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Remembered Today:

Help with research


Hugh Pattenden

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Hi,

I'm doing some research into the following two airmen and I wonder if anyone could give me advice as to where to turn.

Captain Donald William Edwards, MC, 45 Squadron, R.F.C. KIA in Belgium, 6th April 1917.

Captain Francis Balfour Sedgwick, 54 Training Depot, R.A.F. Killed in an accident, UK, 18th October 1918.

I have checked CWGC records, local newspapers, and school records without success.

Does anyone have any ideas where I could try or know anything of these men?

Many thanks,

Hugh

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Hugh,

This is from the CWGC site re EDWARDS:-

Casualty Details

Name: EDWARDS, DONALD WILLIAM

Initials: D W

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Captain

Regiment: Royal Flying Corps

Unit Text: 45th Sqdn.

Secondary Regiment: Army Service Corps

Secondary Unit Text: and

Date of Death: 06/04/1917

Awards: MC

Additional information: Husband of Mrs. C. G. K. Edwards, of 31, Hatherley Grove, Westbourne Grove, London.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: II. J. 6.

Cemetery: TOURNAI COMMUNAL CEMETERY ALLIED EXTENSION

Ian.

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Hugh,

Here is your other man [CWGC]:-

Casualty Details

Name: SEDGWICK, FRANCIS BALFOUR

Initials: F B

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Captain

Regiment: Royal Air Force

Unit Text: No. 54 Training Depot Station

Age: 22

Date of Death: 18/10/1918

Additional information: Son of Professor Adam Sedgwick and Mrs. L. H. Sedgwick, of 10, Harrington Court, South Kensington, London.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: J. 181783.

Cemetery: BROOKWOOD CEMETERY

Ian.

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Hugh,

These details are from the CWGC site??

Casualty Details

Name: EDWARDS, DONALD WILLIAM

Initials: D W

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Captain

Regiment: Royal Flying Corps

Unit Text: 45th Sqdn.

Secondary Regiment: Army Service Corps

Secondary Unit Text: and

Date of Death: 06/04/1917

Awards: MC

Additional information: Husband of Mrs. C. G. K. Edwards, of 31, Hatherley Grove, Westbourne Grove, London.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: II. J. 6.

Cemetery: TOURNAI COMMUNAL CEMETERY ALLIED EXTENSION

Name: SEDGWICK, FRANCIS BALFOUR

Initials: F B

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Captain

Regiment: Royal Air Force

Unit Text: No. 54 Training Depot Station

Age: 22

Date of Death: 18/10/1918

Additional information: Son of Professor Adam Sedgwick and Mrs. L. H. Sedgwick, of 10, Harrington Court, South Kensington, London.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: J. 181783.

Cemetery: BROOKWOOD CEMETERY

Ian.

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Edwards was an observer with 45 Sqn and was killed when his Strutter aircraft serial A2381 was shot down.

Sedgwick was killed when Camel serial F1417 crashed at Fairlop, UK.

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Hugh

Just to expand on Terry's reply a little, Capt D W Edwards MC was the observer in Strutter A2381 piloted by 2Lt Colin StGeorge Campbell [a Canadian] when they were shot down near Pecq at 1048 or 1050 by Ltn Joachim von Bertrab of Jasta 30. Ltn von Bertrab was credited with No 45 Sqn Strutters A1093 and A2381 within two minutes that day; they were the 3rd and 4th of his eventual 5 victories before he was brought down and captured by Lt E W Mannock of No 40 Sqn RFC on 12 August 1917.

A photograph of Ltn von Bertrab's distinctive Albatros D.III is below.

Gareth

post-25-1093248983.jpg

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