RAF bar sweetheart brooch: Section Officer Rosemary im Thurn, Women's Auxiliary Air Force

Fourteen carat gold and enamel pin-backed brooch representing a Royal Air Force officer's pilot's qualification brevet. The central wreath has green enamel detailing, the surmounting crown red enamel. The brooch is contained in a small hinged box with domed lid, covered in brown leather with a gold tooled edge. Inside, the brooch slots into a cream velvet covered bed, while the inner lid is lined with cream satin printed in black 'LONGMAN & STRONGI'TH'ARM LD BY APPOINTMENT AND WIDDOWSON & VEALE 1, ALBERMARLE ST. PICCADILLY, W.1.'

Born at Winchester, Hampshire, England in 1917 Rosemary Belle im Thurn was one of three sisters who enlisted for service at the beginning of the Second World War. Each woman chose a different arm of service and their mother, Maud, presented them with sweetheart brooches relating to their choices. Rosemary joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force and became a section officer specialising in cipher work. This brooch reflects her service.

Their father, Lieutenant Colonel Basil im Thurn had served with distinction in the First World War and was recalled to duty in the Second. He gave each of his daughters a brooch (see REL38495) featuring the numeral '37' to reflect his lengthy service with the Hampshire Regiment, created in 1881 from the amalgamation of the 37th (North Hampshire) and 67th (South Hampshire) regiments.

Rosemary's first known romantic interest was Lieutenant John Rory Carden, a pilot in the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. He also gave her a sweetheart brooch (see REL38494). Carden died on 22 December 1941 when his ship, the aircraft escort HMS Audacity, was sunk by the German U-boat 751.

Later in the war Rosemary met RAAF navigator Flight Lieutenant Mervyn Neville Austin from 456 Squadron, the only Australian night fighter squadron. The couple were married in Winchester Cathedral on 29 April 1944. They moved to Australia in 1949 and in 1952 settled in Perth where Austin had been appointed to the chair of classics and ancient history at the University of Western Australia, a position he held until 1978. Rosemary Austin died in Canberra in 2010.