A First War Pair to Sergeant William Ernest Randall, RAF No. 24 Squadron
Item #GB6205
$60
British War Medal (25436. SGT. W.E. RANDALL. R.A.F.); and Victory Medal (25436. SGT. W.E. RANDALL. R.A.F.). Naming is officially impressed. Un-mounted, original ribbons, very light contact, near extremely fine. Accompanied by copies of two pages of his Service Records from the National Archives.
Footnote: William Ernest Randall had four years' previous service with the 4th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment (Territorial Force) and was married on July 5, 1914 in Brixton, when he enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps as a 2nd Class Air Mechanic on April 13, 1916, stating his trade as that of Joiner. Seven and a half weeks later, he embarked for overseas service with No. 24 Squadron in France, on June 5, 1916. He was appointed a 1st Class Air Mechanic on December 1, 1916, appointed Acting Corporal on June 1, 1917, promoted to Corporal on July 1, 1917 and promoted to Sergeant on March 1, 1918. The Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service merged to form the Royal Air Force on April 1, 1918 and that day, Randall was transferred to the Royal Air Force as a Sergeant Mechanic. Upon the ceasing of hostilities, he was transferred to the Royal Air Force Reserve List on February 27, 1919. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, on August 22, 1921.