Pewter tankard with Oriental Dragon design made by Kut Hing, inscription S/Ldr William Frederick (Bill) Hoffmann RAF "A Gallant Effort ".
A stunning piece of memorable for a very brave man. The tankard was Bills and was used by him, it hang in the offices mess . After the tragedy it was inscribed and kept in the officers mess for a while and later handed to his widow.
It is not known what Bill did in the intervening years, but when War broke out in 1939 he was working for Vickers Armstrong Ltd. In Crayford, Kent as a rotary grinder. He enlisted on 22 July 1941 in the RAF Volunteer Reserve, initially at the lowest rank of Aircraftman Second class (AC2 ACH U/T Plt), was appointed a leading aircraftsman (LAC) on 2 Jan 1942 and was sent to Canada for flying training between 25 August and 31 Dec 1942.
Bill received an emergency commission to the rank of Flight Officer on 1 Jan 1943 (London Gazette 8/6/1943), Following further training in England he became a Flying Instructor, attained the rank of Flight Lieutenant, and eventually Squadron Leader.
S/SLD Bill Hoffman survived the War and was awarded the Air Force Cross in 1943. He remained in the RAF and the little family spent some time with the Allied Occupation of the Rhine (BAFO), stationed in Bad Eilsen,
Trqgedy struck on 26 August 1953 when the family were on holiday at Penzance in Cornwall. Bill saw a woman in difficulties in the water at Sennen Cove and swam out to rescue her. Reports of the accident made the national newspapers ,Joy his wife was totally bereft.
Bill was given a full military funeral at the RAF Base where he was then stationed, Weston Zoyland.
The tankard was manufactured by Kut Hing and used tricate decoration like dragons, flowers, and birds, particularly popular from the late 19th to early 20th centuries for the export market. The company, based in the city of Swatow (now Shantou), produced highly crafted pieces such as tea flasks, teapots, and tankards, often signed with the "Kut Hing Pewter Swatow" mark.
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