A WW1 RNAS/RAF AIR FORCE CROSS GROUP TO A SEAPLANE PILOT WHO FLEW SOPWITH BABYS OFF THE SOUTHERN. DURING ONE PATROL IN 1917, ATTACKING A GERMAN U-BOAT. R E DEAN R. Ronald Eric Dean, a rubber planet, was born 25. September 1893, served O. C 1911-13 and then the Malay States Vol Rifles 1913-14. January 1915 he enlisted into the Royal Naval Air Service as a Petty Officer Mechanic and in April 1915 was posted to serve in the RNAS Armoured Cars branch in. Accepted for flying training in July 1915, he completed his pilot training and was recommended to fly seaplanes. He was posted as a Flight Sub-Lieutenant to RNAS Seaplane Stations Felixstowe on 19. October 1916 and Newlyn 22. At Newlyn Seaplane Station, which was 2 miles from Penzance on the tip of Cornwall, Dean would have been tasked with the arduous and dangerous work of flying anti submarine patrols over the sea with little chance of survival if their was a problem with his aircraft. As he was flying Sopwith Baby single seat fighters, it must have been lonely work also. Promoted Flight Lieutenant from April 1917, on August 16. 1917, flying Baby N1023, Lieutenant Dean had a rare U Boat contact off Lands End and dived to attack. According to his records. Dropped 65Lb bomb on submerged submarine. Explosion viewed in the water, after which pilot waited in the vicinity for over half an hour but the submarine was not sighted again. He had suffered effects from Malaria, presumably infected whilst in. But the main reason for his grounding seems to have been due to the prolonged periods he had served at high altitudes on anti submarine patrols. At Westgate, on the South East tip of England, Dean again would have again served primarily on reconnaissance and anti submarine patrols, though the proximity to the Belgium coast meant that patrols from this station were often intercepted by German seaplanes from Zeebrugge. April 1918 was again sent to Haslar hospital for treatment with a recommendation dated a month later that he was fit for flying but not at high altitudes and not in the North for 4 weeks. May 1918, Dean was attached to No4 Group, serving on the Staff of the Vice admiral Northern Patrol and directed to be instructed in flying Large Americas (Curtis Flying Boats). No further details are known of Deans service but he seems to have stayed in service beyond the end of WW1 as the RAF List for 1922 notes he was serving as a Flying Officer on the seaplane carrier HMS Pegasus. Therefore his full service from April 1918 in the RAF will be with the RAF records Office. Dean was Gazetted to be Awarded the Air Force Cross on the 1st January 1919. Only 678 of which were awarded for the First World War. Initially Dean seems to have flown Short 184 seaplanes but by at least April 1917 was flying single seater Sopwith Babys. Notes in his service papers say he was training to flying large. S at some point after May 1918. A very good AFC with all RNAS named medals. Includes copies of enlistment/RNAS service papers, Operations Report, copies of Gazettes, RN Aircraft Serials (detailing activity in all RN Aircraft), RAF Lists etc but as mentioned above, really needs some in depth research for service post April 1918, which may well give an idea of why he was awarded the AFC. Condition NEF Ex DNW 2000. PLEASE NOTE; If you have any questions and require more images please get in touch. SEE MY OTHER AUCTIONS FOR SIMILAR ITEMS. The item “WW1 RNAS & RAF PILOT AIR FORCE CROSS MEDAL GROUP SOPWITH SEAPLANE FIGHTER” is in sale since Friday, July 20, 2018. This item is in the category “Collectables\Militaria\World War I (1914-1918)\Medals/ Ribbons”. The seller is “albatrosj1″ and is located in SCOTLAND. This item can be shipped worldwide.
