Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Zeppelin Relic, an ‘X’ shaped fragment of aluminium, approx. 100 x 100mm., the two pieces joined by aluminium rivets; a card label, 53 x 83mm., attached to the piece by ribbon reads, ‘A Portion of the Zeppelin brought down in Essex, September 23rd, 1916. Guaranteed Genuine. Sold in aid of British Red Cross at the “Daily Sketch” Needlework Exhibition, 7-10 November 1916.’, good condition £60-80

On 23 September 1916 11 naval zeppelins departed their base in Germany for a raid on England. Eight of them were to attack targets between the Wash and the Humber, three were to attack London. These were the L.31 commanded by Mathy, L.32 commanded by Peterson and L.33 commanded by Böcker. Proceeding individually, the L.31 under the redoubtable Mathy successfully bombed London and returned to base. Peterson, skirting to the south and east of London was attacked by the B.E.2c of Second Lieutenant F. Sowry, R.F.C. and was brought down a flaming wreck, falling to earth at Snail’s Farm, Great Burstead, south of Billericay, Essex. The end of L.33 commanded by Böcker was more farcical. After dropping bombs on East London his zeppelin was badly damaged by gunfire from the ground and further damaged in the air by the B.E.2c of Second Lieutenant A. de Bathe Brandon, R.F.C. Managing to loose the aircraft, Böcker and his crew desperately jettisoned whatever they could to maintain height. Crossing the coast at West Mersea, Essex it became obvious that the zeppelin was doomed and Böcker, preferring a hard landing to a wet one, turned and landed in a field between Little Wigborough and Peldon, to the N.E. of West Mersea. The ship caught fire but Böcker and his crew were able to escape. Marching off towards Peldon, they encountered Special Constable Edgar Nicholas on his bicycle. Politely asking the way to Colchester did not fool constable and they were promptly arrested. The wrecks of L.32 and 33 were placed under guard and a fee was charged to view them, the proceeds going to the Red Cross.