Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Second Lieutenant E. Brandon, Royal Air Force, who was killed in action over the Western Front on 11 August 1918

British War and Victory Medals (2/Lieut. E. Brandon. R.A.F.) edge bruising, traces of acid cleaning to first, therefore nearly very fine and better (2) £140-£180

Edgar Brandon was born in Bedford and was educated at Bedford Grammar School. ‘At the age of 21 he went to Tasmania, and remained there until 1913. He then went to Ceylon, where he was for some years with the Ceylon and Indian Planters’ Company. He obtained a year’s leave to come home, but it took him five months to reach England, where he landed in October 1917. He was in the Inns of Court O.T.C. for a time, and then got a commission in the Royal Air Force as an Observer. He had been at the front only a few weeks when he was killed.’ (the recipient’s obituary in Flight magazine refers).

Posted to 9 Squadron, Brandon was killed in action on 11 August 1918 when his BE8, piloted by Captain Richard Hilton, was involved in bombing enemy positions. The combat report from his flight states: ‘3-25 lb bombs, 50 Rounds (V) and 100 Rounds (L) on troops in entrances to dugouts along valley. These troops disappeared rapidly but all three bombs fell among dugout entrances. 3-25 lb bombs and 100 Rounds (L) on massed enemy infantry in rough ground. Heavy fire encountered from trench system and much rifle fire. Observer killed.’

Brandon is buried in Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, France.

Sold together with a copy of the book ‘Nine Lives’, by the recipient’s pilot, Richard Hilton; and much copied research