An early and rare Great War ‘Defence of Great Britain’ M.C. group

An early and rare Great War ‘Defence of Great Britain’ M.C. group of four awarded to Captain R. C. L. Holme, Royal Flying Corps, late Somerset Light Infantry, who distinguished himself in the fight against raiding Zeppelins with 39 (Home Defence) Squadron, alongside such pilots as ‘Bomber’ Harris and William Leefe-Robinson. Transferring to 33 Squadron, Holme crashed on take-off whilst attempting to intercept one of the 16 airships intent on raiding London - one of which, SL11, was shot down by Leefe-Robinson during his V.C. winning exploits on 2-3 September 1916. Holme suffered badly both physically and mentally as a result of his crash - having to be removed from underneath his burning aircraft. Despite these setbacks, he went on to be posted to France as a Flight Commander with 29 Squadron and gained ‘Ace’ status in SE.5a single seater fighters during 1918. Holme survived the War, only to tragically die as a result of injuries and burns sustained as a passenger in a Vickers Vernon which crashed in Baghdad in October 1922 Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. R. C. L. Holme. Som. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. R. C. L. Holme. R.A.F.)) mounted court-style for display, generally very fine or better (4) £2,400-£2,800.

Estimate:$3,214.85

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