As promised, here is what I have been able to discover about these DSO recipients. *I had a very long reply almost ready to post a couple of hours ago, when my computer froze on me and I lost the lot. *I am therefore going to make a series of shorter posts so I don't have to keep retyping the information.
I promise you, I am not just padding my post total!
The main source consulted is "The Distinguished Service Order 1886-1923" by O'Moore Creagh VC and E.M. Humphris (1978 Reprint by J.B. Hayward and Sons). *Although this book is not always 100 per cent accurate, I have been able to glean London Gazette (LG) dates for all but one of your men from it, as well as further details for a few. *Have also consulted Debrett's 1925 "Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage and Companionage" and (in the case of Burnett) 1937 Kelly's "Handbook to the Titled, Landed and Official Classes".
BURNETT, Charles Kenyon *does not appear to have received a DSO. He does not appear in Creagh and is listed in both Debrett's and Kelly's as Brigadier-General CB (1919) CMG (1916). *As he was born in 1868 further service post-1937 seems unlikely.
There is however a Charles Stuart Burnett T/Lt.Col. Reserve of Officers LG 11 April 1918 "for military operations culminating in the capture of Jerusalem". He is listed in Debretts as Group Captain, CBE, DSO and in Kelly's as Air Marshal Sir Charles KCB (1936) CBE (1919) DSO 1918. Might this be your man? His aviation connection seems to be post-WWI.
EDWARDS, Patrick Harrington Lt Col (T/Comdr) RNVR *DSO *LG 24 May 1919 *Bar to DSO *LG 3 Feb 1920
24 May 1919: "As recognition of his valuable services as Commanding Officer of Allied Naval Brigade in North Russia between August 1918 and Feb 1919...very good work under difficult circumstances."
3 Feb 1920:"..distinguished service in connection with military operations in Archangel, North Russia."
GROVES, Percy Robert Clifford *Major (T/Lt.Col) KSLI *LG 1 January 1917
"...distinguished service in the field." *Brief biography in Creagh Pt 2, p 257 shows he was born 26 March 1878..."joined KSLI 1899, served in South Africa...RFC 1914; served with Air Services France 1914-15; Dardanelles 1915-16; Middle East 1916-18; Air Ministry 1918-19; Observer; Pilot...transferred to RAF with rank of Group Captain 1919". Was Air Ministry representative at the Peace Conference.
Debretts shows him to have also received the CB (Mil) and CMG, both in 1919
More to follow
LM