WW1 ROYAL NAVY AIR SERVICE, ROYAL FLYING CORPS & WW2 R.A.F TO FLIGHT SGT DANIEL M.I.D.

Offered is a group of 3 medals to Flight Sergeant Alfred Daniel, who served in both world wars, seeing service with the Royal Navy Air Service, Royal Flying Corps & Royal Air Force. Whilst he was fortunate enough to be awarded a Mention in Despatches during WW2, he passed away shortly after being discharged.

The group includes British War Medal (1914 -20) impressed named F.23106 A.E. DANIEL. L.M. R.N.A.S.; British War & Defence Medals (1939 -45) un named as issued with mentioned in despatches emblem. Court mounted for display. Comes with original medal award slip to FLIGHT SERGEANT A.E.DANIEL, copies R.N.A.S & R.A.F service papers London Gazette.

M.I.D London Gazette 14th June 1945.

Alfred Edward Daniel was born 25th July 1896 in St Pancras, London. A motor mechanic by trade he joined the Royal Naval Air Service on the 2nd November 1916 for the ‘duration of the war’ (motor mechanic was not a common trade in 1916). He served at the following R.N.A.S bases in England: Bristol, Christal Palace, Westgate (Seaplanes), Kelling h(?) up to the 31st March 1918. On 1 April 1918, the R.N.A.S. was merged with the R.F.C. to form the Royal Air Force and Leading Air Mechanic Daniel became part of the R.A.F. He was possibly working on the Sunbeam bomber prototype trial, his service records note Sunbeams, Westgate 20/5/1918. He was posted to 219 Squadron 21/2/1919, the squadron was formed in August 1918, by merging No. 442, 555, 556 and 470 Flights. It operated a mixture of aircraft, including seaplanes, Airco DH.9 bombers, and Sopwith Camel fighters, and was responsible for the defence of the Thames Estuary. 212 Squadron 1/7/1919. Promoted to Sgt Fitter 1/1/1919 & posted to India 6/11/1919, he discharged 7/9/1921 on termination of enlistment.

Flight Sergeant Daniel enlisted into the R.A.F. reserve on the 1st April 1939 at Cardington with his occupation ‘Engine Fitter”. He was Mentioned in Despatches in the London Gazette 14th June 1945 with the rank of Flight Sergeant. He died shortly after the war finished.