Honours and Awards, Immediate Awards

[Frank_Olynyk]

In March I spent three weeks researching at the PRO. *During the course of a visit with Chris Shores, Norman Franks mentioned that he had the recommendation for Bishop's VC. *It was, he said, right after a recommendation for one Harry Potter. *
These recommendations are at the PRO, in two boxes, which strangely (for the PRO) have the same piece number, Air 1/1032/204/5/1434. *Each box contains three or four folders, mostly flimsies (totaling ten inches or more and as a guess over 3000 pages). *These are labeled Honours and Awards, Immediate Awards, and cover the following periods that I made note of:
Jan 1917 to Sept 1917
1 Oct 1917 to 10 Mar 1918
1 June to 31 Aug 1918
1 to 25 Oct 1918
There were additional folders covering the earlier period, and the missing periods.

I therefore start by giving the recommendation for Harry Potter. *The typos here, and in the following posts are hopefully only those that appear in the originals.

Army Form W. 3121 *
3rd. Brigade, Royal Flying Corps, 3rd. June 1917.
Unit: No.8 Squadron. *R. F. C.
Regtl. No.: 50120
Rank and Name: 2nd Class Air Mechanic Harry Potter.
Action for which commended:
On the 11th May while his battery near Achicourt was being shelled by an 8" howitzer, this wireless operator remained at this post and kept his instrument working, on his own initiative, until specially ordered to get under cover by the Battery Commander, although shells were falling within a very few yards of his dugout and there is a standing order in the battery that when it is being heavily shelled the men are to take cover.

Recommended by: General Officer Commanding 3rd. Brigade. R. F. C.

Honour or Reward: Military Medal.

[handwritten signature] J.F.A. Higgins
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Brigadier-General. *
* * * * * *Commanding 3rd Brigade, Royal Flying Corps.

[Frank_Olynyk]

And now I leave a hole, in case I, or someone else, can come up with Hawker's VC recommendation.

Frank.

[Frank_Olynyk]

Army Form W. 3121
3rd Brigade, Royal Flying Corps, 16th February 1917.
Unit: General List. *No.29 Squadron R.F.C.
Rank and Name: 2/Lieut. JAMES THOMAS BYFORD McCUDDEN.
Action for which commended:
Skill and gallantry.
At about 11.40 a.m. on the 15th February 1917 near BLAIREVILLE Lt McCUDDEN dived onto a hostile aircraft and followed it down to 300 feet firing a double drum into it at very close range. *The machine was seen to crash E of MONCHY by two other pilots and was observed in a wrecked condition afterwards. *Lt. McCUDDEN re-crossed the lines at about 100 feet. *This officer has shown skill and gallantry on many occasions and, since the 26th January 1917 has destroyed two hostile machines and driven down one out of control, in addition to this one.


Recommended by: General Officer Commanding 3rd Brigade, R.F.C.

Honour or Reward: Military Cross.

(sgd) [scrawled signature, presumably JFA Higgins] Commanding 3rd Brigade, Royal Flying Corps.

[Frank_Olynyk]

Army Form W. 3121
3rd Brigade, Royal Flying Corps, 8th April 1917.
Unit: Canadian Cavalry. *No.60 Squadron, R.F.C.
Rank and Name: Lieutenant William Avery BISHOP
Action for which commended:
For skill and gallantry. *On the 7th April he came down to 50 feet, attacked a hostile kite balloon on the ground near REMY, dispersing the balloon crew in all directions and destroying the balloon - although himself attacked by an enemy machine which he drove down.

Previously on the 25th March near ST LEGER assisted in bringing down a hostile aeroplane which he followed almost to the ground.

On the 31st March he shot down an Albatros Scout near GAVRELLE.

On the 6th April he drove down single handed an Albatross Scout near CHERISY.

Recommended by: Officer Commanding 3rd Brigade, R.F.C.

Honour or Reward: Military Cross.

(sgd) [scrawled signature, presumably Higgins] Commanding 3rd Brigade, Royal Flying Corps.

[Frank_Olynyk]

Army Form W. 3121.

