Beschreibung:

An important Great War D.S.O. group of six awarded to Lieutenant Colonel R. Grey, R.A.F., Commanding the Royal Air Force in North Russia, who, before he was taken prisoner, was the pilot of the first machine to report the news of the retreat of the Germans after the Battle of the Marne, 1914 Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R.; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Lieut., Imp. Yeo.); 1914 Mons Star (Capt., G. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. (Lt. Col., R.A.F.); France, Legion of Honour, 5th class breast badge, this last with some enamel chips, otherwise good very fine (6) Footnote D.S.O. London Gazette 18 November, 1919, ‘Commanded the Royal Air Force, Archangel Area, with great distinction. Owing to the lack of Pilots and Observers during the winter, he carried out personally the most dangerous reconnaissances. On the 8th April, 1919, at Obozrskaya he carried out a reconnaissance in bad weather, bringing back valuable information. On the 22nd April, 1919, he carried out two most important reconnaissances with success but met with a bad accident on landing the second time. Although considerably shaken physically, he continued to command the Royal Air Force with marked success until the conclusion of the operations in North Russia.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 16 December, 1919, ‘for valuable services whilst in captivity.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 22 December, 1919, North Russia. Legion of Honour London Gazette 3 November, 1914, Captain, 1st South Midland Mounted Brigade, Warwick R.H.A. and R.F.C., ‘for gallantry during operations, 21-30 August, 1914.’ Robin Grey was born on 28 June, 1874, son of Sir W. Grey, K.C.S.I., late Governor of Bengal and Jamaica. He was educated at Harrow and commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Northumberland Hussars (Imperial Yeomanry), 23 August, 1898, serving with them in South Africa during the Boer War. He was an early flier and obtained Royal Aero Club certificate No. 563 on 16 July, 1913, flying a Bristol Biplane at Brooklands. At this time he is listed with a commission in the Warwickshire R.H.A. (T.F.), Lieutenant, 7 October, 1910. He proceeded to France on the outbreak of war on the 15th August, as second in command of No. 5 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. This Squadron made history for the Royal Flying Corps by forcing down the first German plane on the 24th August, 1914. Grey was awarded the Legion of Honour for his gallantry during the period 21-30 August, 1914. In The War in the Air he is mentioned as the Pilot, with Captain R. A. Boger as Observer, of the first machine that returned with the news of the retirement ofine the Germans during the Battle of the Marne, 9 September, 1914. On the following day the German G.H.Q. admitted the retirement of their right wing, signalling an end to the battle of the Marne. For Grey, however, the war was nearly over, for he was taken prisoner, with Captain Boger, on the 5th October, 1914, and remained in captivity for the rest of the war, interned in Holland. He was repatriated on 4 October, 1918, and was selected to command the Royal Air Force units operating in North Russia. For his services in Russia he was awarded the D.S.O. and the Order of St. Vladimir, 4th class with swords. He died on the 15th May, 1922.