A Great War bronze memorial plaque – the ‘Death Penny’ – awarded to Violet Porter, Women’s Royal Air Force is estimated at £4000-5000 in the Spink auction on November 27-28.
Such plaques are incredibly rare: more than a million were awarded to men who lost their lives during the conflict, but less than 600 were issued to the women.
Born in 1899, Porter joined up in January 1918 and possibly served at an aircraft repair depot. She died on Armistice Day, November 11, 1918, circumstances unknown, and is buried at Kensal Green Cemetery in north-west London.
