RFC/RAF No. 5 Squadron

[John Beech]

I would if anyone can help me?

My Great Uncle Aircraftsman Third Class George Beech was conscripted into the RFC and trained as an armourer. He didn't go to France until October 1918 and was then posted to No.5 Squadron, who were at that time supporting the Canadian Corps.

Although I have found some general information, and also have my Great Uncle's service records, I am having difficulty finding information aboout where the squadron served and who served in it, both pilots and ground crew. I do know of references in some books such as On A Wing & A Prayer by J Levine, which has some information on No. 5 Squadron pilots, Flying Rebel about Louis Strange, a pre war flying pioneer, A Contemptable Little Flying Corps and The Sky Their Battlefield. I also know of Lt. Bayley and 2nd Lt Waterfall who are regarded as the first RFC casualties due to enemy action in WW1 and have visited their graves at Tornai, but I would like to learn more about the squadron.

Any ideas where I could look?

Thanks

John

[ander11]

Hi there John, try google this is what I found .

As No. 5 Squadron Royal Flying Corps, it was formed at Farnborough on 26 July 1913,^[1] and following the outbreak of the First World War deployed to France on 15 August, equipped with a variety of aircraft types to carry out reconnaissance for the BEF.^[2] It flew its first missions on 21 August and on the next day, an Avro 504 of 5 Squadron was the first British aircraft to be shot down, its crew of pilot Second Lieutenant Vincent Waterfall and navigator Lt Charles George Gordon Bayly being killed.^[3][2][4]

No 5 Squadron standardised on the BE.2, specialising as observers for artillery, re-equipping with the RE.8 in May 1917, and working closely with the Canadian Corps, through to the end of the war and into 1919, when it moved into Germany as part of the Army of Occupation.^[5] (Its association with the Canadian Corps lead the incorporation of a Maple Leaf in the squadron's badge when it was approved in June 1937.^[2])

http://wapedia.mobi/en/Royal_Flying_Corps

does that help you

Ian