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Fold3_Team · Oct 31, 2023
Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 29695, VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/29695/supplement/7744. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned for most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. Captain (Temporary Major) Lionel Wilmot Brabazon Rees, Royal Artillery and Royal Flying Corps. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On 1st July 1916 at Double Crassieurs, France, whilst on flying duties, Major Rees sighted what he thought to be a bombing party of our own machines returning home. He went up to escort them, but on getting nearer discovered they were a party of enemy machines, about ten in all. Major Rees was immediately attacked by one of the machines, and after a short encounter it disappeared behind the enemy lines, damaged. Five others then attacked him at long range, but these he dispersed on coming to close quarters, after seriously damaging two of the machines. Seeing two others going westwards, he gave chase to them, but on coming nearer he was wounded in the thigh, causing him to lose temporary control of his machine. He soon righted it, and immediately closed with the enemy, firing at a close contact range of only a few yards, until all his ammunition was used up. He then returned home, landing his machine safely in our lines. OFFICER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/31378/supplement/7028. MILITARY CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/29344/supplement/10731. GAZETTE ISSUE 29344, MILITARY CROSS,: His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to confer the Military Cross in recognition of his gallantry and devotion to duty in the field. For conspicuous gallantry and skill on several occasions, notably the following:- On 21st September, 1915 when flying a machine with one machine gun, accompanied by Flight-Serjeant Hargreaves, he sighted a large German biplane with two machine guns 2000 feet below him. He spiralled down and dived at the enemy, who having the faster machine, manoeuvred to get him broadside on and then opened heavy fire. In spite of this Captain Rees pressed his attack and apparently succeeded in hitting the enemy's engine, for the machine made a quick turn, glided some distance and finally fell just inside the German lines near Herbecourt. On 28th July, he attacked and drove down a hostile monoplane in spite of the fact that the main spar of his machine had been shot through and the rear spar shattered. On 31st August, accompanied by Flight-Serjeant Hargreaves, he fought a German machine more powerful than his own for three-quarters of an hour, then returned for more ammunition and went out to the attack again, finally bringing the enemy's machine down apparently wrecked. AIR FORCE CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/30989/supplement/12958. GAZETTE ISSUE 30989, AIR FORCE CROSS, The King has been graciously pleased to confer the Air Force Cross on the officer in recognition of his valuable flying services. MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/29422/supplement/12. GAZETTE ISSUE 29422, MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES, The following despatch has been received by the Secretary of State for War from the Field Marshall Commanding-in-Chief the British Army in France. I have the honour to bring to notice the name, whom I recommend for gallant and distinguished service in this field.
Fold3_Team · Oct 31, 2023
Information: Enlisted with The Royal Artillery (Royal Garrison Artillery) but then learnt to fly and was seconded to The Royal Flying Corps. Serving with The Air Ministry, seniority date 04/04/1918. Groups: No.21 Group, Inland Area, seniority date 16/12/1929. Formerly Lieutenant, later Lieutenant-Colonel and Group Captain. Served with the Royal Air Force as Assistant Commandant RAF College, Cranwell, Group Captain in Command of Headquarters Transjordan and Palestine, in Command of RAF Depot at Uxbridge, and in Command of No. 21 Group from 1919-1931. Also served in the Second World War from 1941-1942. Aide-de-Camp to King George V 1925-1931. Sailed the Atlantic in a 34-foot ketch, single-handed 1933-1934. Under the name of L W B Rees he wrote "Fighting in the Air.