Capt Stanley Walker AFC AFCross

[stevenbecker]

Mates,

Can you help with why this officer was awarded the Air Force Cross near the end of the war.

Capt Edward Stanley Walker also known as Stanley Walker

Was awarded this medal why on staff? with the AFC HQ in UK or with the 7th Training Sqn AFC either during his training or attached to the unit post training in late 1918.

His award shown in the London Gazette as this,

Thirteen supplement 31378 dated 3rd June 1919.

"Awarde Air Force Cross

The above mention officer in the RAF in Recognition of distinguished services rendered during the war".

I take it this medal was awarded for admin or training duties and not just enemy action which would acount for its award to this officer?

Any ideas or confirmation would be good.

S.B

[HERITAGE PLUS]

Steve

Background on the Air Force Cross here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Force_Cro...United_Kingdom)

Dave

[stevenbecker]

Mate,

Thanks for that.

One does wonder considering the wording of his award what he did to gain this decoration if as written;

"for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"

If as written on the Gazette;

"in Recognition of distinguished services rendered during the war"

What was the act to gain it?

S.B

[Adrian Roberts]

Don't know about Walker specifically, but the AFC was sometimes awarded for "Distinguished Services" over a period of time, but AFAIK it was always necessary for the recipient to have placed himself at risk while flying. Typically, such men were test pilots: e.g. Harry Hawker, Sopwith Test Pilot (later commenorated in the name of the Hawker aircraft company) was awarded the AFC (though I believe he was a civilian).