Dallas' Bar to his DSC

[Breguet]

In a previous thread I asked about the dating of Dallas' bar to his DSC. It was confirmed that it was gaztted on Jun 22 17. In an interesting side note to this he actually received the award from the hands of the King while on leave in London btween the end of May and the 9th of Jun 17.

I wonder if this was unusual or others also sometimes recieved their awards before they were gazetted simply because they were on leave and available at the time ?

I do not know how often it happened that investiture happened even before gazetting, but there were other cases. *In compiling a DSO data base I spotted the following:

BIRD, Augustus Willard, Temporary 2nd Lieutenant and Temporary Captain, General List and Royal Flying Corps - unit ? - Distinguished Service Order - awarded as per London Gazette dated 26 May 1917. According to Aeroplane he was invested with the award on 12 May 1917 - before gazetting. *

* * *For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on many occasions. *When on artillery patrol he succeeded in reporting 13 active batteries, observing fire on and silencing several of them. *On another occasion he attacked and scattered with machine gun fire two parties of the enemy which were seen forming up. *This operation was carried out for a period of two and one-half hours in very adverse weather conditions.

BUTLER, Charles Henry, Squadron Commander, DSC, Royal Naval Air Service - unit ? - Distinguished Service Order - awarded as per London Gazette dated 20 July 1917. Invested with DSO and DSC at Buckingham Palace, 18 July 1917 (two days before DSO announced). *For more on the events described, see Christopher Cole and E.F. Cheeseman, The Air Defence of Britain, 1914-1918.

* * *In recognition of his gallantry on June 5th, 1917, when he fought single handed two engagements with a number of powerful hostile machines. *He attacked six hostile aeroplanes together over the Thames Estuary, and later attacked two off Ostend. *On each occasion the machine selected for attack was compelled to dive.

CAMPBELL, William Charles, 2nd Lieutenant and Temporary Captain, MC, Royal Flying Corps - No.1 Squadron - Distinguished Service Order - awarded as per London Gazette dated 17 September 1917. *Invested with DSO and MC, 29 August 1917 (before DSO gazetted).

* * *For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on numerous occasions whilst on offensive patrols. *He has displayed the greatest courage and skill in attacking enemy aircraft at close range, destroying some and driving others down out of control. *He has proved himself to be a scout leader of the highest class, and has destroyed twelve hostile machines and two balloons, besides taking part in many other combats during the last three months. *By his fearlessness and offensive spirit he has set a splendid example to all ranks.

CONINGHAM, Arthur, 2nd Lieutenant and Temporary Captain, MC, Royal Flying Corps - No.92 Squadron - Distinguished Service Order - awarded as per London Gazette dated 26 September 1917; citation in London Gazette dated 9 January 1918. *Invested with DSO and MC, 29 August 1917 (even before DSO gazetted

* * *For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. *With three other pilots he attacked an enemy machine which was protected by ten others, shot it don, and destroyed another on the same evening. *Shortly afterwards he and two others attacked five of the enemy, and although wounded and rendered unconscious for the moment, he succeeded in driving down two of the enemy. *In spite of being much exhausted by loss of blood he continued his patrol until he was sure that no more enemy machines were in the vicinity, setting a splendid example of pluck and determination

LEARMOUNT, Leonard Wright, Lieutenant and Temporary Major, MC, General List and Royal Flying Corps - unit ? - Distinguished Service Order - awarded as per London Gazette dated 18 July 1917. *Invested with DSO and MC, Buckingham Palace, 30 June 1917 (even before gazetting of DSO award !)

* * *He has shown great skill and determination when on photographic reconnaissances. *Despite continuous fire from the ground and attack from hostile aircraft, he has repeatedly effected a safe landing after completing his task.

[MikeW]

Hugh,

Butler's unit was the Manston War Flight, he was one of my Sopwith triplane heros. There is a photograph of him in "The Air Defence of Britain 1914 -1918" by Cole and Cheesman, published by Putnam.


Mike

Thanks - every bit of info helps.