Bill's Belgian Medals

Unusual Medals and Artifacts

    I found this death card while at a flea market in
    Brussels. The airman shown is Francois Emile
    Désiré Vandenplassche who also served with
    the Royal Air Force during WW2.

    Jean-Luc Spaerkeer informed me that Francois
    joined 141 Nightfighter Squadron at RAF
    Wittering on November 16, 1943 flying
    Beaufighters.  He flew with a Russian refugee,
    G Mamoutoff, until that aircraft was replaced
    by the Mosquito II.

    At that time, 141 squadron was commanded by
    Wing Commander John "Bob" Braham (29 kills).


    The Squadron moved to West Raynham near
    the Wash in December 1943.  Other Belgian
    serving with 141 Squadron included Lucien
    Leboute and Pilot Officer Leon Renson.

    Francois was tragically killed in an accident in
    1953 bringing to a sad close a distinguished
    flying career.

    A superb WW2 Commemorative medal with 13 battle bars bought at Antwerp and a rare Officer of the
    Order of Leopold 2 medal with swords between the crown and the cross, similar to the military division of
    Leopold 1 Orders - but never officially sanctioned.

    In a previous Bulletin, I featured the Croix de Feu Medal - a medal worn with pride by soldiers for service
    under fire which thus entitled the recipient of the Fire Card to the Croix de Feu when it was introduced in
    1934.

    That pride extended beyond life itself, when families commissioned a bronze or copper enlarged replica of
    the Cross for mounting a a gravestone.  This was pointed out to me by a Belgian colleague only recently
    when he sent me a photo - see the picture on the right - of such a plaque from a member of his wife's
    family.

    However, I was a little surprised to have one offered to me at Wavre - see the photo above at left - and
    hence it is also now part of my collection.
Last Updated 27 November 2007