Guest kev7dags1 Posted 9 July , 2006 Share Posted 9 July , 2006 Hello I am currently trying to find out any info on a Capt Vivian Hugh Nicholas Wadham of the RFC. I think he was KIA in 1916 but I'm very vague on him and have come up against a brick wall in my research. Many thanks for any info at all Kev Neal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 9 July , 2006 Share Posted 9 July , 2006 Presumably he is this man: Name: WADHAM, VIVIAN HUGH NICHOLAS Initials: V H N Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Captain Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps Unit Text: 15th Sqdn. Secondary Regiment: Hampshire Regiment Secondary Unit Text: and 1st Bn. Age: 24 Date of Death: 17/01/1916 Additional information: Son of Hugh Davison Wadham and Mabel Emily Wadham, of Thamesfield, Shepperton, Middx. One of the 34 Pilots who flew from Salisbury Plain to France on 12th Aug., 1914; attached, at that time, to the 3rd Sqdn. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: LXII. C. 5. Cemetery: TYNE COT CEMETERY http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...casualty=465004 Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cnock Posted 9 July , 2006 Share Posted 9 July , 2006 Hello Key Neal, Tyne Cot Grave of Captain Vivian WADHAM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Lewis Posted 9 July , 2006 Share Posted 9 July , 2006 Kev Information taken from The Royal Flying Corps Casualties and Honours During the War 1914-1917 published August 1917 "Captain Vivian Hugh Nicholas Wadham R.F.C. and 1st Btn Hampshire Regiment killed in action in Flanders over the German lines on February 17th 1916 was aged 24,eldest son of Mr and Mrs Hugh D.Wadham of Thamesfield Shepperton-on-Thames. He entered the Hampshire Regiment from the Special Reserve in June 1914 and was promoted lieutenant in the following December. In May he was appointed flight commander in the Military Wing of the R.F.C. with the temporary rank of Capatain" Regards Doug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cnock Posted 9 July , 2006 Share Posted 9 July , 2006 Captain Vivian WADHAM was one of the first to cross the Channel in August 1914. He had got his Royal Aero Club certificate on 16/7/1912. WADHAM, when Flight Cdr 15 Sqn, was brought down in BE2c nr.2105 on 17/1/1916 near Passendale (see attach. ), probably by Warrant Officer Krause and Leutnant von Lersner of Kagohl 1. WADHAM was killed, and his observer, Sergeant PIPER was taken prisoner. Regards, Cnock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cnock Posted 9 July , 2006 Share Posted 9 July , 2006 Hello, Another pic of the same scene. Forgot to say that it was in an a plane (3rd Sqn), that he was one of the first to cross the Chanel towards France. BE2c 2105, was of a batch built by Daimler (90 h.p.) Regards, Cnock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 9 July , 2006 Share Posted 9 July , 2006 From the London Gazette: LG 3-10-1911 5th Battalion, The King's Royal Rifle Corps, Vivian Hugh Nicholas Wadham, late Cadet Sergeant, Malvern College Contingent, Officers Training Corps, to be Second Lieutenant (on probation). Dated 18th September, 1911. http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType= LG 7-2-1913 5th Battalion,. The King's Royal Rifle Corps, Second Lieutenant (on probation) Vivian H. N. Wadham is confirmed in his rank. http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType= LG 21-2-1913 ROYAL FLYING CORPS. Military Wing, Second Lieutenant Vivian H. N. Wadham, 5th Battalion, The King's Royal Rifle Corps, to be a Flying Officer, and to be seconded. Dated 5th December, 1912 http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType= LG 6-4-1915 THE HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT The undermentioned Second Lieutenants to be temporary Lieutenants: — Dated 31st October, 1914. V. H. N. Wadham. http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType= LG 7-6-1915 ESTABLISHMENTS. ROYAL FLYING CORPS. Military Wing. The undermentioned appointments are made: — Flight Commanders— From Flying Officers— Dated 25th May, 1915. Lieutenant Vivian H. N. Wadham, The Hampshire Regiment, and to be temporary Captain whilst so employed. http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType= Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Roberts Posted 10 July , 2006 Share Posted 10 July , 2006 The aircraft is relatively undamaged; it looks as though Wadham attempted a forced landing, but the aircraft turned over, probably due to the wheels getting caught in mud or some obstruction. An accident like this was usually survivable, so either Wadham was unlucky and broke his neck or hit his head; or he had been shot, and despite being fatally wounded, managed a forced landing rather than a crash and so saved the life of his observer. Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cnock Posted 10 July , 2006 Share Posted 10 July , 2006 Hello Steve, Thanks for the additional info. Regards, Cnock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kev7dags1 Posted 10 July , 2006 Share Posted 10 July , 2006 Thanks for all the information. Very much appreciated. Regards Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cnock Posted 10 July , 2006 Share Posted 10 July , 2006 Kev, Glad to help You, regards, Cnock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyBoy Posted 10 July , 2006 Share Posted 10 July , 2006 Hi Kev, Wadham and his observer A. D. Borton (later a VC), were credited with a victory whilst serving with 3 Squadron RFC on 05th February 1915. A few days after this the same paring were involved in an accident which resulted in Wadham breaking his thigh and Borton breaking his neck (and surviving)! This little extract is from the book 'My Warrior Sons.' Gustav Leffers put in a claim for a BE2c on 17th Jan 1916, maybe he is a possible candidate for the crash? