Boadicea. Documents and photos concerning Alfred Cecil Thomas, pilot on the "Boadicea" who died when the plane disappeared over the Channel, comprising 1900 birth certificate, 1918 first class certificate of proficiency in radiotelegraphy granted by the Postmaster General, 1920 USA commercial first grade radio operator licence, 1933 letters of recommendation in support of an application for employment by Imperial Airways from officers in the 600 City of London (Bomber) Squadron Auxiliary Air Force, 1934 Imperial Airways terms and conditions of employment, photographs of Thomas (9, four taken in front of Imperial Airways aircraft with other crew or passengers), 1937 obituary from the magazine of Holloway School, etc. In March 1936 Thomas was pilot of the first aeroplane to carry mail to Hong Kong, one of the photos showing him at the end of that flight in front of "Dorado". A unique group. (19).

Kenya. 1936 Cover from Shoreham by Sea to Nairobi, the stamp washed off, handstamped violet "DELAYED SALVED / FROM BOADICEA", the reverse with French Officially Sealed labels and the red cachet "SERVICE POSTAL FRANCAIS / Correspondance retardee par suite / du naufrage d'un Avion / Reconstitué par le Service Francais / NE PAS TAXER" with a Nairobi arrival c.d.s (Nov 9). A fine and scarce cover to Kenya, from the first mail bag washed up at Cucq. Photo on Page 6. (Image1)

Kenya. 1936 (Sep 25) Long cover, with enclosed letters, from London to Nairobi with violet "DELAYED SALVED / FROM BOADICEA" and red "SERVICE POSTAL FRANCAIS / Correspondance retardee par suite / du naufrage d'un Avion / Reconstitué par le service Francais / NE PAS TAXER", reverse with French cachet, Nairobi arrival c.d.s (Nov 9). Small piece missing from lower right corner and water damage at left, a fine and scarce cover from the first mail bag washed up at Cucq.

South Africa. 1936 (Sep 25) Long cover from London (mirror image of datestamp on reverse) to South Africa, the stamps washed off, handstamped red "SERVICE POSTAL FRANCAIS / Correspondance retardee par suite / du naufrage d'un Avion / Reconstitué par le service Francais / NE PAS TAXER", reverse with French Officially Sealed labels. Also two real photos of the Boadicea, and eight contemporary newspaper cuttings. (11).

India. 1936 (Sep 25) Cover from London to Lahore, India, bearing KGV 1½d vertical pair, water damaged with further stamps washed off, forwarded within a London R.L.S ambulance envelope with the enclosed explanatory slip "The accompanying packet which was / washed ashore on the coast of England / was apparently conveyed by the Imperial / Airways Airplane "Boadicea" which left / Croydon on the 25th September and failed / to arrive at Paris. / The inconvenience occasioned is / regretted. / Returned Letter Section / Mount Pleasant / "E.C.1"", with arrival backstamp (Nov 24). A scarce cover to India, from the second mailbag found at Dymchurch.

Australia. 1936 Picture postcard from London to Sydney, water stained and damaged with the stamp soaked off, bearing the explanatory label "The accompanying packet which was / washed ashore on the coast of England / was apparently conveyed by the Imperial / Airways Airplane "Boadicea" which left / Croydon on the 25th September and failed / to arrive at Paris. / The inconvenience is / regretted. / Returned Letter Section / Mount Pleasant / "E.C.1"", with a London R.L.S ambulance envelope (vertical fold) in which it was forwarded to Australia. A scarce card, from the second mailbag found at Dymchurch. (2). Photo on Page 6. (Image1)