British, WWII, Defence Medal in Original Air Ministry Box, Addressed to Mrs R. E. Lowe, Likely RAF Officer’s Medal or Possible WAAF Recipient, Bournemouth
*British, WWII, Defence Medal in Original Air Ministry Box, Addressed to Mrs R. E. Lowe, Likely RAF Officer’s Medal or Possible WAAF Recipient, Bournemouth*
A fine original example of the WWII Defence Medal (1939–1945), complete with its Air Ministry named box of issue. The box is addressed to Mrs. R. E. Lowe, Sunny House, 4 Queens Park Gardens, Bournemouth, Dorset.
Research suggests this medal was most likely awarded to Flying Officer (later Flight Lieutenant) R. E. Lowe, service number 100029, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR), General Duties Branch, with seniority from May 1942 and promotion to Flight Lieutenant in May 1943. In such cases, it was common for medals to be sent to a home address in the care of a spouse.
However, it remains possible — though less likely given available records — that Mrs. R. E. Lowe herself may have been the actual recipient, potentially serving in a civilian or auxiliary capacity, such as in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) or other home defence roles. The Defence Medal was widely awarded to women for qualifying non-operational service in the UK during the war.
No evidence has been found indicating that R. E. Lowe (RAFVR) died during the war, suggesting he likely survived, but without full service record confirmation, both hypotheses remain open to further research.
The Defence Medal was awarded for non-operational service, including vital RAF home defence and support duties during the Blitz and throughout the conflict. The medal features King George VI on the obverse and a crowned oak sapling flanked by lions on the reverse, with its distinctive green and orange ribbon symbolising Britain’s green fields under attack and the blackout conditions.
*Condition*
The medal remains in good overall condition with its original ribbon, showing minor age-related marks. The Air Ministry box exhibits creasing and edge wear but retains all original printed and typed address details, greatly enhancing its historical interest. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
