Captain Audubon Eric Palfreyman-RFC-27 Squadron

[deanstalton]

Thanks Cnock

Another excellent picture

really appreciate you finding me these pictures

Dean

Thanks Craig

Always interested in finding anything about the palfreyman's in Hobart

beng a very distant relative of my family

Dean

[annabela]

Hi

Trying To Find Information On Captain A E Palfreyman And His Observer Lt W I Crawford

Got Service Records, Pics

Looking For Comfirmed Kills/If Any

Plane D.H.4 Serial No-A7840

The Observer Was Captured POW Any Information?

Dean

Aud Palfreyman was my mother's uncle so I have some information on him. I would also love to know your connection to the family, as I know little about the family history in England. There is reference in one of the letters below to Aud visiting an uncle in Monyash.

I am copying here five letters he wrote to relatives Federae ["Fed"] and Bubbles Palfreyman in late 1917 and early 1918. Forgive any mistranscriptions I might have made - I am not an expert on the geography of France, or military terminology of the day. The original letters are still in the possession of Bubbles' daughter and are much treasured.

LETTER ONE

27 Squadron RFC

In Field

17.9.17

My Dear Fed

Last Aus mail brought me two letters from you and, once more I have to thank you for being so good as to find time to send along so many interesting letters. As a matter of fact I don't think you have missed a mail, have you? There is very little news to give you from this end, only bomb raids and, it is very seldom I leave camp and then it is only to get a little exercise. We manage to have a game of tennis occasionally, but our court is really too bad to enjoy much of this. I wish a more able pen than mine could describe the show we had last Sunday afternoon, however I'll just give a faint idea of the whole affair, which can be termed as a short dash across the lines. Twelve machines were ordered to bomb a rest camp about 12 miles behind the lines near Roulers. There were to be two separate formations each having an escort. I went with the first six and, we had Bristol fighters as escort and, had to rendezvous over ---- at 10,000 ft.

It was a perfectly clear afternoon and, what one could see from here is beyond my power to describe. In the first place our six, in which I was flying centre rear, were humming along in a good formation and, at 1000 ft or so above us our escort was hovering. 5000 ft. below the 2^nd formation were getting their height and their escort of Sop Pup could be [observed?]. A few miles this side of the line some of our "sausage" balloons could be seen doing their work of observation, while the submerged area, the line, the flashes of our artillery, were seen, and a number of aeroplanes which looked like mere specks could be seen over the lines. Going over I tried to distinguish "no mans land" but the whole place was so pocketed with shell holes etc that I could not distinguish this. It did not take us long to reach our objective and bomb it, which we did, this time, at 10,000 ft. As soon as we had dropped these & turned, our escort buzzed off, after shooting off two white Very lights and, I heard afterwards, they got into a scrap & were "Archied" a good deal. A Hun came up on our right & only for the intervention of one of our scouts our right rear man would have had a warm time. After awhile we were subjected to terrific Archies. I got a piece through my top plane. The old familiar "plonk" as he burst, followed by a little cloud of black (sometimes white) smoke is not a very pleasing experience. We put our noses down to 100-110 mph, engines full on and steered a zig zag course, sometimes "zooming" up to dodge Archie and, arrived back after being 2 hrs 15 mins in air which is quite a short show.

The 2^nd formation suffered badly. We lost one man who was sent down out of control, with two Huns "pumping" lead into him &, another up to the present missing. Another had one of his struts & top plane badly damaged by Archie & had to cross the lines at 4000 ft & I hear their escort were rather badly handled.

I was very glad to hear you had been winning lately and, hope your luck will continue tho was sorry to hear my old favourite "Wyadra" was beaten.

Fed, this is quite a long letter for me so I had better ring off. ....[some personal messages ]

Affect Yrs

Audie

PS. We had a show last week on which we were nearly 3 hrs over in Hunland. You can guess how far we were over from this and without an escort too. I happened to strike [?] this show, on which we lost one man.

LETTER TWO

Dec 3^rd 1917

In Field

My Dear Bubbles

I think I promised in one of my previous letters, that I should send along a few lines when on leave and, am sorry I could not do so, the fact of the matter being that, I had such a lot to do in such a short time, I let it stay over till my return here.

Needless to say I had a ripping time and, spent a few days with Uncle at Monyash & a week end with Mr Moore at Leatherhead.

