This item is part of A Gentleman's Collection; A Comprehensive Selection of 20th Century American Gallantry & Casualty Awards. Click Here to view all items in this collection.
United Kingdom. 1939-1945 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; and War Medal 1939-1945. Mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, replacement ribbons, all medals tarnished, very fine condition; Miniature tankard, silver, with lid and swan handle, lid top engraved “Presented to THE OFFICERS No.1. Indian Wing Station, KOHAT BY FLIGHT LIEUT. G.J. Hanley”, makers mark for Mappin & Webb, hallmarks for “Birmingham, 1929-1930” on outside edge, “Birmingham, 1929-1930” on inside lid, stamped “K” on bottom inside rim, missing glass bottom, lightly tarnished, very fine condition; WWII Royal Air Force Officer’s Cap Badge, gold and silver bullion, gilt medal eagle, padded crown, covered in maroon wool, on black wool base with reinforced baker, 64x71.8mm, wear on crown, loose threads around edge, near very fine
condition. Footnote: Flight Lieutenant Gerard Joseph Hanley (proper spelling Hanly) was part of the British RAF, stationed in the Medical Branch of the Middle East in 1935. He served as a Flight Lieutenant from 1926 until 1934 when he was promoted to Squadron Leader. At the time of his death, August 6, 1942, he was a Group Captain. No. 1 Indian Wing Station, located in Peshawar was originally commissioned as an operational airfield in 1922. During the Second World War, the RAF and IAF used Kohat as a resting station between deployments on the Burma Front. This was the first station to be commanded by an officer of the IAF, Subroto Mukerjee, in August 1943.