The I.G.S. 1908-35 Medal with 'Waziristan 1921-24' clasp awarded to Flying Officer B. J. O'C...

The I.G.S. 1908-35 Medal with ‘Waziristan 1921-24’ clasp awarded to Flying Officer B. J. O’C. ‘Jimmy’ Hanstock, 31 Squadron, Royal Air Force, who was killed in an accident whilst flying a de Havilland Dragon Rapide from Heston to Redhill Aerodrome, 26 June 1935 India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1921-24 (F/O. B. J. O’ Connor-Hanstock. R.A.F.) nearly extremely fine £200-£300 --- Brendon John O’Connor Hanstock was born in Cork, Ireland in February 1903. He was educated at Castlenock College, Dublin, and was commissioned Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force in July 1921. Hanstock carried out initial flying training and was posted as Flying Officer and pilot for service with 31 Squadron on the North West Frontier between 1923 and 1924. He transferred to the Reserve in December 1924, and was employed by the Anglo-American Oil Company from 1926. Hanstock was appointed Manager of the Aviation Department of the Anglo-American Oil Company in 1929, and married the widow of Lieutenant Colonel G. L. P. Henderson, M.C., A.F.C. (who had been killed in a flying accident on 21 July 1930) in 1931. The marriage was short-lived, with the couple divorcing in March 1935 - not long before Hanstock also was killed in a flying accident on 26 June 1935. On the latter date he had been flying a de Havilland Dragon Rapide from Heston to Redhill. Hanstock was making a side-slip landing through a gap between some trees at the end of Redhill Aerodrome, when he slipped his starboard wing right into the ground, the trees having caused him to make an error in judgement. The nose of the aircraft was severely damaged when he turned over, causing him fatal injuries. Hanstock died later the same day at the East Surrey Hospital, and his funeral took place at the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, Effingham. Sold with copied research, and two photographic images of recipient.