Mr Moore's home is one of the nicest I have ever been in and they did everything to make my stay pleasant. My last lunch I had with Mr Moore and, afterwards he took me to some of the great business centres in the neighbourhood. George Rayden was staying with Mr Moore & is going to take on this bird life. I met Arthur [Arthur Long his nephew who jointed the RAF] and an old pal and had a good old talk and a theatre together. Arthur seems very enthusiastic about his work & expects to start the actual flying very soon.

I have just had a shave (two days growth) & hot bath, having just come back from a forced landing (engine trouble) Sth of Arras. Six of us went on a bombing raid yesterday a.m. early and when flying over Cambrai my engine conked and we nearly had to land in the German lines. The flight commander reported us down the other side, but fortunately the engine picked up a little and we (self & observer) crossed the lines at 3000 ft and landed five miles over our side. It was very near and they gave us the hottest time I've ever had as we were coming down. It is terribly cold flying high now and a frost bitten face is not uncommon. When we landed yesterday there were large lumps of ice hanging under the fuselage and, how they got there I do not know.

I brought a lot of warm clothing back from Blighty and for which one has to pay, prices over there being extremely high. ..[ followed by some personal messages]

Yours Affectly

Audie

LETTER THREE

Feb 9^th-18

27 Sqdn

In field

My Dear Fed

As you will see by the above, am again back at 27 and, must say I am jolly glad to get to work again. Have not had an opportunity of writing before because we have been so busy. Every day has been perfectly fine and, consequently we have done a lot of bombing, sometimes two raids a day. We had rather a peculiar show last week. Six of us set out to bomb a Rly Jn some 15 miles over. Three of the machines returned with dud engines the remainder, of which I was one, carried on. We crossed at 15000 ft and, when about half way over towards our objective, we met nine beastly aggressive Hun Scouts who, of course, made themselves objectionable. We of course promptly dropped our "pills" to give us more speed, and headed for the lines throttles full open. We saw one of our party go down steeply with two Huns following. One of these was shot down and, we heard after our man had crashed 2000 yards our side of the line with many bullets through various parts of his machine. Both pilot & observer were unhurt, luckily, and the reason for their sudden dive was due to engine failure. We reached the lines O.K. after exchanging a few shots.

Practically every time we cross we meet & scrap with enemy aircraft. Archie of course is always ready to "welcome" us & large Hun formations are always to be seen on the move. Both sides are putting a number of new Sqdns in the field and you are sure to hear of intense aerial fighting in the near future.

We also do photography now. This is done by single machines at a height of 18000 to 20000 ft which I can assure you is very enervating. These shows are usually longer than bombing raids the distance over is usually about 30 miles. I received two more letters from you last week for which very many thanks and, must say I was very pleased to hear you were dux of J.P. Congratulations. I'm sure all at Clovelly were pleased to hear of your success. No flying today as it is perfectly "dud" & very cold so I'll finish this & join the circle round the fire

With much love

Audi

LETTER FOUR (A POSTCARD)

March 15^th 1918

RFC

In Field

Dear Fed

Excuse brevity & give my love to all at Clovelly

Two more from you this a.m. and, like their predecessors, full of interest and quite lengthy epistles. Have been over 150 miles of Hun territory today, taking photos, including Mons, Charleroi, Mauberge. When over Charleroi my water pump went dud consequently my water boiled and I had "pukka [?] wind up." I led my first bomb raid on the 11^th to an obj 25 miles over which we successfully hit. The C.O. has given my Sqdn & self a day in Amiens tomorrow. Have done a great amount of work lately and the aerial fighting is intense. I get leave in 8 days so till I return cheerio & much love

Audie.

LETTER FIVE

April 23 18

RAF

In Field

My Dear Fed

I intended sending a few lines long before this, but kept putting it off and, somehow cannot make up my mind to settle down & send along a few letters which, I should certainly do as I'm heavily in debt in this respect.

During the Hun push we have been very busy, leaving at daybreak on a raid then returning for more bombs & ammunition, petrol etc and a hasty meal and, off again – ditto repeats being the order for the rest of the day. Most of our work was done singly, at 1 to 3000 ft high and of course, was far more dangerous than our ordinary high bombing, because we had to contend with trench mortars & machine-gun fire from the ground and, being alone usually had a running fight with a Hun back to the lines.

There is no doubt the RFC did excellent work during this push, often getting direct hits on enemy troops drawn up preparatory to an attack. They were so numerous one could not fail to hit.

