Hammer

£1,100

Airship interest – a Gents 9ct Gold cased open face pocket watch by Benson, hallmarked Birmingham 1924. White dial with black roman numerals and subsidiary second dial at 6 o’clock. Approx 48mm dia. Total weight 90.1g. In its original case. Working when catalogued. Engraved inside ‘Presented by the Air Council to Jack N. Potter H.M. Airship R.33 April 16-17 1925’. With a photocopy of the 1962 newspaper article, Mr Potter was on board the R33 when it broke free from its moorings and was responsible for pumping petrol from one tank to another to keep the airship on an even keel. Civilians were awarded the gold pocket watches and servicemen got medals. His brother Wally had previously lost his life as an engineer on the R101