A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars

The memorial plaque to Second Lieutenant (Pilot) K. D. Handel, No 53 Squadron, Royal Air Force, killed whilst flying on 25 June 1918

Memorial Plaque (Kenneth Douglas Handel); together with R.F.C. cloth wings; two collar badges, two shoulder pips; two wound stripes; and a small piece of shrapnel, this in an attractive gold mount for wear on a chain, all these items displayed in a glazed fitted case with khaki backing; together with a large studio portrait photograph of recipient in flying gear, on board, 47 c.m. by 60 c.m., with paper label below printed with biographical details, extremely fine (9) £150-200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars.

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Kenneth Douglas Handel was born in 1894, and educated at Ilminster Grammar School. He joined the R.F.C. on 1 September 1915, as a wireless operator, proceeding to France in March 1916 attached in this capacity to a Field Battery. He was severely wounded, and on recovering from these wounds was granted a commission in the Royal Flying Corps, with whom he trained to be a pilot. On completing his training he was posted to France on 1 June 1918. He was killed on 25 June 1918 when returning from patrol duty he ran out of petrol, forcing him to make a bad landing. His observer (2nd Lieutenant H. Dyson) was injured but survived. Second Lieutenant Handel is buried at Aire Communal Cemetery, France.