On one occasion I observed & got direct hits on (2 = 112 lb bombs) two batts of Hun inf. My observer was firing on them (we were only 1,200 ft) and, I was so busy making sure my bombs were delivered O.K. that we failed to notice a Hun approaching. He fired at point blank range making a huge rent in my fuselage about 2 ft from my obs. Another burst shattered the leading edge of top plane and, how we both got back puzzles me. He could not have been more than several yds away at any rate near enough for my obs to notice his torn fabric, the result of our reply. His tail rudder was painted black & white – one of the circus machines.

There are many more little experiences I'd like to tell you about but, if I can possibly manage it shall be able to tell you personally this year.

Arthur comes out, I hear, very soon but, I should like to think this could be avoided. However it was his choice and all I hope is that he is lucky & gets back to the "right little Island" O.K.

Tis perfectly "dud" today and we are having a rest. I had breakfast in bed & did not get up till 11. I notice I have to lecture on formation flying this afternoon so had better dot down a few notes. Guess you heard of my promotion to command of my old flight also the C.O. recommended me for an M.C. but have heard nothing further of this.

Many thanks for yours much love

Audie

You can get a sense of the man from the letter he wrote in 1917 to be delivered to his parents in the event of his death.

Dearest Father & Mother

I have been wondering what the future is going to bring me. What this "Great Adventure" has in store for me.

Thinking this I have decided to write you a few lines which in the event of my death will be forwarded on to you.

That we shall meet in the Grand Hereafter there is no doubt, but what I want of all things is that you both shall not worry.

I know it is hard but there are thousands of homes who have lost all, and I know in your hearts you are glad I have been doing my best to help in this great cause & if I had not, you would have been disappointed.

I am [illegible] and full of confidence, & proud beyond words that I hold a commission in so great a fighting unit as the R.F.C.

I have never been prouder of anything, except your love for me, than I am of being in so fine a corps.

I feel like saying "If it be possible let this cup pass from me" but the triumphant finish "Nevertheless not what I will, but what Thou willest" steels my heart & sends me on with a heart of triple bronze.

I always carry a photo of you and will always do so when I go into action.

Brutus' farewell to Cassius sounds in my head "if not farewell: & if we meet again, we shall smile."

Your love for me and my love for you have made my life one of the happiest that has ever been.

God bless you and give you peace.

Now all my blessings go with you always, and with all we love

Eternal love

Audie

[deanstalton]

Hello Annabela

I'm sat here with my mother after reading your wonderful letters, i can't tell you how deeply moved we both are.

My mother and i have been researching our ancestry tree (ancestry.co.uk) my mothers granma (Mary Elizabeth Palfreyman Known As Lily) from her paternal side was a palfreyman from Biggin, Derbyshire

Her grandmother (Anne Palfreyman) is the cousin of Thomas Palfreyman (From Biggin).

Thomas Palfreyman had a son called Isaac Palfreyman (reverend) who left Derbyshire in 1861 for Australia (Primitve Methodist church)

and he is the father Audubon Eric Palfreyman.

I joined this site to research my ancesters who served in the great war, i found a lot information about Captain A E Palfreyman.

I have several pictures of him (from different websites)

plus his war grave and crash site (provided by Cnock-GWF)

Also pic of Audie grandfathers grave in ST Thomas church, Biggin

just ask if you want pictures

Hope to hear from you again

Dean And Beryl

[annabela]

Dear Dean

Thank you for your reply and for the information about the family in England. From here, I knew Aud's father was Isaac and from Isaac's marriage certificate I had learned Isaac's father was Thomas and his mother Elizabeth (nee Wooliscroft). Isaac was born in Biggin, Derbyshire, as you say, and was one of 9 children according to what I have been able to piece together (his siblings were Mary, Thomas, Ann, Hannah, Harriett, Joseph, William and Eliza). Do you or your mother know who Thomas' parents were and where they lived? And is there any anecdotal explanation in the family as to why Isaac decided to go to Australia? I know the Primitive Methodist church was looking for preachers to go to Australia, but why did Isaac put his hand up? I am researching his life, but have nothing to really answer this question. I am trying to fit your pieces of family, with mine - but perhaps this is not the forum to do this.

I have the photos of Aud which appear on the Soldiers Walk website, and the June 1917 portrait, and also the crash site photos which I found in this forum (for which thanks!) also I have a photo of his gravestone (I visited his grave site about 3 years ago). I would love a copy of the memorial to Thomas Palfreyman in Biggin and any other photos you have of Aud.