9th WING. *ROYAL FLYING CORPS. Date of Recommendation 8th May 1917.
Unit: 2nd.7th.Batt. Sherwood Foresters *& and Royal Flying Corps. (No. 56 Sqdn.)
Rank and Name: Lieutenant Temp. Captain. Albert BALL, D.S.O,M.C.
Action for which commended:
For most conspicuous and consistent gallantry during the period *April 23rd 1917 *- *May 6th, 1917, during which Captain Ball took part in no less than 26 combats in the air resulting in 11 hostile machines being totally destroyed and 2 driven down completely out of control in addition to several others forced to land.

* * *The courage, determination and skill shown by this officer is without precedent in the history of the Royal Flying Corps.

* * *The following are a few of the combats in which he displayed most conspicuous gallantry:-

* * *See attached list.

Recommended by: CLNNewall LtCol 9th Wing R.F.C. [handwritten, by checking Raleigh&Jones]
Honour or Reward: Victoria Cross.

April 23rd 1917.

* * *He took part in 5 different combats in one of which he attacked 5 hostile machines singlehanded and shot down one in flames, and in another having shot down a hostile machine he followed it down to a low altitude until it was seen to crash.

April 26th.

* * *When out alone he saw a number of hostile aircraft leaving the ground and waited for them. *He then attacked and shot down one which was seen to crash. *He was then cut off from the lines by 5 hostile machines and being unable to get through them he attempted to get round, but was hotly pursued. *He then turned and attacked the foremost which he shot down in flames. *He then forced a third machine to land and having expended all his ammunition managed to evade the remainder. *His machine was very badly shot about just in rear of his head.

April 28th.
* * *Having already shot down one hostile machine and forced a second to land, he waited above the clouds alone and attacked a third machine and followed it down to 500 feet. *He was heavily fired on by Anti-aircraft guns and owing to nearly all the controls of his machine being cut, he fell out of control but managed to recover and return home. *His machine was so badly hit that but for delicate handling it would have collapsed. *In spite of this he landed his machine perfectly and getting into another machine immediately started out again.

May 2nd.
* * *Whilst attacking a hostile machine he was himself attacked by 5 others, but by skilful manoeuvring he shot down one of these and followed until he saw it hit the ground. *About half an hour later he shot down another.

May 4th.

* * *He lad [sic] an attack with two other machines against 8 hostile aeroplanes and shot down one which was seen to crash.

May 5th.

* * *When alone he shot down two hostile machines, within a few moments of each other. *These two machines crashed to earth 400 yards apart.

May 6th.

* * *Flying alone he attacked four hostile scouts, breaking up the formation and shooting down one which was seen to crash.


* * *Owing to the peculiar nature of the operations in which Captain Ball took part, corroborative evidence is impossible.

* * *His machine was invariably out of action for a considerable period after each combat.

* * *He displayed the most remarkable energy and determination, and after returning from a combat with his machine badly damaged had always to be restrained from getting another machine and going out alone again immediately.

* * *Captain Ball, who in all destroyed 43 German machines and one balloon, was reported missing on the 7th May, 1917.

* * *(Sd) CLNNewall [handwritten]
* * * * * * * * *Lieut. Colonel,
* * * * * * Commanding 9th Wing,
* * * * * * *Royal Flying Corps.

[Frank_Olynyk]

C.R.F.C. 1591 (A).

Military Secretary
* to Commander-in-Chief.

* * *I attach a recommendation for Captain A. Ball for the Victoria Cross, but before I could send it in the officer is missing. *He was last seen fighting over the lines.

* * *The record which I send really speaks for itself. *This Officer I think is, without exception, the most determined and gallant pilot the Flying Corps has ever had.

(sg) H.T. [handwritten, presumably Hugh Trenchard]
In the Field. * * * * * * * * * * * *Major General.
9th.May, 1917. * * * * * *Commanding Royal Flying Corps,
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * in the Field.


[the attached recommendation, on two separate pages]


Army Form W. 3121.

[no Brigade, Division or Corps information is supplied] Date of Recommendation 9th May 1917.
Unit: 7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (T) and Royal Flying Corps.
Rank and Name: Lieutenant (temp Captain) Albert BALL, D.S.O, M.C.
Action for which commended:
For most conspicuous and consistent gallantry during the period April 23rd - May 6th, 1917, during which Captain Ball took part in 26 combats in the air, resulting in 11 German aeroplanes being totally destroyed and 2 driven down out of control, in addition to several others forced to land.

