Where is a map reference for crashed aircraft?

[jamesday]

Hi

A map reference of :

Sh28D.20.H.93

is given in Henshaws book for a crashed RE8, no.A3768, of 21 Sqn piloted by Capt JH Cotton Minchin on 12th Oct 1917. Near Ypres

Could some kind soul please place that on a trench map and/or a modern map please?

Thank you so much.

James

[ss002d6252]

Sheet 28 , square D20 should make it somewhere the N/W of Zonnebke , not far from Hill 37.

http://lt1.mcmaster.ca/ww1/wrz4mp.php?grid=28&map_id=371&view


Craig

[jamesday]

Hi Craig

Thanks for the speedy reply and map.

Do we suspect the 'h' in the reference should be a 'b' or a 'd'?

The 'd.9.3' would put it straight on the Bostin Farm yard, so perhaps it is the 'b.9.3' ref, which is a field N of the Zonnebeke stream and south of Van Isackere Farm? The pilot/obs survived the crash though wounded. A field sounds a better bet.

James

[Fattyowls]

James

I might be a bit late given your reply but if I'm following Craig's references correctly this should be the location just NW of Zonnebeke; the modern shot is from Google Maps and is squarish. Sorry I couldn't be absolutely geometrical. The words British Cemetery refers to Dochy Farm and the centre of the square is about here https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=50.877247,2.966974

Pete.

[jamesday]

Thanks Pete

I agree and my 'b.9.3' ref puts it here I reckon.

James

[Fattyowls]

James

I'll look forward to the headline "RFC Researcher Finds Intact WW1 Aircraft in Belgian Field".

Pete.

[Phil Evans]

James,

Here is part of an overlay that I did for another thread recently. It's not inch perfect, as it originally covered a larger area.

Trevor is a member of the Forum. If you contact him, he may be able to check the map reference against his source material.

Phil

[jamesday]

Thanks Phil

I have overlaid the co-ords as here:

so perhaps either site will do.

I believe the front line was a mile or so to the East on 12th Oct 17.

Excuse my ignorance but Trevor?

[jamesday]

An amended satellite view

[jamesday]

Doh. Trevor Henshaw of course. Sorry!!

[jamesday]

These are JH Cotton Minchin and his son Douglas, both with Cameronians headwear

[Fattyowls]

These are JH Cotton Minchin and his son Douglas, both with Cameronians headwear

James

Do you have the story of these two men or can you point me to a source? It looks really interesting. One of the soldiers I am researching served with the 2nd Battalion, the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and I would be intrigued to know if he might have served with either father or son.

Pete.

[jamesday]

Pete

I am the main source! I know relatively little about the father J H. Trevor has agreed that an entry in his book for 28/8/15 is probably him, as an Lt. observer in a BE2c of 4 Sqn. So he was not with the Cameronians for long at the start of the war. But he returned to them after the war, becoming a T/Major and serving in India in 1920. On retirement he became an author (of The Legion Book) and joined the Consular service, dying in 1966. Born in 1894. Buried in Buckland, Surrey.

His MIC has him landing in France with 1st Bn on 14 or 15/8/14 as a 2/Lt. Then Secondment to the RFC.

He was in a convalescent home in Scotland in Nov 17 after his WIA in Oct 17 when he applied for his 1914 Star. He was married in London on 18/5/17 and Douglas was born 6/5/18.

The Son Douglas joined the 2nd Bn Cameronians on 26/9/38 after Sandhurst. Later became Chief Instructor at Achnacarry Castle and was KIA at Comacchio in March 45.

Hope this helps

James