Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 6007 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 376

A Rare Waziristan Operations 1925 D.F.M. to Corporal R.W.R. Robins, Royal Air Force; Who was Killed During a Practice Flight, in Egypt, 1927 Distinguished Flying Medal G.V.R., 1st ´coinage head´ type (86779. Cpl. R.W.R. Robins. R.A.F.), suspension loose, very fine, with Pilot´s Flying Log Book (14.8.1926-19.7.1927), Second Class Certificate of Education, dated 29.1.1918, letters of condolence addressed to recipient´s mother in Plymouth, photographs and several newspaper cuttings Estimate £ 3,000-3,500 D.F.M. London Gazette 20.11.1925 ´For Operations in Waziristan 9.3.1925-1.5.1925´ Corporal Reginald William Richard Robins, D.F.M., enlisted as Boy Apprentice Royal Air Force, 1915 ; after being awarded his D.F.M. for Waziristan and Mentioned in Despatches he was one of two N.C.O´s selected from one hundred candidates to undergo a course of instruction as pilots, and as such he was posted to No. 4 Flying Training School, Abu-Sueir, Egypt; he completed his first solo flight in an Avro, 18.10.1926; Robins had just passed out successfully and was awaiting his appointment to commissioned rank when on 19.7.1927 he was ´carrying out a practice flight from Abukir to Abu Sueir, and quite shortly after he had left the aerodrome he appeared to lose control of his aircraft, which dived into the ground, death was absolutely instantaneous. The lad had always been reported on by his Flight Commander in a most favourable manner and although he had lost about nine weeks tuition by being on leave, he passed in all his examinations exceptionally well, and I can assure you Madam, he will be a very great loss to the Service, not only from a point of view of his own ability in his work but also from the fact that he was extremely popular and beloved by all his comrades.´ (Letter from Squadron Leader J.C.P. Woods, No. 4 Flying Training School to recipient´s mother, refers); Corporal Robins is buried in Chatley Cemetery, Egypt.

Sold for
£3,000