Medal Bar of Air Marshal Sir Ralph Squire Sorley

The medals of Air Marshal Sir Ralph Sorley, comprising gallantry awards and campaign medals.

Sir Ralph was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in the First World War and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his leadership in Iraq. One of his greatest achievements, however, was to advocate the fitting of eight machine guns in the next generation of fighter aircraft. This work at the Air Ministry resulted in the design of Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane, made famous in the Battle of Britain. From left: Officer of the Order of the British Empire, Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, 1914-1915 Star, War Medal 1914-1918, Victory Medal, General Service Medal, with clasp IRAQ, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945