I am delighted you and your mother appreciate his letters. Aud was deeply loved and missed. Even his will reads beautifully -

31 March 1916 – “Should occasion arise in which this my last Will and Testament should be read it will be with the knowledge that I have crossed over the Great Beyond, I hope fearlessly and honourably. To you who are left behind this should cause no regrets. It is certain we shall meet again and I pray that it may be to live together through an eternity of happiness. I cannot mention every brother & sister. The reason is obvious [note: he was one of 17 children, 14 of whom lived to adulthood] . They will benefit indirectly and there are many of my personal things of no service – to you Father I should like you to give each one a keepsake. I give to my dear Mother the 300 shares I hold in Henry Jones Co-Operative. I have a Cr in the Savings Bank which might still be kept in the same name as I leave this to my namesake Audubon Eric Palfreyman, the money to be used as his parents might think fit. I leave everything else to you Father and make you sole Executor. I will give a detailed list of my personal and real estate as far as my memory will permit. I might forget a few things but they will not be of much consequence. Together with the above I leave a heritage of deep fraternal and filial love – Audi. E. Palfreyman”

Following is some background about Aud prior to him joining the RFC. It seems he went to England always intending to become an aviator. A number of the bits below come from "The Mercury" - Hobart's main daily newspaper.

The Mercury, 24 April 1916 page 6 - After business on Thursday, the staff of Palfreyman’s Corner met to say a formal farewell to one of the principals Mr Audy Palfreyman, who is shortly leaving on active service. It is understood that Mr Palfreyman is going in to training for the Aviation Corps. Mr A Chatterton, in presenting him with a fountain pen and pocket-wallet, on behalf of the employees, said he did not believe that there was another business in the Commonwealth where a more harmonious feeling existed between employers and employees than at The Corner, and they sincerely wished him God-speed and a safe return. Mr Palfreyman thanked the staff for the loyalty they had always shown to the firm, and also for the kindly thought which had prompted them to give him such a very useful present.

15 May 1916 – Aud enlisted in the AIF at Melbourne.

1 June 1916 - Enlisted as Motor Driver, 3^rd Divisional Supply Column. 26^th AASC Battalion. Regimental number 11862. His pay was 5 shillings per day from date of embarkation and it was all paid into his father’s account in Hobart.

5 June 1916 – Embarked Melbourne on the “Afric”

24 July 1916 – Disembarked, Southampton, London

The Mercury - 8 September 1916 - The directors of the Royal Flying Corps have applied to General Birdwood, the commander of the Australian forces, for 200 Australians to become officers of the Flying Corps. General Birdwood has consented to the application, and is now selecting the men.

13 November 1916 – 1^st Anzac 77/41

Undated letter 1916 – on Australian Commonwealth Military Forces letterhead

Larkhill

Salisbury

Dear Bubbles

It was such a pleasant surprise receiving yours only a few days back, and to get such a long interesting letter such as you wrote, was beyond all expectations.

My word I have a big score to settle with that teacher of yours for the mean way she treated the letter I was to have had, but guess I will not have an opportunity of settling same.

I heard you were going to Brisbane and you can imagine how I wished I was going with you.

At present we are encamped in about the coldest and most dreary spot in England tho' when we get leave, which is not very often, we hire a car and make up for the reverses we get.

I have been trying hard to get my transfer to the Royal Flying Corps, but now think I will have no chance of obtaining this, tho' nothing definite has been heard.

This unit is hardly the crack corps we thought it was when we left Australia and promotion does not seem even possible.

Today I have been on a Coal heaving fatigue with 50 others and from what I hear we are not to go the front for months yet. ....

Your Very Affect Uncle

Audie

LETTER WHILE TRAINING FOR RFC

Royal Flying Corps

Exeter College Oxford

January 28 1916

[letter dated 1916 but this must be an error]

Dear Bubbles,

I was delighted to find among the budget of Australian letters received this a.m. one from you. I look forward to hearing from you, your letters are always long and full of interest and am greedy enough to hope there are many now on the water on their way over to me. I shall certainly say a little prayer that they not find a resting place in some ocean bed, caused by a well directed Hun torpedo.

We have very comfy quarters here, quite the reverse to what I have ever experienced since joining up. Four of us share this room in which I am now writing this. We have a nice coal fire burning, electric light and engage a char woman to clean up daily.

