A Pilot and early South African Aviation Pioneer's, medal group  of 4 for Great War East Africa Campaign, Egyptian Service, and in uniform again for the Second World War: Captain Frederick Wilhelm Kurtz

- British War Medal. Silver issue (317078. F/Cadet. F. W. Kurtz. R.A.F.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (317078. F/Cadet. F. W. Kurtz. R.A.F.)
- War Medal 1939-45 (202902 F. W. Kurtz)
- Union of South Africa: Africa Service Medal (202902 F. W. Kurtz)

Note the scarce seen 'Flying Cadet' rank impressed on the British issues of the Great War Medals

Medals Verification: The recipient 'Imperial' issue Great War medals are confirmed as entitled per below cited sources. Second World War medal rolls for campaign and war service medals awarded to South African forces, are not digitally accessible as of 2026:

- British War Medal. Silver issue. Recipients extant British Royal Air Force, Airmen's Service Records refer
- Interallied Victory Medal. British Royal Air Force, Airmen's Service Records
- War Medal 1939-45. Award criteria was 28 days uniformed service 1939-45. Service number in block allocated to S.A.A.F. Depot
- Union of South Africa: Africa Service Medal. For 30 days continuous uniform service 1939-45. Service number in block allocated to S.A.A.F. Depot

Frederick Wilhem Kurtz was a native of Keiskama Hoek, Eastern Cape Colony, South Africa, where he was bon on 8 August 1894. He originally attested as a Private soldier in the 5th Infantry (Kaffrarian Rifles) in 1913, but took his discharge in 1914. Attesting next at Roberts Heights (Pretoria) as a Private, no. MT6173, S.A.S.C. Mechanical Transport on 21 May 1917, he served on operations in German East Africa, before taking his discharge from the Army in order to re-attest in the Royal Flying Corps on 13 February 1918. Commissioned temporary Second Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force, he was released on 7 April 1919., and was later appointed a Second Lieutenant in the South African Air Force Special Reserve of Flying Officers in 1927, being permitted to wear the South African Air Force ‘Wings’. Appointed Lieutenant in the South African Air Force, Active Citizen Force, on 26 June 1940, he was appointed acting Captain on 1 July 1940, and was promoted temporary Captain on 7 April 1941. He was released from full-time service with the Union Defence Forces in order to resume duties with the Railways and Harbours on 30 April 1944

Supplementing the above notes, we have found the below biographical entry taken from, which shows that on his return to South Africa post 1919, that he was an early Pilot Instructor and pioneer of South African civil aviation '1933 Who's Who in British Aviation' (1933)' refers;

Quote,

KURTZ, Frederick William South African Air Force, Special Reserve b.: 8 Aug., 1894. Served 1915-18 with King's African Rifles (sic) and R.A.F.; Instructor at Heliopolis and Aboukir 1918; Founder and Hon. Pilot Instructor of East London Light Aero Club; 2nd in Aerial Derby, Cape Town 1929. Club: East London Aero. Add.: 1, Allenby Road, Selborne, East London, S.A. T.: 3795

Unquote

The medals mounted for display on card backing

Condition: GVF

Code: 25980