Patrick Henry Whitwell.

[Bob Coulson]

Would be grateful for any info on 2nd Lt Whitwell who served with the Yorkshire Regiment and was killed while flying April 25th 1918 while with the 4th squadron RAF.

Bob.

[Grovetown]

Hi Bob

Whitwell was an observer in RE8 serial B5102, piloted by 2Lt CB Hunt (also killed). They were shot down in the course of a Contact Patrol at 07.45am following combat with Hostile Aircraft. Aircraft wrecked. The Map ref: is Sheet 17 W.28.1.08; but I can't tell you where that is. All from The Sky their Battlefield.

Rgds,

Grovetown.

[Dolphin]

Bob

A little more infomation from 'Airmen Died': 2Lt Whitwell came to the RFC/RAF from 1/2 Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. Lt Charles Basil Hunt, from Kenley, Surrey, apppears to have been commissioned directly into the RFC/RAF.

As Grovetown says, TSTB states that B5102 was in combat with Hostile Aircraft before it was shot down. It doesn't look like there's a corresponding claim from a German Jasta pilot, so perhaps they were fighting a two-seater.

However, 'Airmen Died' indicates that the airmen were 'killed while flying', ie in an accident.

Cheers

Gareth

[Bob Coulson]

Gareth/Grovetown,

Many thanks for the information, very helpful as always.

Bob.