World War 1 Medal Collection Page 1 2
Ground crews have always had their place recognised by the commanders of Naval Eight and 208 and this is given substance by the award of the Distinguished Service Medal to Chief Petty Officer JA Rosling, who was the flight line chief of Naval Eight. Naval squadrons always carried out repairs, even major rebuilds, on the line, whereas Army squadrons sent major units back to maintenance units for replacement. CPO Rosling’s consistency in keeping aircraft airworthy was largely the result of keeping his men’s morale high under fire, so being able to maintain an outstandingly high serviceability rate. His was the only DSM awarded to Naval Eight/208.
Flight Lieutenant Robert Little was Australia’s top-scoring fighter ace ever who began his career with Naval Eight.
He joined Naval Eight at its formation on 26th October 1916, scoring his first four victories aboard a Sopwith Pup between October and February 1917, which earned him his first DSC. Twenty four more enemy aircraft fell to the guns of his Sopwith Triplane and the rest of his 47 victories were scored aboard a Sopwith Camel. Little was awarded a bar to his DSC and then a Distinguished Service Order and bar. He was the only RNAS officer to receive two DSOs and two DSCs and was also awarded the French Croix de Guerre. His other two medals are the the British War Medal, 1914-1919 and the 1914-18 Victory Medal.
Flight Commander Richard Munday the Balloon Buster
Richard Munday scored nine victories, five of which were Zeppelin balloons. “Balloon Busters” were held in high esteem by all aircrews, since it took great tenacity and courage to attack a Zeppelin, equipped as they were with heavy self-defensive armament. However, once the hydrogen which kept them aloft was burning, they didn’t have much prospect of survival. The risk to the attacker was very high, and for that reason Flt Cdr Richard Munday was awarded the DSC
