Hannover, Kingdom. An Ernst August Order In Gold, I Class Knight, C.1870 Archive at the age of 49

at the age of 49 (although the certificate says 50)

Grand Cross decoration with Swords is extremely rare

left corner torn off

Only in late 1943 did he return to flying combat missions

He signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (6796) with the Inns of Court Officer's Training Corps in London

Hannover, Kingdom. An Ernst August Order In Gold, I Class Knight, C.1870 Archive at the age of 49(Ernst August Orden Ritterkreuz I. Klasse). Instituted on the 15th December 1865 by King George V of Hanover. 1866 1878 Issue. A superb cross in Gold, consisting of a white enameled Maltese cross with ball finials, with a finely detailed Hanoverian crown in each quadrant, obverse centre presenting a red enameled field with the royal cipher of Ernst August in Gold, a blue enameled surround featuring the motto of the order Suscipere et finire (To finish