A rare Great War Royal Flying Corps 'Early Bird', Southern Desert, Iraq, campaign...

A rare Great War Royal Flying Corps ‘Early Bird’, Southern Desert, Iraq, campaign combination group of six awarded to Warrant Officer P. N. Lee, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force 1914 Star, with clasp (123 1/A.M. P. N. Lee. R.F.C.); British War and Victory Medals (123. Cpl. P. N. Lee. R.F.C.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Southern Desert, Iraq (123. F/Sgt. P. N. Lee. R.A.F.); Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (123. S.M. 2. P. N. Lee. R.A.F.) mounted on card for display, polished, nearly very fine or better (6) £1,400-£1,800 --- Philip Norman Lee was an ‘early bird’ who enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps, 2 July 1912. He served at the Aircraft Park, France from 12 August 1914, and advanced to Sergeant Mechanic (Rigger Aero) in September 1916. After service with the Home Establishment, Lee served with 70 Squadron in Iraq in 1926. He advanced to Warrant Officer 2 and served with 1 Squadron at Tangmere (L.S. & G.C. awarded in July 1930), before serving on the Station’s executive staff from July 1934. Subsequent postings included to R.A.F. North Coates and R.A.F. Mount Batten. Warrant Officer Lee was discharged in May 1937, having completed 24 years and 304 days service. After discharge Lee was employed as an aircraft factory inspector. He resided in Lincoln, and died at the County Hospital Lincoln in March 1957. This medal group is illustrated in A Contemptible Little Flying Corps by McInnes and Webb, and Lee appears in a group photograph of ‘B’ Flight, 70 Squadron in 1926 (a copy of which is included with the lot). Sold with copied research.