Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War M.B.E. group of four attributed to Flight Officer Constance A. Hand, Women’s Auxiliary Air Force

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type, lady’s shoulder badge, silver, on lady’s bow riband; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, very fine and better (4) £140-£180

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Norman Gooding Collection.

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M.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1946.

The original recommendation states: ‘Acting Flight Officer C. A. Hand (2550), 107 Maintenance Unit. Flight Officer Hand has, for over a year, held the appointment of Senior W.A.A.F. ‘G’ Officer at this Unit, a combined Equipment Holding and Repair Maintenance Unit which has a considerable number of airwomen on its strength. It has been largely due to her excellent example, sympathy and tact that such a good spirit exists among both British and locally enlisted airwomen who mix freely at the Unit. In addition, her interest in the welfare, living conditions and comfort of the personnel has been most marked and of valuable assistance to her Commanding Officer. Flight Officer Hand’s untiring energy in promoting interest in the Arts and Crafts circle and the help she has given in organising the Group Arts and Crafts exhibition have also been noteworthy. Her unselfish efforts have greatly contributed to the success of the scheme which has been the means of forming a practical foundation for vocational training in the E. V. T. Scheme in all Units of the Group.’

Constance Alice Hand was born in Salisbury in 1904 and appointed Assistant Section Officer on probation in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force on 29 August 1941. Raised Acting Flight Officer whilst in North Africa, she was released from the service in 1946.

Sold with the original named O.H.M.S. box of issue lid for medals, with typed label: ‘Flt/Off C. A. Hand, 20, St. Leonards Road, West Hove 3. Sussex.’; a photograph of the recipient and her husband in later life given to the vendor by Mrs. Valerie Freeman, sister-in-law, details hand written to reverse; medal award slip and copied research.