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Remembered Today:

Lt James Robert Dennistoun RFC 23 Sqn


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ltjrdennistounirishhor1916-1.jpg

Name:DENNISTOUN, JAMES ROBERT

Nationality:United Kingdom

Rank:Lieutenant

Regiment/Service:Royal Flying Corps

Unit Text:23rd Sqdn.

Secondary Regiment:North Irish Horse

Age:33

Date of Death:09/08/1916

Additional information:Son of George James and Emily Dennistoun, of Peel Forest, Timaru, New Zealand.

Grave/Memorial Reference:IV. H. 2.Cemetery:NIEDERZWEHREN CEMETERY

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Lt J R Dennistoun, observer, of No 23 Sqn RFC died on 9 August 1916 from wounds received on 26 June 1916 while flying in FE2b 6348 with his pilot Lt H B Russell, who was taken Prisoner of War. They were on a bombing mission east of Arras when brought down after combat with three enemy aircraft. Lt Russell was transferred to Switzerland on 9 December 1917 and repatriated to the UK on 24 March 1918.

Gareth

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From my trilogy 'For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 (Volume Three: Biographies & Appendices)':

DENNISTOUN, Lieutenant James Robert. (no No.?) (no No. in North Irish Horse); b Peel Forest 7 Mar 83; to UK & rtn in 1884; Wanganui Collegiate; to UK 1898; Malvern Coll, Worcs.; to NZ 1901; to UK & rtn 1904-05; England; sheep farmer - at Mangamahu. Prominent NZ mountaineer & member of Scott's Antarctic Expedition of 1910-1911 (awarded King's Antarctic Medal & Medal of Royal Geographical Society), worked passage to UK late Feb 15, arr 14 Apr 15; British Army & Comm (North Irish Horse) 14 May 15, to France & BEF 19 Nov 15, att RFC as Observer c.10 Jun 16, 23 Sqn (FE2b – 1 op) 16 Jun 16, shot down/wdd & PoW 26 Jun 16 [to hosp at Hamblain], hosp at Douai 28 Jul 16, PoW camp Ohrdruf 5 Aug 16, died of wounds 9 Aug 16. Niederzwehren Cemetery - IV.H.2, Cassel, Hessen-Nassau, Germany. Son of George James & Emily Dennistoun (née Russell), Peel Forest, Timaru.

H B Russell, incidentally, was a fellow New Zealander who later attained the rank of Air Vice-Marshal.

Errol

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Hi,

thanks for sharing!

regards,

Cnock

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There's quite a lot I can add to what we know about this young man's last hours in the air, furnished by his pilot's Returning Prisoner Statement (new information in bold):

26th June

6348 FE2b 23Sqn

**B combat with 3 Fokkers eARRAS on return shot down in flames 5000’ ovBIACHE MIA(Lt HB Russell WIA POW/Lt JR Dennistoun NZ. POW DoW 9.8.16) The crew left alone at 8-50am after engine problems forced them to change aircraft at the last minute, but it turned out the others had not crossed the lines due to clouds, R.P.S.: Russell wrote “Would have made lines if I'd not been wounded in the lung,” adding his observer had been wounded three times in the stomach. The pilot arrived in Switzerland 9.12.17, to UK 24.3.18.

(This is my updated TSTB entry)

Regards,

Trevor

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Published in New Zealand in 1999 by J R D Publication was

Peaks And Passes Of J. R. D.: From The Notebooks And Letters From Life Of James Robert Dennistoun.

A compilation of material from the notebooks and letters of James Robert Dennistoun (1883-1916). Between 1896 and 1915 he made a series and climbs and tramps, mainly in the South Island Alps, though also in Antarctica and on Ruapehu. He was a meticulous planner and recorder of detail; a detailed picture of this adventurous man results. Includes photographs by Dennistoun.

But unfortunately contains very little about his RFC service.

Errol

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By the way, H.B (Herbie) Russell was not only a fellow New Zealander, he was Dennistoun's cousin!

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The German Headquarter reported on 27 June (for 26 June):

"Ein englischer Doppeldecker ist östlich von Arras im Luftkampf abgeschossen; die Insassen sind verwundet gefangen."

"An English biplane was shot down east of Arras in aircombat, the wounded aircrew was captured."

The victory was credited to Wolfgang Heinemann (KEK 3) who was KIA over Harcourt on 21 July 1916 (before Dennistoun died on wounds!).

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The German Headquarter reported on 27 June (for 26 June):

"Ein englischer Doppeldecker ist östlich von Arras im Luftkampf abgeschossen; die Insassen sind verwundet gefangen."

"An English biplane was shot down east of Arras in aircombat, the wounded aircrew was captured."

The victory was credited to Wolfgang Heinemann (KEK 3) who was KIA over Harcourt on 21 July 1916 (before Dennistoun died on wounds!).

Any information on what type of aircraft Heinemann was flying?

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  • 4 years later...

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