@Regranned from @theretrofactorysg - #Vintage/Antique #Binoculars possibly from the #WW1 Era Officer's Binoculars Adjustable focus The width of the eye pieces is fixed Inscription on the inside of the case lid “II Basden” “W.minster” & some numbers.. Possible address but hard to make out as much is worn away through the passage of time Research shows the son of Duncan Frederick and Margaret Hope (Figgis) Basden, 2nd Lt. Maurice Duncan Basden, 16th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles), born 12 Nov 1894, London. Promoted to 2nd Lt. on 1 Jan 1915. Received Royal Aero Club #Aviators’ Certificate 1816 on a Maurice Farman biplane at Military School, Birmingham on 4 Oct 1915. Killed in action with 27 Squadron, flying Martinsyde G100 (7278), on 20 May 1916, Flanders. Cemetery: Y Farm #Military Cemetery, Bois-Grenier, France He was the first combat loss on a Martinsyde. TSTBF says combat with a Roland, ftl and then shelled, but in The 'Elephants' of Twenty Seven by Paul Leaman (C&C Int Vol 30/1) in the table of all the G100's & G102's, it has this to say about 7278 - Basden brought down by artillery in German lines thought not to have been seriously wounded but killed (probably) by German shellfire. in Reports on #aeroplane and personnel casualties, 1 April to 31 May #1916 (AIR1/843/204/5/369), it says 'Brought down out of control in #combat with Roland and destroyed by artly Sh36 S16CD during patrol.' in #Pilot and observer casualties, RFC France, 1 June #1915 to 30 September 1916 (AIR1/967/204/5/1097), it says 'Shot down by Roland #biplane at Lorgies on patrol and killed after landing by British artillery.' Both sources agree that #Basden was forced to land following a combat with a Roland, but as to whose artillery was actually responsible for destroying his machine and bringing about his death, is unclear. #VintageSG #FleaSG #VintageSG #FleaSG #vintagefleamarket #Alistsg #VintageMarket #FleaMarketSG #sgflea #sgfleamarket #sgshopping #VisitSingapore #sgevents #ExploringSingapore #ExploreSG #Singapore #instasg #igsg #Sgig (at Katong)
