Royal East Kent Regiment (Buffs) and RFC

[dawrana]

Looking to identify an Observer in the RFC, seconded from the Royal East Kent Regiment (the Buffs). He has the medal ribbon for the Military Cross (which could have been awarded while with the Buffs or while with the RFC). Only one wing up, so an Observer, not a Pilot. Probably 2nd Lieutenant. No idea whether he survived the War, or not.

Any ideas for any suitable candidates?

[Airshipped]

One MC winner that served with the Buffs and RFC was Frank Douglas Holder but he definitely obtained his wings. Couldn't imagine that the combination of MC, Buffs and "flying O" would turn up too many candidates.

Alas quick glance at the 'Flight' archive turns up dozens and dozens of pilots, or deaths in either combat or training etc (Albert Erskine Carson Archer, William Wetherall Chapman, Charles Meredith Bouverie Chapman, Ernest Stanley Patrick Hynes, George Alfred Prime Jones, Alwyne Travers Loyd) but only a handful of observers.

Here's one Observer, Lt Harold George Collins, but alas no reference to the Military Cross:

http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1917/1917%20-%200404.html?search=buffs

Here's another potential candidate, Lt Cecil Martin Sankey MC. He had only recently qualified as a pilot, i.e. could the uniform still need a visit to the tailors for his wings?

http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1918/1918%20-%200599.html?search=buffs

Another example of a recently qualified pilot's death, but in this instance 2/Lt Gerald W.F. Clarke had only a few school prizes to his name, i.e. no MC:

http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1918/1918%20-%201006.html?search=buffs

Here's another ambiguous one. Captain Frank Neville Hudson was an MC-winner, served with the Buffs, but no squadron is mentioned and so it's hard to tell whether he was pilot or observer when taken POW:

http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1917/1917%20-%200979.html?search=buffs

The wounded A.M. Wray is most likely the WWII chap, Arthur Moyston Wray. He won the MC in WWI, so was probably for the incident that involved him being wounded. You'd need to check when he received his wings, as Wray could well have been an observer at this point in the war:

http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1917/1917%20-%200580.html?search=buffs

[dawrana]

Turns out to be Lieut. M J Wyatt in 5 Squadron. Thanks to all those who viewed and to "Old Sweat" for his helpful contribution.

[headgardener]

Looking to identify an Observer in the RFC, seconded from the Royal East Kent Regiment (the Buffs). He has the medal ribbon for the Military Cross (which could have been awarded while with the Buffs or while with the RFC). Only one wing up, so an Observer, not a Pilot. Probably 2nd Lieutenant. No idea whether he survived the War, or not.

Any ideas for any suitable candidates?

Turns out to be Lieut. M J Wyatt in 5 Squadron. Thanks to all those who viewed and to "Old Sweat" for his helpful contribution.

I just spotted your thread - is there any chance of posting a copy of your man's photo? I have a framed photo of an East Kents officer with a 'flying O', there's a name on the back but it must be the person who asked for the pic to be framed as the name doesn't match any officer in the East Kents or the RAF/RFC....

[dawrana]

Photograph attached.