RARE GROUP OF DOCUMENTS TO DECORATED FLT SGT RAF WHO SERVED WITH 47 ‘A’ SQUADRON IN RUSSIA 1919-20. INCLUDING TWO RUSSIAN PASSES

Flight Sergeant Percy Armitage served in the Royal Navy from 12th March 1912, joining the Royal Naval Air Service on 12th October 1915. He served at Eastchurch RNAS base, being promoted Petty Officer on 1st November 1917 and on transferring to the RAF on 1st April 1918 was Flight Sergeant Mechanic. On 15th June 1919 he was transferred to 47 Squadron to serve with the squadron in Southern Russia. Noted as serving with this squadron, which was soon to be renamed 'A Squadron, Royal Air Force Instructional Mission, South Russia’, until 21st June 1920. He was finally discharged in September 1920.

As well as receiving the WW1 British War and Victory medals, he was decorated a number of times for service with 47 Squadron in Russia.;

29th August 1919 The Russian St George Medal 4th Class
28th October 1919 – The Meritorious Service Medal for service in South Russia
18th June 1920 – Russian Medal Ribband St Anne
13th August 1821 – King’s Certificate no 4168

Group consists of:
1) Small 1916 29 page booklet ‘Instructions regarding the co-operation of aeroplanes with artillery’
2) Small box brownie type photo of aircrew in flying kit in front of aircraft – presumably Armitage
3) RNAS Eastchurch Rifle Club Card for Sgt Armitage 4) ‘Air Forces Record of Clothing Issued’ booklet
5) RAF Station Eastchurch form/card, detailing Armitage; Sgt Mechanic, trade Rigger Aero etc.
6) Russian document dated 1919 – Sgt Armitage pencilled in at top corner
7) ‘British Military Mission South Russia’
Identification pass giving details of Armitage in both English and Russian. Stamped 18th November 1919

After the end of WW1, in April 1919, 47 squadron was sent to Southern Russia to help General Denkin’s White Russian forces in their fight against the Bolsheviks in the Russian Civil War. While the RAF's ostensible mission was purely to provide training to Denikin's forces, No. 47 Squadron was included in the mission in order to carry out operational sorties. It was equipped with a mixture of aircraft, with flights equipped with DH9/A bombers and Sopwith Camel fighters. The squadron's flights operated independently, carrying out bombing and strafing missions against Bolshevik forces. No. 47 Squadron was disbanded on 7 October 1919, being re-designated 'A' Squadron, Royal Air Force Instructional Mission, South Russia. Flight Sergeant Armitage served throughout this time.

A very interesting group, the Russian related documents being very rare indeed.