The Roy Bartlett Collection of Awards to the R.N.A.S., R.F.C. and R.A.F.

An interesting collection of memorabilia associated with Captain William Leefe Robinson, V.C., the first R.F.C. pilot to bring down a Zeppelin over England, at Cuffley, Hertfordshire on 3 September 1916

A set of dress miniature medals, comprising Victoria Cross; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals, believed to have once been in possession of Leefe Robinson’s family

Embroidered R.F.C. “Wings”, believed to have been removed from one of Leefe Robinson’s uniform tunics, somewhat worn

An 18ct. white gold R.F.C. sweetheart’s brooch, believed to have been given by Leefe Robinson to Joan Whipple on their engagement

Other assorted memorabilia added to the collection by Roy Bartlett, including two examples of “Zeppelin Wire”, as taken from the wreckage at Cuffley and given to the British Red Cross Society to raise funds; a white metal ring believed to have been fashioned from similar material from the Cuffley wreckage; R.F.C. metalled cap badge and lapel badge; a series of Great War vintage postcards marking Leefe Robinson’s achievement and a copy of the Daily Mirror, Monday 4 September 1916, with front page feature (Lot) £1000-1500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Roy Bartlett Collection of Awards to the R.N.A.S., R.F.C. and R.A.F..

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Provenance: As acknowledged in the catalogue prepared by Christie’s at the time of the sale of Leefe Robinson’s V.C. on 22 November 1988, Roy Bartlett gifted the latter’s original 1914-15 Star Trio to the vendor, Mrs. Regina G. Libin (Leefe Robinson’s niece), in order to assist her “Medal for Life” charitable trust. Bartlett had purchased the Trio in good faith in 1976, and it is believed that the above described miniature dress medals, embroidered R.F.C. “Wings” and R.F.C. sweetheart’s brooch formed part of that acquisition; sold with the original Christie’s receipt for the Trio, signed by Regina Libin and Roy Bartlett, and dated 8 September 1988.