WWI FLYING D.C.M. & 1914 STAR TRIO OF MEDALS TO F.SGT. D.R. BAXTER, R.F.C. (1 OUT OF CONTROL)

D.C.M. Gazetted 1 Jan 1917:

"For conspicuous gallantry in action. On three occasions he came to a very low altitude to attack Infantry on the ground. He has displayed great courage and determination throughout."

Recommendation from Capt. A.M. Miller, 3 Sqn., R.F.C.:

"Together with F.Sgt. Graham & A.M.1 Young, this N.C.O. on several occasions worked all night on damaged machines in order that they could be ready for the following day's work. In excess of this he has shown great keenness in aerial observation, so much so that he is now able to carry out Artillery shoots as successfully as the best trained observer. On four occasions whilst flying with various pilots, he has engaged with success hostile aircraft, and on 3 occasions has descended to 1000 ft and below, and engaged advancing enemy infantry with good results."

David Robert Baxter was born in Portsmouth in Nov 1893 and enlisted in the Army as a Boy Recruit in July 1908, transferring to the Royal Flying Corps from 30 Company, Royal Engineers, in Apr 1914. Posted to France with No.3 Squadron on 13 Aug 1914, Baxter was advanced to Sergeant and qualified as an Observer in Nov 1916. One of his previous month's training flights with pilot 2nd Lieut. T.S. Green resulting in a dogfight with an L.V.G. enemy aircraft, with the E.A. driven down in a nose dive out of control, but destruction unconfirmed. Thomas Seaman Green would be killed himself on 13 Feb 1917. Advanced to Flight Sergeant (N.C.O. Observer) in May 1917, Baxter completed many more successful sorties against ground troops and returned to England in Sep and was discharged from service in Feb 1919.

This is one of approximately 30 D.C.M.s for flying gallantry to the Royal Flying Corps.