Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Zeppelin Relic, five small fragments of aluminium and one of wire contained in a Red Cross packet, 80 x 48mm., which reads, ‘Guarantee. This is a piece of the wire of the first Zeppelin brought down at Cuffley, Herts, September 3rd, 1916. The wire having been given to the British Red Cross by H.M. War Office, it is being sold to help the wounded at the front. Price 1/-.’, good condition £50-70

On the night of 3 September a force of 16 Army and Navy Zeppelins made for England. An army wooden framed Schutte Lanz dirigible was attacked and destroyed by Lieutenant William Leefe Robinson of 39 Squadron, R.F.C., the wreck falling to earth at Cuffley, Hertfordshire. Robinson was awarded the Victoria Cross (London Gazette 5 September 1916) for this action - the first zeppelin to be shot down in air combat.