Description
Royal Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, GV, 27800 Sergeant Mechanic William Helmsley, Royal Air Force, served in France with 15 Squadron.
Officially impressed: “27800 Serjt Mec: W. Helmsley. R.A.F.”
In remarkable unworn condition.
With copy service papers.
Announced in the London Gazette on 1st January 1919.
The short lived Royal Air Force Meritorious Service Medal came into being during 1918, the same year that the Royal Flying Corps became the Royal Air Force.
It was short lived, only being awarded between 1918 and 1928, before it was discontinued. It did not return until 1977 when it was re-instituted by Queen Elizabeth II.
William Helmsley was born circa 1880.
Father John Hemsley, North St Ashby.
He came to the Royal Flying Corps, from the Army on 5th May 1916 to serve out the rest of the war.
His civilian occupation was “Master Motor Engineer”, an extremely useful trade for the RFC.
Following the end of the war he joined the RAF Reserve on 15th June 1919 and discharged fully on 30th April 1920.
