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456* Royal Flying Corps. A WWI / WWII of seven to Group Captain L.W. Jarvis, 56 Squadron, accredited for 8 aerial victories over the Western Front and later commanding officer of the Polish Air Force in Blackpool 1914-15 Star (Capt. L.W. Jarvis. Midd’x R) British War and Victory Medals (Capt. L.W. Jarvis. R.A.F.) 1939-1945 Star Defence Medal War Medal with MID oakleaf Iraq Active Service Medal Poland, Republic. Order of Polania Restituta, 1st type, breast Badge, enamel and gilt metal, 50mm across, mounted for wearing plus a conforming neck badge, 58mm across, generally good very fine Captain Louis William Jarvis was born in Cromer, Norfolk on 2 September 1892, he was commissioned as Captain with 10th Bn, Middlesex Regiment in August 1914 and served in Gallipoli with the regiment from July 1915, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and was a pilot in 56 Squadron (S.E.5a), Jarvis was somewhat of an air ace with a score of 7 aerial victories over the Western Front (19 February 1918) ‘I led formation of 4 S.E.s above and behind Capt. Fielding Johnson’s Formation. Crossed the lines at 14,000 at 11.40am just S of Hargicourt. The lower flight dived on some E.A. and I dived on an Albatross Scout at the same time over Lehaucourt and drove him down low (2000ft) East. At about 12.40, dived on 4 E.A. over 51B.Q.31. I fired 30 rounds from both guns at an Albatross 2-seater in this formation. The observer fire about 6 shots at me and then disappeared in the bottom of the fuselage. The E.A. then turned about half-way though my burst, and went down out of control in a slow lopping spiral. I then left him as Capt. Billinge opened fire on him’ (16 March 1918) shared with Lt Maurice Mealing and Lt Harold Walkerdine During WWII Jarvis was commanding officer of the Polish Air Force establishment in Blackpool. He was made Commander of the Order of Polonia Restituta (London Gazette – 24 September 1943) ‘Working under extremely difficult conditions he was able, thanks to his energy and tact, to gain the confidence and respect of all ranks of the Polish Air Force. As a result of his devotion to duty the problem of the personnel of the Polish Air Force who arrived in Great Britain after the collapse of France was successfully settled to a great extent’ (9) £5,000 - £6,000
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