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

Three: Second Lieutenant (Observer) T. D. O’Brien, No. 6 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, formerly 16th (The Queen’s) Lancers, killed whilst flying, 3 March 1916

1914 Star, with copy clasp (2. Lieut., 16/Lrs.)); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut.); together with memorial plaque (Terence Donough O’Brien) contained in an attractive double-fronted, hinged, velvet lined display case, with ivorene label inscribed ‘2nd Lieut. T. D. O’Brien, 16th Lancers and R.F.C.’, extremely fine and a most attractive display (4) £600-700

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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Terence Donough O’Brien was born in 1896, and educated at Winchester College, and R.M.C. Sandhurst. He obtained his commission in August 1914, and was posted to the 16th Lancers, being sent to France the following October., where he ‘rendered good service near Zillebeke in February 1915 when his regiment suffered heavy losses.’ In September 1915 he joined the R.F.C. as an Observer, being killed on 3 March 1916, when his Pilot, 2nd Lieut. R. A. Pierpoint made an abortive landing after returning from a reconnaissance mission. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.

A copy of the following ‘Combats in The Air’ report is included with the lot, this combat report being submitted in O’Brien’s own hand: ‘Date, 21.9.15; time, 1:30p.m.; Pilot, 2nd Lieut. Grey Edwards; Observer, 2nd Lieut. T. D. O’Brien; locality, Polygon Wood; duty, photographing. When proceeding in an easterly direction over I.8. we noticed a German machine approaching. On firing half a drum the enemy machine turned away. I opened fire at a range of 200 yards and ceased fire owing to extended range and the fact that the pilot was about to take a photograph. The German machine flew away towards Menin and did not appear again. It was noticed that on approaching the lines this time our machine was not fired at by anti-aircraft though on previous occasions the firing had been heavy. There were no markings on the upper plane of the German machine.’