Orders, Decorations and Medals

A very rare C.B.E. and ‘Mohmand Operations’ D.S.O. group of eleven awarded to Group Captain K. H. Riversdale-Elliot, Royal Air Force, late The Cameronians and Royal Flying Corps
The Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) 2nd type neck badge; Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (2.Lieut., Sco. Rif.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt., R.F.C.) surname officially re-impressed on the pair; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1935, M.I.D. (S/L, R.A.F.); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1937-39 (W/C, R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D., very fine or better (11)

C.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1946.
D.S.O. London Gazette 8 May 1936. ‘For gallant and distinguished service rendered in connection with the Mohmand Operations on the North West Frontier, India, during the period 15th/16th August to 15th/16th October 1935.’ The only D.S.O. awarded to the Royal Air Force for these operations and one of only six awards made during 1936. His recommendation was approved by King Edward VIII on 22 April 1936.

Kenneth Harries Riversdale-Elliot was born in Kenmare, Co Kerry, on 6 June 1897, and educated at Wellington College and Sandhurst. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Cameronians on 14 July 1915, immediately taking flying training for his Aviator’s Certificate which he gained on 8 August 1915, qualifying on a Maurice Farman Biplane at Farnborough. Transferring to the Royal Flying Corps on 5 October 1915, he flew successively with No’s 22, 5, 15 and 24 Squadrons. He was on active service in France from January to July 1916, flying BE2c’s, Bristol Scouts and DH2’s.

On the North West Frontier 1934-37, Riversdale-Elliot commanded No. 27 (Bomber) Squadron, No. 1 (Indian) Wing, during the Mohmand Operations in 1935. During the Second World War he served in France, the Middle East and North Africa, with No. 88 (Hong Kong) Bomber Squadron and No. 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron. He was mentioned in despatches and awarded the C.B.E., retiring with the rank of Group Captain. The group is sold with his original Warrant for the C.B.E.