A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars

Three: Second Lieutenant (Pilot) W. J. McConnochie, No. 5 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, killed in action on 8 November 1915

1914-15 Star (2. Lieut., R.F.C.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut.); together with memorial plaque (William Jamieson McConnochie); and an attractive hand painted portrait miniature of recipient, painted on ivory, in its original gilt metal glazed frame, and leather covered, fitted storage case, the medals and plaque mounted on a contemporary velvet lined, fitted display board, nearly extremely fine and an early R.F.C. casualty (4) £700-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars.

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William Jamieson McConnochie was born on 6 July 1888, and educated at Merchiston Castle School. He was killed in action, together with his Observer, Lieutenant G. F. Harvey on 8 November 1915, whilst flying a B.E.2c over the Western Front. Both he and his Observer are buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge, Belgium.

The following is extracted from a combat report submitted by McConnochie, four days prior to his death, on 4 November 1915: ‘Whilst over U18, an Aviatik, coming from the north appeared about 300ft. above us. We engaged it, and when it had passed overhead, firing, we were attacked by a Fokker, which approached from the south, about 100ft. above us, and dived past us firing, to about 100ft. below and 200ft. to our left. We fired at it. While doing this we heard the biplane firing at us, very distinctly, from above. We turned and fired at it, and it went away to the south. We saw the monoplane again below us and fired at it again. It banked vertically and side slipped and disappeared out of sight. We were then at 7,000ft., and anti-aircraft guns re-opened fire at us. We made for our lines to regain height to complete reconnaissance. Rear spar 1 shot through, rudder frame shot through, 3 bullet holes in rudder and 1 in plane.’