Five: Sergeant Major 1st Class E. 'Turk' Fowles, Royal Flying Corps, an 'early bird' of the...

Five: Sergeant Major 1st Class E. ‘Turk’ Fowles, Royal Flying Corps, an ‘early bird’ of the Corps, and later Captain with the British South Africa Police British War and Victory Medals (80 S.M. 1 E. Fowles. R.A.F.); War Medal 1939-45; Permanent Forces of the Empire L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (2034 Staff Cpl. Ernest Fowles, B.S.A. Police.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (80 Sjt: E. Fowles. R.F.C.) mounted for wear, nearly very fine, a rare combination (5) £800-£1,200 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 1 January 1917. Approximately 140 Army Meritorious Service Medals were awarded to Royal Flying Corps personnel.
 Permanent Forces of the Empire L.S. & G.C. Southern Rhodesia Gazette 21 October 1927. Ernest ‘Turk’ Fowles was born in Bracknell, Berkshire, in 1887. He initially served with the Grenadier Guards between August 1909 and June 1912, prior to transferring to the newly formed Royal Flying Corps on 27 June 1912. Fowles advanced to Corporal in September 1914, and to Sergeant in March 1915. He served during the Great War in the French theatre of War between February 1916 and July 1917, and between May 1918 and February 1919. Fowles served with the British South Africa Police after the War. The following (which probably includes embellishments regarding his RFC career!) appeared as his obituary in the B.S.A. Police Journal Outpost in 1974: ‘With deep sorrow we record the death in Durban on April 17 of Ernest ‘Turk’ Fowles at the age of 82. Mr Fowles was born in Berkshire and joined the Grenadier Guards on leaving school. In May, 1912, Turk was one of the first applicants for transfer to the embryo Royal Flying Corps, military aviation in Britain up to then having been the responsibility of the 55th (Balloon) Coy., Royal Engineers. Mr. Fowles joined No. 1 Squadron then equipped with balloons, kits (man-lifting) and four airships. In early 1913 he was sent to the Central Flying School at Upavon to join the select band that included virtually all the British air aces of World War I and other notables such as a ‘Major’ Trenchard (who was to influence the future of not only the Royal Air Force but also the British Police Force in later years) and a gentleman named Winston Churchill who was taught to fly at Upavon and also signed Turk’s navigation certificate. In March 1919 having survived the development flights and other vagaries of almost every type of allied fighter and bomber aircraft, and having been awarded the Meritorious Service in 1916, Turk opted for the ‘peace and quiet’ of a career in the B.S.A. Police. Mr Fowles attested on April 26, 1919, and served with distinction for 14 years in Mashonaland before transferring the Permanent Staff Corps. He spent a further 12 years with the Staff Corps before retiring with the rank of Captain in 1945. He then spent some time with the Native Department at Wedza, ranched at Marandellas and worked on the Salisbury Tobacco Floors before seeking retirement in Natal in 1957. To his widow, Connie, and daughter Jean, we extend the sincere condolences of all who were privileged to know such a wonderful character.’ Sold with copied research.