AIR FORCE CROSS GROUP OF THREE (Royal Flying Corps / RAF)
‘Only 678 awarded’
Very Rare and Early Flying Group: Captain ROBERT KEITH TAILYOUR R.F.C.
AIR FORCE CROSS, (RFC) 1919-1920,(Horizontal Ribbon), in rare original J.Pinches case.
Queen’s South Africa Medal, (Derbyshire Imperial Yeomanry) CC, OFS, Trans, SA01, SA02. Officially Engraved, Lieut; R.K.Tailyour. ImpYeo.
In original case 'bottom half'.
British War Medal, 1914-18. Capt. R.K. Tailyour R.A.F.
(This is Captain Tailyour’s entire entitlement as he was a UK based flying instructor (Reading) and although he probably went to France he was never attached to an active unit serving in the field and hence did not qualify for a Victory Medal.
The Tailyour family were from Ashbourne in Derbyshire and after WW1 emigrated to Canada. Captain Tailyour’s AFC was for “ Services rendered to Aviation during The Great War”.
On returning to Canada after WW1 Captain Tailyour and Jock Mac Neill united in January 1920 to form a new company called The Edmonton Aircraft Company. Tailyour was the pilot and manager of the company which offered return trips from Edmonton to Calgary for C$40 and C$60 for a return trip to Peace River. Because there were no takers for the longer trips, Tailyour was at work in the spring of 1920 travelling to fairs to perform flying stunts and was one of the original barnstormers. He also found himself giving short flights to fair goers. On 2nd July he had his first passenger: Mrs Jennings who he took to Calgary with a stop at Olds for fuel. Mrs Jennings said that she enjoyed the two and a half hour trip that was at the time into a strong headwind. Tragically Captain Tailyour was killed at Camp Borden, Ontario, on 11th April 1921 when his aircraft crashed. His obituary states “ In loving memory of Robert Keith Tailyour AFC, Squadron Leader, Canadian Airforce, beloved husband of Christina Tailyour who was killed flying at Camp Borden Ontario 11th April 1921”
Supported by lots of paperwork and some photographs. A superb early RFC gallantry award to a most interesting officer. Included is the Captain’s original Boer War officer’s leather medicinal preparations holder containing labeled but empty bottles.
Note: The Military Cross and 1914-15 Trio to Captain Tailyour’s brother, Major K C Tailyour R.A. is listed in the army medals section.