* * *On April 23rd he took part in 5 different combats, in one of which he attacked 5 hostile machines single handed and shot down one in flames. *He shot down a second German machine on this date.
* * *April 26th - When flying alone he saw a number of hostile aircraft leaving the ground and waited for them. *He then attacked and shot down one, which was seen to crash. *Being cut off from our lines by 5 hostile machines he attacked the foremost which he shot down in flames. *He then forced a third machine to land. *Having expended all his ammunition he returned to his aerodrome. *His machine was very badly shot about on this occasion.
* * *April 28th - Having shot down one German machine and forced a second to land he waited above the clouds alone and attacked a third machine. *He was heavily fired on by anti-aircraft guns and owing to nearly all the controls of his machine being cut, he fell out of control, but managed to recover and return home. *His machine was so badly hit that but for delicate handling it would have collapsed. *In spite of this he landed his machine perfectly and getting into another immediately started out again.

(second page)

* * *May 2nd - Whilst attacking a German aeroplane he was himself attacked by 5 others; by skilful manoeuvring he shot down another one and followed until he saw it hit the ground. *About half an hour later he shot down another.
* * *May 4th - He led an attack with two other machines against 8 hostile aeroplanes and shot down one, which was seen to crash.
* * *May 5th - Flying alone he shot down two German aeroplanes within a few moments of each other.
* * *May 6th - Flying alone he attacked 4 hostile scouts, breaking up the formation and shooting down one, which was seen to hit the ground.

* * *Owing to the peculiar nature of the operations in which Captain Ball took part, corroborative evidence is unavailable, but the condition of his machine after his fights is ample proof of the severity of the fighting, and the very great determination displayed by this officer.
* * *After returning from a combat with his machine badly damaged he had always to be restrained from getting into another aeroplane and going out again immediately.
* * *Captain Ball, who, in all, destroyed 43 German aeroplanes and one balloon, was reported missing on the 7th May, 1917.
* * *His courage, determination, and skill, are without precedent in the history of the Royal Flying Corps.

* * *(Sd) H.T. [again, presumably Hugh Trenchard]
* * * * * * * * *Major General,
* * * * * * Commanding Royal Flying Corps.
* * * * * * * * * In the Field.

Recommended by: Major General H.M.TRENCHARD, C.B.,D.S.O., Commanding Royal Flying Corps, In the Field.
Honour or Reward: Victoria Cross.

[Frank_Olynyk]

Army Form W. 3121.

(See note below, about this document -- FJO)
3rd Brigade, Royal Flying Corps, Date of Recommendation 2nd June 1917.
Unit: Canadian Cavalry, No. 60 Squadron R.F.C.
Rank and Name: Captain William Avery BISHOP, DSO, MC
Action for which commended:
Very exceptional determination, gallantry and skill.
About 4.30 a.m. on the morning of June 2nd., Captain Bishop, who had been sent out to work independently, first of all flew to an aerodrome W. of CAMBRAI; finding no machines about, he flew on to one about three miles S.E. of CAMBRAI, which was at least 12 miles the other side of the line. Seven machines, some with their engines running, were on the ground. He attacked these from about 50 feet and a mechanic who was starting one of the engines was seen to be hit and fall. One of the machines got off the ground, but at a height of 60 feet Captain Bishop fired 15 rounds into it at a very close range and it was seen to crash on the aerodrome. A second machine got off the ground, into which he fired 30 founds at 150 yards range, and it was seen to crash into a tree. Two more machines then got off from the aerodrome. One of these he engaged at the height of 1,000 feet, emptying the rest of his drum of ammunition into it. This machine was seen to crash 300 yards from the aerodrome, after which Captain Bishop emptied a whole drum into the fourth hostile machine, and then flew back and landed on his aerodrome. Four hostile scouts were about 1,000 feet above him for about a mile of his return journey but would not attack. His machine was very badly shot about by machine gun fire from the ground.

(second page)

This officer has always shewn gallantry and skill of the highest degree on offensive work, and during the past six weeks has destroyed 17 hostile machines.

signed: J.F.A. HIGGINS. Brigadier-General. Commanding 3rd Brigade, Royal Flying Corps.