We are now doing our fifth week here and are getting on well with our work, which is practically all lectures on the following subjects:- Engines (Rotary, radial & stationary), Bombs, machine guns (2), aerial obs, theory of flight, rigging, photography (wireless & words per minute must send & receive) compass reading and a few minor subjects. You will see from this we are kept rather busy and are to have the exam in a few weeks time.

After passing here we are posted to a Squadron and carry on with the practical work and with luck we should be dodging German “Archies” in the course of a couple of months.

I have a great little car here and only wish you could come along and go for a spin in it, as it would suit you admirably, being sporty and can do 35 mph. in third.

I have another letter to write before turning in so will ring off. Give Bon my love and don’t forget to write often. With heaps of love

Your affectionate Uncle

Audie

P.S. Am enclosing a snap taken in the Duke of Marlborough’s grounds last Sunday. Another Squadron of Cadets came up from Denham yesterday and they have been put in our room. To make room for them they have taken our table & chairs, so we four have taken apartments outside the College which costs us 12/- per week each. We have a nice sitting room and can do our writing in comfort. Our leaving the Coll is of course out of order but we must do these little things when in the Army.

[/size]

16 March 1917 – Discharged from AIF in consequence of being appointed to a Commission in the Royal Flying Corps London. Rank 2^nd Lieut, Gazetted 10 April 1917

• “The Rev. I. H. Palfreyman has received a cablegram to the effect that his son, Mr. Audy Palfreyman, of the firm of Palfreyman Bros., of this city, has just obtained his commission as lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps. Mr. Palfreyman enlisted as a private in the Motor Transport Column, Army Service Corps, in the early part of 1916.” [Tasmanian Mail, 5 April 1917]

[/font]

REPORTS OF HIS DEATH

The Tasmanian Mail - 30 May 1918 – Word has been received by cable from the Secretary of the War Ministry that Captain A.E. Palfreyman, of the Royal Flying Corps, late A.I.F., has been reported missing since the 23^rd inst.

The Mercury - 27 June 1918 – Rev. I. H. Palfreyman has received a cable from the Secretary to the Air Ministry stating that a report from an unofficial but apparently reliable source states that Captain A. E. Palfreyman, R.A.F. died on or after May 23, the date on which he was reported missing, and also expressing sympathy. Captain Palfreyman was a member of the firm of Palfreyman Bros., of this city, and a recent letter states that he had been recommended for the Military Cross.

The Mercury - 26 Sept 1919 page 2 -

The president of the Hobart City Mission (Mr Harold White) writes – Year after year, come rain or come sunshine, the Hobart City Mission keeps up the work for which it was founded 68 years since. Decade succeeds decade and slowly, but surely, adds to the number of our fellow citizens who have been aided in their efforts to weather the storms of life which so often assail those who are not blessed with a plenitude of this world’s goods. Many have been the men, women, and children who have had reason to bless the missioner of the organisation in the days gone by….. - It is doubtless well-known to most of the community that one of the sons of the Rev. I. H. Palfreyman (Flight-Captain A. E. Palfreyman, RAF) gave his life at the front in the cause of freedom and righteousness. The reverend gentleman, determined to perpetuate his son’s memory in some altruistic manner, and has given £100 to the Mission for investment in order that, year by year, the income may prove a more lasting memorial of the young man’s sacrifice than any mere monument could form. A memorial is also to hang upon the walls of the Mission-hall in memory of Flight-Captain Palfreyman. …

19 January 1922 - Telegram - From the Secretary of the Air Ministry to the Officer in Charge, Base Records, Melbourne: - Captain Audubon Eric Palfreyman has by service in the RFC and RAF from 17 March 1917 to 23 May 1918 qualified for the award of British War Medal and Victory Medal which will be administered by this Office and the person entitled to receive the medals is Rev Isaac Palfreyman.

[Note - by the time this telegram arrived, Rev Isaac had also died. I presume the medals were given to someone, but I have not been able to find anyone who knows of them. And it appears (but I would love to be corrected) that the recommendation for the Military Cross evaporated when Aud died]

Annabela

Hello Annabela

I'm sat here with my mother after reading your wonderful letters, i can't tell you how deeply moved we both are.

My mother and i have been researching our ancestry tree (ancestry.co.uk) my mothers granma (Mary Elizabeth Palfreyman Known As Lily) from her paternal side was a palfreyman from Biggin, Derbyshire

Her grandmother (Anne Palfreyman) is the cousin of Thomas Palfreyman (From Biggin).

