Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Acting Squadron Leader A. C. Pyke, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch), late York and Lancaster Regiment

British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. A. C. Pyke); Cadet Forces Medal, G.VI.R. (Act. Sqn. Ldr A. C. Pyke. R.A.F.V.R. (T).); Netherlands, Kingdom, Order of Orange Nassau, Military Division, Officer’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with considerable loss of white enamel to arms, the first three extremely fine, the last good fine (4) £140-£180

Arthur Charles Pyke was born in Paddington in 1895 and was appointed to a commission as Second Lieutenant in the York and Lancaster Regiment in the London Gazette of 13 November 1915. Posted overseas to France with the 4th Battalion on 11 January 1916, he was later awarded a Silver War Badge on 12 August 1918, his address at that time being 69 Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex.

Re-attesting for the R.A.F.V.R. (T), the recipient witnessed further service in an cadet training role within the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. With no call-up liability and often operating part-time, it fell to individuals such as Pyke to facilitate air experience flights and lead volunteer gliding squadrons in order to provide flight experience for future pilots and aircrew; Order of Orange Nassau remains unconfirmed.