This is an odd book - produced in limited numbers and marketed by E-Bay (but see above). Its scope is the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Cross, Distinguished Flying Medal and Air Force Medal as issued in 1918-1919. These, of course, were the decorations created for the Royal Air Force on the amalgamation of the RFC and RNAS. The DFC and DFM, recognizing gallantry displayed in combat, were successors to their Army and Navy counterparts (MC and MM, DSC and DSM), but the AFC and AFM, awarded for gallantry not in the presence of the enemy, were very new in concept, with no equivalents in the older service awards.

The book itself is comprised of several parts. The first few pages set out the original warrants of the four awards; this is followed by a summary of the RAF units mentioned in the body of the work. Next comes the Introduction and what the author titles 'Insight Into the Book' - 19 pages in all that are better described as 'The Rant' in which Mr Nelson bitterly attacks assorted groups and practices. He decries how Victoria Crosses were awarded or withheld in 1879, hectors about the criminal negligence by which British airmen had no parachutes in 1918 whereas German airmen did, disparity in numbers between awards for officers as opposed to those for enlisted men, the competency of generals, the British class system, etc. In case we fail to catch his sarcasm, the author puts his pointed 'zingers' in italics.

'The Rant' is, in fact, a product of long-standing opinion, prejudice, and indifferent scholarship. His repeated criticisms of Victoria Cross awards show that he has no understanding of how that honour developed. If he chooses to learn, he might well consult MJ Crook, The Evolution of the Victoria Cross (Tunbridge Wells, Midas Books, 1975). His tiresome analysis of First World War strategy and tactics would be more convincing if there were any sign that he had done any serious study of the subject in the last ten years (John Terraine would be recommended reading here). As to his repeated editorial remarks about honours systems being capricious or unfair, there are only two remedies: abolish them completely or hand out decorations by the bushel basket (think of aircraft dropping crates of Iron Crosses to German divisions trapped at Stalingrad - that was a democratic distribution of medals!).

The body of the book, dealing with the awards themselves, is very useful. It should first be noted that the DFM and DFM have been the subject of excellent books by Ian Tavender and the redoubtable team of Nick and Carol Carter (and listed in the bibliography). On the other hand, there has been no comprehensive listing, not even for 1918-1919, of AFC and AFM recipients, and Nelson's book makes a good start on the subject.

A failing of this work (shared with the Tavender and Carter books) is near-total reliance on the London Gazette; if the Gazette reported an award without a citation, then no citation appears in the books. There are, in fact, recommendations and unpublished citations to many awards in the Public Record Office, London, but as we all know, acquiring that information can be costly and time-consuming. Nelson, to his credit, has acquired some unpublished material. Thus, in the case of Reginald F. Browne (DFC, no gazetted citation) he has nevertheless obtained a statement of services that appears to have led to the award. Unhappily, he does not cite his source. This happens with some regularity; it would be nice to know where he found the story of Edmund DM Robertson's encounter with German seaplanes, when the British pilot declined an offer of certain rescue (and captivity), preferring to gamble on the appearance of a British vessel. Footnotes or endnotes would be helpful, but one looks for them in vain.

Nelson's book is strongest in its cross-referencing to other awards. By way of example, Ross Smith's DFC and two Bars are both found in the book, along with the citations to his MC and bar, the announcement of his AFC, and the official gazetted announcement of his knighthood. By the same token, Brian E. Baker gets into the book; there is no citation to his AFC, but the texts for his previously awarded MC and DSO are published, a further references are made to his Croix de Guerre and Mention in Despatches.

The work underlines the need for further research and publications in the field of honours and awards. A complete listing of all air awards from 1914 to 1919 would be welcomed by many, with or without the various foreign awards bestowed upon British and Commonwealth personnel. It may have to be a co-operative effort, and it will certainly require input from persons with ready access to the Public Record Office.

The Author also has under preparation a new volume called Mentioned in Despatches to the RNAS, RFC, and RAF, 1914-1919. The book is to include those in different theatres of war and will include Army personnel in the anti-aircraft section and civilians who took part in the defence of Britain.
The book will be hardbound, approximately 450 pages and list around 8000 names. The price is not to hand at present, publication is expected towards the end of this year.