Thomas Palfreyman had a son called Isaac Palfreyman (reverend) who left Derbyshire in 1861 for Australia (Primitve Methodist church)

and he is the father Audubon Eric Palfreyman.

I joined this site to research my ancesters who served in the great war, i found a lot information about Captain A E Palfreyman.

I have several pictures of him (from different websites)

plus his war grave and crash site (provided by Cnock-GWF)

Also pic of Audie grandfathers grave in ST Thomas church, Biggin

just ask if you want pictures

Hope to hear from you again

Dean And Beryl

[deanstalton]

Hi Annabela

(About family tree)

tried sending personal message, however to recieve pm's you need to send 5 post or more(just add some more post to this topic) then i'll try and send my message

Dean

Ps newsletter have you seen this

[deanstalton]

Annabella

Here is his AIR 76/386 DOCUMENT FROM NATIONAL ARCHIVES (kEW)

Still can't send PM (Palfreyman's in Biggin)

Hope to here from you soon

Dean

[deanstalton]

Page 2

page 3

Page 4

[deanstalton]

Question

Captain A E Palfreyman was on recommendation for the military cross from report from his CO

but did he recieve it? if not Why?

anyway of finding out? report

Dean

[deanstalton]

Annabela

My mum has found out who the parents are of Thomas Palfreyman

plus we have a photo Audubon Uncle William palfreyman grave from Monyash

Dean

[deanstalton]

Tried the National Archives for the 27 Squadron Combat Diaries for £8.50 then told i could only have first 10 pages.

does anybody know what the squadron was up to May 1918 ie Location Etc.

Dean

[fetubi]

Tried the National Archives for the 27 Squadron Combat Diaries for £8.50 then told i could only have first 10 pages.

does anybody know what the squadron was up to May 1918 ie Location Etc.

Dean

Dean,

These are the unit's locations that summer:

Ruisseauville 29.3.18

Fourneuil 3.6.18

Ruisseauville 21.6.18

Chailly 15.7.18

They were in the 9th (Day) Wing of IX (HQ) Bgde, ostensibly day bombing, with some photographic reconn were possible. Their machines were DH4s, with DH9s arriving from July.

Regards,

Trevor

[deanstalton]

Thanks Trevor

Dean

[annabela]

Hi Annabela

(About family tree)

tried sending personal message, however to recieve pm's you need to send 5 post or more(just add some more post to this topic) then i'll try and send my message

Dean

Ps newsletter have you seen this

Dean

thanks for this - all of great interest to me - could you email me on annabela5@bigpond.com re personal family tree stuff? may be better that way

Ananbela

[annabela]

Dean,

These are the unit's locations that summer:

Ruisseauville 29.3.18

Fourneuil 3.6.18

Ruisseauville 21.6.18

Chailly 15.7.18

They were in the 9th (Day) Wing of IX (HQ) Bgde, ostensibly day bombing, with some photographic reconn were possible. Their machines were DH4s, with DH9s arriving from July.

Regards,

Trevor

Trevor and Dean

Ray Sturtivant and Gordon Page [The DH4/DH9 File", UK 1999 at page 42] wrote that on 23 May 1918 – "Left at 06.10 for raid on Thourout, in combat with enemy aircraft, went into dive Maria Aeltr – Capt A. R,. Palfreyman killed and 2/Lt W I Crawford PoW wounded"

I have no idea what "Maria Aeltr" means - do you?

Annabela

[deanstalton]

Hi Annabella

Nice to hear from you again, thanks for your e-mail address, i will be in touch soon about ancestry.

Maria-Aalter, sometimes Sint-Maria-Aalter, is a village in the municipality of Aalter in the Belgian province of East Flanders. Maria-Aalter ligt in een bosrijke omgeving in Zandig Vlaanderen . Maria-Aalter located in a wooded area in Sandy Flanders. Het dorp ligt in het westen van de provincie, op de grens met de provincie West-Vlaanderen . The village lies in the west of the province, on the border with the province of West Flanders.

This was taken from Wikipedia

Dean

[deanstalton]

Annabela

Recieved e-mail Good picture of Audubon with family

will send another email soon

Dean

[deanstalton]

Annabela

The London Gazette 13th July 1917

2nd Lt. (on prob.) A. E. Palfreyman-26th June 1917 Link

The London Gazette 19th April 1918

The undermentioned Lts. to be temp.

