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King George V's War Museum

A collection displayed at Windsor Castle by George V following the First World War

BRITISH RED CROSS

Reworked fragments of airship wire

1916

RCIN 69456

Airship SL11 was shot down by Lieutenant William Leefe Robinson at Cuffley, Hertfordshire in the early hours of 3 September 1916. Although commonly thought to be a Zeppelin, SL11 was actually a Schütte-Lanz airship. This was the first airship to be brought down on English soil and Robinson was awarded the Victoria Cross for his achievement. The following day brought the madness of 'Zepp Sunday'. News of the victory quickly spread and over the next two days 10,000 people travelled to the village of Cuffley to see the fallen airship.

The public were not officially allowed to take pieces of the airship themselves, under the Defence of the Realm Act. Instead, the War Office gave the British Red Cross Society vast quantities of wire from the wreck to be made into brooches, bracelets, rings and cuff links which were sold for the benefit of the Society's funds. 

SL11 caught in the beams of searchlights©
SL11 descending to the ground after being shot down©

    The income from your ticket contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.