The unique Great War Balloonatics D.F.C., D.C.M. group of five awarded to Captain G. G. L. Blake, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force - late Lieutenant, Royal Navy Blake entered the Royal Naval College aged twelve and at the outbreak of the Great War was a Lieutenant; he managed to get himself Court Martialled and dismissed for charges which included smuggling spirits on board a vessel; not to miss any action he enlisted in the ranks of the Royal Flying Corps He was in the thick of the fighting and completed some 470 Operational Hours: on at least five occasions he was compelled to Parachute from his Balloon, whilst under heavy Enemy Aircraft Fire Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, in its John Pinches, London case of issue; Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (24107 Fl: Sjt: G. G. L. Blake. R.F.C.); 1914-15 Star (Lieut. G. G. L. Blake. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. G. G. L. Blake. R.A.F.), each mounted on individual pins as worn, cleaned, traces of lacquer, very fine and an extremely rare combination (5)