Capts. whilst empld. as Capts. (Flying)-12th April 1918 Link

The Flightglobal Archives-19th April 1918-Link

The Flightglobal Archives-25th April 1918-Link

The Flightglobal Archives-20th June 1918-Link

20th June 1918-Captain A E Palfreyman Still On Missing List Also Observer 2nd Lieut W I Crawford-K.R.R.C And R.A.F Still Missing

Dean

[deanstalton]

Hi Everyone

Having a bit of trouble reading what this part of document means

some i understand

19-3-17-Oxford-14 R S? IS THS FOR RESERVE? Catterick

4-5-17 then to 52 R S? Were this unit based in Stirling?

2-7-17- 61 T S? ONTO 11 T S? The sent 27 Squadron-1-8-17 would this be the day they were sent to France

As by the letters sent by annabela he is in france 17-9-17-Letter 1

61 T S? AND 11 TS? Were based where?

I would really appeciate any help with this

Thankyou Dean

[annabela]

Dean

many thanks - this is great stuff - I really appreciate it

Annabela

Annabela

The London Gazette 13th July 1917

2nd Lt. (on prob.) A. E. Palfreyman-26th June 1917 Link

The London Gazette 19th April 1918

The undermentioned Lts. to be temp.

Capts. whilst empld. as Capts. (Flying)-12th April 1918 Link

The Flightglobal Archives-19th April 1918-Link

The Flightglobal Archives-25th April 1918-Link

The Flightglobal Archives-20th June 1918-Link

20th June 1918-Captain A E Palfreyman Still On Missing List Also Observer 2nd Lieut W I Crawford-K.R.R.C And R.A.F Still Missing

Dean

[deanstalton]

No Problem

I see if i can find anything else.

Did you recieve our 2nd E mail

Dean

[deanstalton]

Experts Required

Trying to find out who was responsible for shootiing down Captain A E Palfreyman plane D.H.4-A7840 on the 23rd May 1918.

Some Conflicting information

here is the reports of 2 planes downed that day. From the The "DH4/DH9 File" by Ray Sturtivant and Gordon Page

27 Squadron-D.H.4-A7840

"Left 0610 for raid on Thourout, in combat with E.A., went into dive Maria Aeltre (sic) -Capt. AE Palfreyman killed and 2/Lt WI Crawford POW wounded.

27 Squadron-D.H.9-D5616

"Left 0610, bombing raid on Maria Aeltre (sic), engine fell off. crashed Sains-lè-Pernes, wrecked. Lt GR French and Cpl F Y MacLauchlan both killed."

So maybe on same mission?

I found this information on Aerodrome Forum-Heres is link what they are talking aboutWebsite.

Quote- (from most sources)agree that Collin (Lieutenant Dieter Collin) claimed what he called a Bristol at 0930 hrs on 23 May, which he said fell at Maria-Alter, SE of Brügge. (the bristol must be wrong)-The source being Rick Duiven Book Writer has Updated his Jasta 56 listing believing the plane Collin shot down was the D.H.4 not the D.H.9-Plus with captain A E Palfreyman crashing in the Maria-Aalter Near Ruddervoorde Belgium area, not Sains-lè-Pernes, Par-de-calais, France area.

So would you agree with this?

has anybody got this updated list of the Jasta 56?

Thanks for any help with this Question

Dean

[fetubi]

If it's of interest, a while ago I updated TSTB to reflect the likely target of Collin's claim was the DH4 - your man. Makes more sense. Can't prove it - just makes more sense.

By the way FY McLauchlan in the DH9 was a Sgt.Mech and not a Cpl as I had him. The British matching time is 8-30am for Collin's claim, by the way - even more likely. I feel sure they were both on the same raid. The place name is Maria-Aeltre on the Cas Reps.

Regards,

Trevor

[deanstalton]

Trevor

I think it is D.H.4, but like you say most likely(Hard to prove). everthing seems to point in the right direction.

Yeah i did realize that McLAUGHLAN, Francis Yates was Sgt. i was just quoting from the other people (Aerodrome forum)

same with the time.

