Full medal write up
MILITARY MEDAL G.IV ‘58887 SJT: A. REMINGTON. NO:25 SQN: R.A.F.’
M.M. London Gazette 16 July 1918. The original recommendation states:
“No. 25 Squadron, R.A.F. 58887 Sergt. Arthur Remington
I wish to recommend the above-named N.C.O. Observer for a decoration. Sergt. Remington has only been about 2 months with the Squadron but has done exceedingly well. During this short period he has taken part in no fewer than 23 bombing raids. Sergt. Remington is a very fine shot and an exceptionally keen flyer and has destroyed 2 E.A. in aerial combat, one of which was seen to go crash between RAINCOURT and HERLEVILLE and the other to go down in flames near CAMBRAI. During recent operations on the Somme, he crossed the lines 10 times at very low heights and fire 2,640 rounds at favorable ground targets.
Major C. S. Duffus MC, Commanding 25 Squadron, Royal Air Force.”
58887 Arthur Remington was born in 1890 and joined the Royal Flying Corps as a 3/AM on 7 February 1917. Appointed 2/AM on 1 May and 1/AM on 25 September 1917, he qualified as an Aerial Gunner on the same day. Promoted Sergeant on 7 February 1918, on transferring to the Royal Air Force on 1 April, he was re ranked Sergeant Mechanic (Observer).
R.A.F. service papers do not give details of his Squadron prior to transferring to the R.A.F. However it does note he was serving with 25 Squadron by April 1918 and served in France between 4 January and 18 April 1918, trade classification; Observer. Recommendation for M.M. makes it clear he had served with 25 Squadron for a couple of months prior to his recommendation which fits with his service in France. On 2 April 1918, Remington was admitted to hospital suffering from frost bite to his hands and was evacuated to England on 18 April. Classified as unfit for general duties, he was finally returned to duty (Home Service) on 28 October 1918 and fit for Observer duties from 4 May 1919. He was finally discharged from the R.A.F. on 30 April 1920.
During his short service with 25 Squadron, Sergeant Remington took part in no less than 23 operational bombing sorties and a further 10 strafing sorties. The latter taking place during the critical period in late March 1918, when the German’s launched their great offensive. During this period, 25 Squadron, who’s main role was photographic reconnaissance and bombing, was switched to low level tactical bombing and strafing attacks on the advancing German troops. On one such attack on 28 March, Remington’s DH4 crash landed after having its undercarriage shot away (both crew OK) and two days later, Remington was credited with shooting down an Albatros fighter over Raincourt. This to add to another aerial victory claimed over Cambrai on 17 March.
17 March 1918. DH4 A7563, pilot 2/Lt J. Loupinsky, Observer Sgt A. Remington, 25 Squadron Royal Flying Corps. Remarks, About 10 Albatros scouts and some Triplanes.
“While returning from Bomb raid on SAULTAIN Aerodrome, 2 large formations of E.A. over CAMBRAI attacked the rear of our formation. One Albtatros scout dived on my tail and my observer, Sergt. Remington, fire about 50 rounds into him. The E.A. rolled over and went down in a spin, emitting clouds of smoke. He was obviously completely out of control. Several other Officers in our formation confirm seeing E.A. going down out of control and emitting smoke”.
30 March 1918. DH4 7602, pilot 2/Lt A E. Hume, Observer Sgt A. Remington, 25 Squadron Royal Flying Corps. Remarks, 7 Albatros scouts.
“Whilst dropping bombs on RAINCOURT, we were attacked by 7 Albatros scouts. My Observer at once opened fire and after about 180 rounds, one of the E.A. was seen to go down in a spin and crashed from 1,000 feet between RAINCOURT and HERLEVILLE.”
General Headquarters, March 28th.
“2nd-Lieut B L Lindley (Ok) & 58887 Sergt A Remington (Ok), 25 Sqn, DH4 A7535 – took off 11:25/11:25 then crashed landing 13:15/13:15 after undercarriage hit by shell on bomb raid”.
“During the first 2 months of 1918 the Squadron did less bombing and made an increasing number of photographic reconnaissances. In March bombing attacks were again more frequent, the Squadron attacking stations, sidings and again enemy aerodromes. All these raids were carried out form the aerodrome at Villers-Bretonneux on the Amiens-St Quentin road, which the Squadron occupied on 6 March. When the Germans started their last big offensive on 24 March 1918, the Squadron was forced to move again to Beauvois with No 27 and No 79 Squadrons, about 5 miles west of St Pol.
On 25 March No 25 Squadron joined in the attacks on the advancing Germans, with No 27 Squadron and No 8 Naval Squadron in low level tactical bombing and strafing. On 29 March the Squadron moved a little further NW and occupied an aerodrome at Ruisseauville, temporarily coming under the command of 81st Wing and later 54th Wing before returning to 9th Wing. In April, once the offensive was over, the Squadron returned to its high altitude long-range operations, sometimes going over 100nm into enemy territory, reconnoitering road and rail targets. This was a role well suited for the DH4.”
89 M.M.’s were awarded to the Royal Air Force for the Great War, only 8 of which were issued to pilots, observers or aerial gunners making this a very rare award.
Condition GVF, single medal bar for M.M. pinned to ribbon. He is further entitled to the BWM/Victory, which were issued in September 1921. Sold with copy R.A.F. service papers, M.M. recommendation and Combat reports (on CD).
A very rare R.A.F. ‘flying’ award Military Medal, with a fine recommendation for gallantry in the air.