Description
Territorial Force War Medal, 405945 2nd Class Airman George Kett, Royal Air Force. Very rare example to the Royal Air Force, only about 500 issued named to the RAF and RFC.
Officially impressed: “405945 2-A.M. G. Kett. R.A.F.”
Confirmed on the medal roll.
Approximately 34,000 Territorial Force War Medals were issued, only about 500 of them were issued to the Royal Air Force and Royal Flying Corps, including examples named to both the RFC and RAF around the rim.
About 388 men and 0 Officers earned the medal with the Royal Air Force, however out of those 338 had service in former Army Units, whereas George Kett was one of only 50 men whose first overseas service was actually with the Royal Air Force.
Very few have appeared for sale to the RAF due to the unusual qualifications of the medal, it is unclear if the other 338 men who saw prior service had their medals named to the Army or RAF, very few surviving examples have surfaced named to either the RAF or RFC on the rim.
With copy service papers.
George Ernest Kett was Born during April 1887 in Nrowich, Norfolk,, son of Frederick Kett.
Educated as a Boy at Carrow Boys School since 1893 in Norwich.
George was a Joiner by profession, as in 1921 was noted as a member of the Trade Union, the Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers as a Carpenter and Joiner.
This profession would provide him with the perfect trade for the early RFC as WW1 era planes had a wooden frame.
Shown in 1911 Census as a Cabinet Maker.
George Kett first joined the Army on 8th September 1914, signing up for 4 years with the Territorial Force, aged 27 years 6 months old.
He joined the Royal Flying Corps on 20th November 1917, and the RAF on its reformation, 1st April 1918.
Right after joining the Royal Flying Corps he would see his first service in France, landing there on 22nd December 1917.
As this was his first service in a theatre of war, this qualified him for the RAF named TFWM medal.
After the conclusion of the war he was transferred to the G Reserve on 12th February 1919.
Wife, married 24th December 1911 in Norwich, to Daisy Ada Kett, 12 Sussex St, Norwich.
George would enjoy a long life, he died in North Walsham, Norfolk during 1970.