Thanks for you help Dean

[deanstalton]

Annabela

This is what information i have up to now,still trying to find more about him. Especially the report of him shooting down 2 planes in same day. maybe this is why his Major Recommended him for Military Cross

Birth

7th July 1892-Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Tasmania Birth Certificate-Page: 1892/1236

1914-Australian Electoral roll

Hobart North, Denison, Tasmania, Australia

Andrew & Arthur Street-Draper

15th May 1916

First World War

Joined On Enlistment-3rd Divisional Supply Column, Mechanical Transport-26th Australian Army Service Corps-Rank- M.T Driver-Regimental No 11862

5th June 1916-Military Embarkation-Link

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The Unit Embarked On The Transport "HMAT Afric" At Melbourne On The 5th June And Sailed The Same Day. Proceeding To Adelaide To Embark The 43rd Infantry Battalion, And Thence Via Colombia And Suez (JULY) To Marseille. Arriving On July 20th

24th July 1916-Military Disembarkation-War Diaries

Southampton, England

Disembarked At Marseille On 21st July And On Trained To Havre Arriving There On 23rd, Embarked Same Day For Southampton Arrived Southampton 24th.And Proceeded To Larkhill Camp, Salisbury Plain

25th July 1916-Military Camp

Larkill Camp, Sailbury Plain, England

Where The Unit Remained Until It Was Mobilized For Service At The End Of October

1st October 1916-Military Camp

Larkill Camp, Sailbury Plain, England

Motor Lorries And All Transport Equipment drawm From Bulford On 20th, And Preperation Mass, Made For Departure For Bath 27th

1st November 1916-Military Camp

Bath, Somerset, England

The Unit Having Been Fully equipped, Contiuned To Train At Bath During November

13th November 1916-RFC Training

Exeter College, Oxford, England

1st Anzac 77/41 - 200 Australian Cadets From The 1st AIF To Attend A School Of Aeronautics Training Course After They Had Volunteered To Train As Pilots For The Royal Flying Corps (RFC)

December 1916-RFC Training

Exeter College, Oxford, England

Military RFC Training

16th March 1917-Discharged

First World War

16 March 1917 – Discharged from AIF in Consequence Of Being Appointed To A Commission In The Royal Flying Corps London. Rank 2nd Lieutenant, Gazetted 13th July 1917

19th March 1917-Reserve Squadron

Catterick Bridge, Yorkshire, England

14th Reserve Squadron-Served Till 4th May 1917

4th May 1917-Reserve Squadron

Stirling, Scotland

52nd Reserve Squadron RFC-Served Till 2nd July 1917

26th June 1917-Royal Aero Club Aviators Certificate

Military School, Catterick Bridge, Yorkshire, England

2nd Lieutenant RFC- Certificate Taken In-Maurice Farman Biplane

2nd July 1917-Training Squadron

England

61st Training Squadron and 11th Training Squadron RFC-Served Till 1st August 1917

1st August 1917-France Not sure this is exact date

First World War-France

27 Squadron RFC-9th (Day) Wing of IX (HQ) Bgde-Bombing And Photographic Reconnaissance-Served In France

1st August 1917-Aero Base

Clairmarais North, Pas-de-calais, France

27 Squadron-Based In Clairmarais North Aerodrome

12th October 1917-Aero Base

Serny, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France

27 Squadron-Based In Serny Aerodrome

24th March 1918-Aero Base

Beauvois, France

27 Squadron-Based In Beauvois

29th March 1918

Ruisseauville, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France

27 Squadron-Based In Ruisseauville Aerodrome

19th April 1918-Captain

The London Gazette-12th April 1918-Captain

21st April 1918-Aero Base

Fourneuil, France

27 Squadron-Based In Fourneuil Aerodrome

20th May 1918-Shot Down Plane

Douai, France

Captain A E Palfreyman & Lt William George Hurrell, Flying In D.H.4-A7840, Were Credited With A Pfalz D.III Pilot Survived?

23rd May 1918

Maria-Aalter Near Ruddervoorde Belgium

DH4 A7840: "Left 0610 for raid on Thourout, in combat with E.A., went into dive Maria Aeltre (sic) -Capt. A E Palfreyman killed and 2/Lt W I Crawford POW wounded.

Shot down by Lieutenant Dieter Collin, Commander Of Jasta 56 most likely this(make more sense than the other plane D.H.9)-Link

RUDDERVOORDE COMMUNAL CEMETERY

Grave/Memorial Reference:56-Commerative Roll

IN MEMORY OF

Captain Audubon Eric Palfreyman

27th Squadron., Royal Air Force Who Died Age 26 On 23rd May 1918- Son Of The Rev. I. H. And Mrs. Palfreyman, Of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia- Remembered With Honour

Dean

[Cnock]

Hi,

Leutnant Diether Collin is buried at the German Mil Cem of Menen, Grave C/826

Cnock