Martel Maides Auctions
Lot 757
First World War Royal Flying Corps interest - The 2nd Lieutenant Leslie Reed Blacking archive Leslie Reed Blacking served initially with the London Rifle Brigade and in the summer of 1918, at the age of 19, was sent to serve in the Royal Flying Corps with 207 squadron, where his task was to fly Handley Page 0/400 night bombers on raids behind the German lines. Later he became a heavy bomber pilot with the R.A.F. on the first Allied strategic bombing operations. After the war he went out to Hong Kong in banking; he also came to know Penang, Ipoh and Singapore well. His career was with the Bank of India, in China, Malaya and the United States, where he was manager of the New York branch during the 2nd World War. He maintained his contacts with banking and aviation, attending an annual dinner in the RAF Club and his bank’s annual gathering for former employees. He died at the age of 82. This archive comprises a fascinating collection of personal possessions, medals, ephemera and photographs, including the following: 1. A bar of four medals – Two of the 1st War, George V Efficiency Service Medal (Karachi Corps) and Elizabeth 2nd Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Medal, together with the corresponding miniature dress medals. 2. Silver mounted swagger stick 3. Silver mounted Tortoiseshell brooch inlaid with the insignia of the London Rifle Brigade 4. A box of insignia and uniform badges pertaining to the London Rifle Brigade, the Royal Flying Corps, the Royal Air Force and his “Dog Tags”. 5. An Album containing photographs of his early career in the R.F.C. including some of himself, uniformed colleagues and others of aircraft, some of which are shown after crash landing. 6. Several envelopes containing family papers, including Marriage Certificates, Death Certificates, Wills and letters to and from family members and business acquaintances. 7. A copy of a biographical novel written from his thoughts and memories by his friend and author, Humphrey Wynn, entitled, “Darkness Shall Cover Me”. Subtitled, Night Bombing over the Western Front. Together with the original typescript of the book, when provisionally entitled, “Peradventure the Darkness”, which contains a handwritten letter from the author to Monica, Leslie Blacking’s daughter. 8. A print entitled “Last Post”, presented to him during his visit to Ypres, 22nd April 1972, signed by the donor, F. Vandevoorde, O.B.E.
