Richard Percival Ward MC, DFC, CDG

**Gary Cain** · 01-28-2010, 12:48 AM

This is the jacket of R.P. Ward who as a Captain of the 4th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers was awarded the MC in 1917 then transferred to the RFC as an observer flying in the massive Handley Page 0/400. His DFC citation (Gazetted 21 Sept 1918)reads "He has been engaged on 37 bombing raids and 10 photographic reconnaissance and has been in nearly all the raids in which severe fighting has taken place. Captain Ward has displayed the greatest coolness and courage in action combined with ability and keenness in the work entrusted to him." I added the garrison cap but all the rest is his.

**Steven M** · 01-28-2010, 01:14 AM

Gary,

Such treasures...I had no idea that you had such items!

**Gary Cain** · 01-28-2010, 01:56 AM

Hi Steven,

Thank you and I have a whole lot more in the room!

Cheers
Gary

by Steven M

Gary,

Such treasures...I had no idea that you had such items!

**Steven M** · 01-28-2010, 02:08 AM

by Gary Cain

Hi Steven,

Thank you and I have a whole lot more in the room!

Cheers
Gary

Feel free to dazzle us further my friend.This is incredible.

**Adrian Stevenson** · 01-28-2010, 01:04 PM

A most impressive group.

You just have to admire these early aircrews.

Cheers, Ade.

**Gary Cain** · 01-28-2010, 06:08 PM

Hi Ade,

Yes you do. If I recall correctly the British alone lost 85 men a month in training. To go out and learn to fly in that era was a truly courageous and remarkable thing. We pilots today have no clue how truly dangerous it was to fly back then.

Gary

by Adrian Stevenson

A most impressive group.

You just have to admire these early aircrews.

Cheers, Ade.

**Steven M** · 01-28-2010, 06:17 PM

by Gary Cain

Hi Ade,

Yes you do. If I recall correctly the British alone lost 85 men a month in training. To go out and learn to fly in that era was a truly courageous and remarkable thing. We pilots today have no clue how truly dangerous it was to fly back then.

Gary

Yes indeed. reading period accounts from pilots makes one wonder how any of them survived flying those death traps. No brakes, flimsy framework, gas and oil leaks onto flammable coated fabric...no parachutes. All this to contend with plus the enemy shooting at you. Added to this misery, as Major Morris pointed out in another thread, the effects of Castor oil fumes inducing the undignified experience of losing control of your bowels in flight... - heroes all.