The remarkable combination of Great War Distinguished Flying Cross as pilot 218 Squadron and 1945 Air Force Cross, as Chief Instructor at No.11 Elementary Flying Training School. Together with a 2 clasp G.S.M. including the rare, N.W. Persia clasp (some 47 only to the RAF)

Distinguished Flying Cross, (GV),  Air Force Cross, (GV1),  reverse officially dated 1945,  British War and Victory Medals (Lieut.  R.A.F.) General Service Medal, 2 clasps, Iraq, N. W. Persia (F/O. R.A.F.); Defence Medal, War Medals

Squadron Ldr. W. Bentley, R.A.F.

D.F.C. L.G. 1 January 1919. For  28 September 1918′ recommendation states:

‘Lieutenant Bentley has been on 36 bombing raids over enemy territory and did exceptionally good work during the British-Belgian advance (28 September 1918). In addition to the bombing raids he made 4 trips to the lines dropping sacks of food to the troops, within a period of five hours. He with his Observer has shot down 1 enemy machine and has been in numerous indecisive combats.’

A.F.C. London Gazette 3 April 1945.

Recommendation

This officer is Chief Instructor at No.11 Elementary Flying Training School. He joined the Royal Naval Air Service on the 4th August 1917 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his services in the last war. He was mobilized from the Reserve on the 3rd September 1939 and has served in his present post since February 1943. He has performed excellent and untiring work in this capacity.

William Bentley RFC from  August 1917 with 218 Squadron,  Western Front. Bentley was attacked by no less than 6 enemy aircraft whilst on an attack on the Mole at Zeebrugge on 30 June. He had previously been forced to take a crash landing on 21 June, which resulted in the propeller being smashed and their undercarriage being wrecked.

Served in Iraq and North West Persia, the later awarded to only 47 RAF personnel of all ranks. He transferred to the Reserve in October 1922. With the outbreak of the Second World War, he was granted a commissioned in the General Duties Branch as Flight Lieutenant on 3 September 1939 and was made Squadron Leader in September 1941 and  an A.F.C. some 27  years after his D.F.C.

Prov.  Spink 2022 c. £7,200 at that time with research from which the above was drawn but no longer accompanies.

A remarkable combination. Whilst uncertain of the longest gap between awards this must be  close if not there.