Recommended by: General Officer Commanding 3rd Brigade. R.F.C.
Honour or Reward: Victoria Cross.

On the back of the second page is the note: Certified true copy. H A Jones 23/7/1936. Original extracted for permanent retention by the squadron. See A.M. file 356121/34. I wrote to the AHB, and they have no record of such a file.

These two pages are on heavy paper stock, not the usual flimsy paper (second sheets).

A third page, on flimsy paper, is a transmission document:

C/3B/8. CONFIDENTIAL. HEADQUARTERS, 3rd Brigade, Royal Flying Corps.

A. M. S., Third Army.

I forward herewith Army Forms W.3121, in triplicate, recommending the award of the Victoria Cross to Captain W.A.BISHOP, D.S.O., M.C., No.60 Squadron, and the Military Cross to 2/Lieut. A.M.WRAY late No.29 Squadron, R.F.C.

(Sgd) J.F.A. HIGGINS, Brigadier-General, Commanding 3rd Brigade, Royal Flying Corps.
In the Field, 2nd June, 1917.

Headquarters, Royal Flying Corps, In the Field.
-----------------------------------------------
I forward herewith copies of Army Form W.3121, for your information.
[this is followed by a signature, which I take to be JFA Higgins]
Brigadier-General, Commanding 3rd Brigade, Royal Flying Corps.

In the Field, 2nd June, 1917.

[Frank_Olynyk]

Army Form W. 3121 *Immediate Award [handwritten]
First Brigade, Royal Flying Corps, 14-7-17.
Unit: Royal Engineers and Royal Flying Corps, 10th. (Army) Wing. *No.40 Squadron.
Rank and Name: Temporary 2nd. Lieutenant Edward Mannock.
Action for which commended:

* * *For exceptional skill and daring in aerial combats:-
* * *On 13th July 1917, he attacked three Aviatiks East of LENS. Diving on one, he fired a whole drum at very close range, and the hostile machine fluttered down quite out of control.
* * *On 12th July 1917, he engaged a D.F.W. Aviatik, and shot it down within our lines near LIEVIN. *The German Observer was killed, and the pilot wounded and taken prisoner.
* * *On 7th June 1917 he attacked an Albatross Scout North of LILLE, and drove it down out of control.
* * *On 7th May 1917, he crossed the lines at 50 feet, under heavy fire from the ground, and brought the hostile balloon at QUIERY-LA-MOTTE down in flames.
* * *In the course of many combats, this Officer has driven off a large number of enemy machines, and has forced down three balloons.

Recommended by: Lieut-Colonel W.R. FREEMAN D.S.O., M.C.
Commanding 1st. Brigade, Royal Flying Corps.

Honour or Reward: MILITARY CROSS.

(sgd) [scrawled signature, presumably WR Freeman]
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Lieut.Colonel,
* * * * * * * * * * * * * Commanding 1st.Brigade,
* * * * * * * * * * * * * Royal Flying Corps.

[Frank_Olynyk]

I leave another hole, in case I, or someone, can locate Bishop's DSO recommendation. -- Frank.

[Frank_Olynyk]

Army Form W. 3121
3rd Brigade, Royal Flying Corps, 22nd. July 1917

Unit: Canadian Cavalry. *No.60 Squadron. *R. F. C.
Rank and Name: Captain William Avery BISHOP, DSO, MC.
Action for which commended:
For great skill and gallantry.

On the 12th July, Captain Bishop, leading a patrol of Nieuport Scouts dived on six enemy aircraft. *One of these, after receiving two drums of ammunition at a very close range, fell completely out of control and crashed near VITRY, as confirmed by the rest of the patrol.

Previously, on the 10th. July, Captain Bishop, again leading a patrol, dived on seven hostile scouts, one of which engaged at the range of 15 yards, fell completely out of control. *This was also confirmed by two or three other pilots.

This Officer since May 7th., when his name was last brought to the notice of the Army Commander, has destroyed seventeen hostile machines and by his gallantry and dash in offensive work has set an excellent example to the pilots of his squadron.

(sgd) [scrawled signature, presumably Higgins] Brigadier-General.
Commanding 3rd Brigade, Royal Flying Corps.

Recommended by: General Officer Commanding 3rd Brigade, R.F.C.
Honour or Reward: Bar to Distinguished Service Order.