1914-15 Star (Pte R. Fus)

1914-15 Star (Pte R. Fus), BWM and Victory, (Lieut RAF) 39-45 Star, Afirca Star, France and Germany Star, War Medal, Belgium Croix Du Guerre 1914-18. Lieutenant and Flight Lieutenant Herbert Austen Allback, Kite…

Out of stock

SKU: J3421 Category:
Origin: United Kingdom
Nearly Extremely Fine

Description

1914-15 Star (Pte R. Fus), BWM and Victory, (Lieut RAF) 39-45 Star, Africa Star, France and Germany Star, War Medal, Belgium Croix Du Guerre 1914-18.

 

Lieutenant and Flight Lieutenant Herbert Austen Allback, Kite Balloon Pilot, 36th Ballon Section and 5th Balloon Company R.F.C. and R.A.F.

 

Herbert Austin was born on 26th December 1898, living in Oakdene, Ringstead Road, Sutton, Surrey. He was a student at Sutton High School from 1911 until 1914
Upon the outbreak of the war and only one year after graduating High School he enlisted as a Private in the Royal Fusiliers, serving in 17th and 18th Battalion, disembarking into France on 15/11/1915.
He was granted a commission as probationary 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps on 29/3/1917, put on the Gen list 24/7/1917, then confirmed in Rank as T/2nd Lieut 25/10/1917.
After his training in mid 1917 he was sent to the Kite Balloon Section of the Royal Flying Corps.
He was transferred to the 36th Balloon Section RFC on 4/7/1918. Upon the formation of the R.A.F. he was sent to 5th Balloon Company (A.R.) and promoted to Lieutenant K.B.C.
On July 22nd 1919, he was awarded the Croix De Guerre of Belgium, from His Majesty the King of the Belgians.
Then after the war to the RAF Army of the Rhine for disposal as of 12/8/1919, he was discharged 6/9/1919.

 

In 1940 he was aged 42 and WW2 had just begun. He was then granted a commission again in the RAF, as a Pilot Officer on Probation with the Administrative and Special Duties Branch. This branch handled many different duties, including a Balloon branch.
On 10/3/1941, he was promoted to Flying Officer.
9/10/1942, Promoted to Flight Lieutenant.
After the war he continued on with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, being discharged retaining the rank of Flight Lieutenant, 4/5/1954.
He passed away on 28th September 1963 in Surrey, aged 64.

 

His certificate for the Belgian award was sold in Dominic Winter Lot 820, 11/11/2016.