AN IMPORTANT DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER & PAIR
(Mentioned in Despatches. By General Douglas Haig. 23.5.18)

To:
Lieut, HENRY ROBERT SOMERS FITZROY De VERE SOMERSET,
Coldstream Guards, Royal Air Force & Royal Navy (V.R.)

For Conspicuous Gallantry (on 27th November 1917)
At Bourlon Wood during The Battle of Cambrai.

A VERY UNUSUAL award of the DSO to a Junior Officer.
An amazing man of great bravery and talent who not only learned to fly with the RAF at Central Flying School, Netheravon & privately at Hanworth, but also served in all three services in two world wars.

[CITATION] LG. 18th February 1918.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his men with great dash and determination in an attack, and, having captured the final objective, he organised and led an attack on a strong point, which he captured. He was driven out by heavy shell fire, but at once led another attack and regained and held the position and captured a field gun. He set a magnificent example of courage, initiative, and leadership.

WRECKED BRITISH TANKS AT BOURLON WOOD NOVEMBER 1917 SHOWING EVIDENCE OF SEVERITY OF THE FIGHTING. Wounded in Action during the vicious fighting at Bourlon Wood during the Battle of Cambrai on 27th November 1917.


WITH ORIGINAL MINIATURES

[BIOGRAPHY]
Direct blood descendant of King Edward III and the Plantagenets.



Son of late Henry Charles Somers Augustus Somerset (1874-1945)
and Lady Katherine de Vere Beauclerk (1877-1958).
Heir­-presumptive to the 10th Duke of Beaufort, KG, PC, GCVO.
Married (2nd December 1922), Bettine Violet Malcolm, daughter of the late Hon. Mrs Sopwith and the late Major C.E. Malcolm.
Issue:
Two sons, one daughter. The elder son, Lt. John Alexander Somerset, was killed in action, 15th April 1945
Born: 3rd March 1898. Chester Terrace, London.

Educated at Eton School & Royal Military College, Sandhurst
(--20.10.1915) A noted yachtsman in both British and American waters and had become a boat builder. Member of the Royal Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club.

Henry Somerset was sadly drowned off the Island of Rhodes on 27th February 1965 aged 66.

[MILITARY SERVICE]

BRITISH ARMY:
2/Lt: 20th October 1915. Lt: 25th October 1915 (retd 27th August 1920)
ROYAL AIR FORCE:
Flying Officer : 23rd April 1918 - 20th November 1919. (Temporary RAF Commission) Central Flying School.
Capt. R.A.R.O.
ROYAL NAVY VOLUNTEER RESERVE.
T/Lt: 16th November 1940 - February 1941
( NAVIGATING OFFICER)
H.M.S. HMS MONTGOMERY
(Convoy Escort Destroyer)


HENRY SOMERSET'S ROYAL AERO CLUB "AUTO GIRO" QUALIFICATION CARD.



In 1932, the Cierva Autogiro Company moved most of its UK final assembly, testing and sales of its autogiros from the Avro facility at Hamble to Hanworth. It also operated the Cierva Autogiro Flying School, where Henry Somerset took his licence. It also conducted flight testing of Weir W-2 and W-3 experimental autogiros on behalf of the Weir Group, who helped finance Cierva.

The group comes with a file of research papers including both his MIC's, relevant war diary pages, gazette copies, copy marriage certificate, aero club picture etc.


A WONDERFUL, HIGHLY IMPORTANT & VERY RARE GALLANTRY GROUP WITH BATTLE CITATION TO AN ARISTOCRAT WITH EARLY ROYAL HERITAGE.

£4995. With Part-Exchanges Welcome.