Now I can close this thread. Thanks to David Barnes who guided me correctly through AIR 79 (in contrast to TNA staff who had learned the opposite use of the index), I have found George’s record. He did not serve overseas – hence no medal. He went on to gain a Pilot 1st Class qualification in August 1916, but was classified under the trade of Car Driver – maybe he didn’t want to fly at the Front, or maybe the RFC didn’t want him to, who knows? On 21 Dec 1917 he was disrated as a pilot, and I’d guess it was because he simply wasn’t getting the flying hours.

Somehow he managed to fracture his skull, and was discharged 16 Nov 1918 as medically unfit with a six week pension.

I also now have his marriage certificate and the service record notes he married “without leave”!

Thank you all for your help.
Maggie