Hansons Auctioneers and Valuers
Lot 137
An unusual and scarce WW1 era large bronze memorial plaque, named to Captain Christopher Francis Aden Ley (1893-1918). Of oval form, cast in bronze with raised lettering. The badges of the 2 regiments are also cast in relief. The makers mark of F.Osborn & Co Ltd, London, who were known to have been memorial makers during this era. Captain Ley was the son of Sir Francis Ley 1st Baronet of Leaholm Lodge in York. Notes: Ley was gazetted as a 2nd Lt in the South Nottinghamshire Yeomanry in September 1914. He’d attained the rank of Lt by September 1917, and was given his Captaincy by November 1917. He notably served in the Gallipoli campaign from August to November 1915, and was invalided home with typhoid. He joined the Royal Flying Corps in August 1916, and was later injured during a flight in 1917. Captain Ley was killed in flying accident in 1918 while taking part in a exhibition flight on a fundraising Tank Day. At time he was attached to 40th training squadron (from the Notts Hussars), and was flying his Sopwith Camel when his misjudged a dive and struck a house. He was killed instantly in the crash. Christopher is commemorated at several places in the U.K. (along with his brother, Maurice, who was also killed in action). The circumstances as to where this plaque came from are uncertain. It is known that his father was a factory owner, and did have a memorial to his younger son mounted in the building. Captain Ley died after his father, and it remains a mystery as to where this plaque would have been sited, or if it is a ‘spare’ example. Approximately 60cm x 35.5cm - weight 8.2 kilos. Condition: generally good. patinated weathered finish where the bronze has been subjected to the elements, Given the weight of the item, pick up is strongly recommended.
