Wing Spar Fragment

Split oblong section of ash aircraft wing spar embedded with enemy bullet and held together with string. Written in ink pen is "Strut of Aeroplane, hit by enemy's bullet, Pilot-Capt. L da C. Penn-Gaskell Royal Flying Corps GREAT WAR 1915. Four small holes for metal fittings can be seen in the centre, two either side.

Penn-Gaskell was seconded to the RFC from the 3rd Battalion, the Norfolk Regiment. He served in No. 5 Squadron RFC and embarked for France on 14th August 1914. He was appointed Flight Commander on 27.4.1915, but returned to Home Establishment on 4th may 1915. Before leaving France he was clearly involved in combat as testified by this section of wing spar bearing bullet damage. Whether this was associated with an aerial combat or was damage from ground fire is unknown.