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolphin Posted 10 July , 2006 Share Posted 10 July , 2006 The victory over Capt V N H Wadham and Sgt N V Piper in 2105 is covered in a few paragraphs in Norman Franks' Sharks Among Minnows. The claim by Uffz Gustav Leffers of FA32 wasn't confirmed, which seems odd as the aeroplane clearly came down behind the German lines. Apparently some sources credit Ltn Otto Parshau with the victory, but he didn't make a claim on the day in question. Uffz Krauss and Ltn von Lersner from KG1 did have an aerial fight, and claimed a victory near Passchendaele/Westroosebeke, so it looks like they were the people who downed 2105. Regards Gareth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WW1ACE Posted 30 July , 2006 Share Posted 30 July , 2006 Hello I am currently trying to find out any info on a Capt Vivian Hugh Nicholas Wadham of the RFC. I think he was KIA in 1916 but I'm very vague on him and have come up against a brick wall in my research. Many thanks for any info at all Kev Neal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 5 July , 2019 Share Posted 5 July , 2019 Hello, I am Vivian Wadham's great niece and I was thrilled to stumble upon this thread with photos and info about his demise and resting place. I shall place a plaque at his graveside to remember his sacrifice. Many thanks for all the info. Rose Wadham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topgun1918 Posted 6 July , 2019 Share Posted 6 July , 2019 Just a minor correction - Vivian Wadham's observer on 5 February 1915 was Lieut Amyas Eden Borton who was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Order, not the Victoria Cross; the award was announced on page 6533 of London Gazette number 29215, dated 3 July 1915. Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingsnorth36 Posted 11 July , 2019 Share Posted 11 July , 2019 Captain Wadham's medals were sold over 15 years ago on EBAY as I recall. https://www.ukphotoarchive.org.uk/p573507338/h96E10E02#h96e10e02 Regards Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cnock Posted 2 August , 2019 Share Posted 2 August , 2019 Burial of Wadham by the Germans with full honours Cnock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ursirius Posted 11 June , 2020 Share Posted 11 June , 2020 On 10/07/2006 at 15:02, MattyBoy said: Hi Kev, Wadham and his observer A. D. Borton (later a VC), were credited with a victory whilst serving with 3 Squadron RFC on 05th February 1915. A few days after this the same paring were involved in an accident which resulted in Wadham breaking his thigh and Borton breaking his neck (and surviving)! This little extract is from the book 'My Warrior Sons.' Gustav Leffers put in a claim for a BE2c on 17th Jan 1916, maybe he is a possible candidate for the crash? I wonder if anyone can help me with Borton's movements at this time. From http://www.airhistory.org.uk/rfc/people_index.html I get the following: 30.11.14 to join 2RAS after leave 01.12.14 Posted from EF 2RAS 31.12.14 att for 8Sq 8Sq 05.03.15 C Flt Comdr 18.04.15 re-embarked (by air) 8 Squadron did not leave for France until April 1915, yet Borton was clearly there in February. 2RAS was located at Brooklands. The events of 5 February are also detailed in 'War In The Air' Vol.2. So, does anyone know how he came to be in France seemingly attached to 3 Squadron? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickdavis Posted 11 June , 2020 Share Posted 11 June , 2020 Confusion here - between AE Borton and AD Borton. AEB and AD B were, I think, briefly together at Brooklands at the start on January 1915. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimberley John Lindsay Posted 11 June , 2020 Share Posted 11 June , 2020 (edited) Dear All, Brilliant researching. Well done! That is possibly Krause standing to the right of the inspecting officers. Kindest regards, Kim. Edited 11 June , 2020 by Kimberley John Lindsay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ursirius Posted 12 June , 2020 Share Posted 12 June , 2020 Mick, sorry I caused confusion by picking the wrong quote! I am looking for information on Lieut Amyas Eden Borton and the details I quoted, I believe, all relate to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wadham Posted 25 August , 2022 Share Posted 25 August , 2022 Hi, my name is Rose Wadham. Captain Vivian Wadham was my great uncle. I have only recently become aware of his exploits, largely thanks to this forum and the website MedalsOfEngland.com Vivian was educated at Wadham College Oxford which was founded in 1610 by Nicholas and Dorothy Wadham of Somerset in the reign of King James Ist. My husband and I wanted to visit Vivian's tombstone at Tyne Cot in 2019, but we were hampered by Covid lockdowns. It was a relief to pay my respects, not just for myself, but also on behalf of all Wadham family members past and present. It came as a complete surprise to discoiver that other people are interested in Vivian's life and pivotal role in WW1. I would like to learn the circumstances of how and when Vivian's medals were separated from my family's guardianship. Please contact me if you have any intel. I am married to Jonathon Miles, grandson of F G Miles and 'Blossom' Miles of Miles Aircraft fame. Although FG Miles was just 15 yrs old in 1918, by 1922 he had built his first plane and we speculate that he might have heard about the flying exploits of Captain Vivian Wadham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaySearching Posted 25 August , 2022 Share Posted 25 August , 2022 Here is an snippit of info into the demise of Wadham Tony Haynes Nigel Vincent Piper was my maternal Great Grandfather, he died in 1994 shortly after his 100th birthday. I lived with him at his home in Tring, Hertfordshire for a time. He said that Capt Wadham was already deceased at the moment of impact having taken a bullet through his neck from an enemy aircraft. He (Piper) had to take control of the aircraft with the Captain dead in his seat by sitting on his body making it very difficult to land competently, even though he was already an experienced pilot by 1916. He was an extremely modest man with an incredibly sharp mind right up to his death, and it was an honour to know him. Tony Haynes Source Flicker Here Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wadham Posted 25 August , 2022 Share Posted 25 August , 2022 (edited) It is such a comfort to learn that your great grandfather, Nigel Vincent Piper had the skill to take control of the aircraft in order to safely land it. How marvellous that he survived the ordeal, clearly through his innate courage and skill for navigation. How I wish I had known him. Best regards to you Tony, Rose Wadham (great niece of Vivian Wadham) Edited 25 August , 2022 by Wadham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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