2/Lt William Gordon Brown 19th Sqdn

[Derek Robertson]

2/Lt William Gordon Brown 19th Sqdn died on the 7th May 1918 and was buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension. He was 21 years.

William was the son of William and Nettie Brown of Motherwell, Ontario.

Can anyone shed some light onto his history or that of 19th Sqdn at this time?

[Dolphin]

Derek

2Lt W G Brown was flying Sopwith 5F.1 Dolphin C3841 of No 19 Sqn RAF when he died on 7 May 1918.

Airmen Died indicates that he was killed in action, but he's not listed in The Sky Their Battlefield, something that usually indicates that the death wasn't the result of enemy action.

No 19 Sqn was one of the four Dolphin squadrons on the Western Front, the others being Nos 23, 79 and 87. The type was a very effective fighter. C3841 would have looked rather like the No 19 Sqn Dolphin (C4129) shown below; the 'dumbbell' on the fuselage is the squadron's distinguishing marking.

I hope that this is useful.

Gareth

[Derek Robertson]

Gareth,

Thank you very much indeed.

[Martyn Gibson]

Derek,

19 Squadron were formed at Castle Bromich in Spe 1915, the unit moved to France in July 1916, equipped with BE 12s. Due to the failure of these aircraft in the fighting role, bomber operations were flown during November, but early in 1917 Spad S VIIs were received, allowing an effective fighting role to be resumed. These aircraft were supplemented and then replaced by Spad S XIIIs later in the year, notable exponents of this aircraft with the unit including Cap J Leacroft, Capt F Sowrey and Lt AAND Pentland. In January 1918 the unit become the first to receive Spowith Dolphins, 269 victories were claimed, 22 pilots gaining five or more.

Hope that is of some use to you. If you would like a list of the 22 Pilots listed as "Top Guns" just let me know.

Regards

Martyn

[Derek Robertson]

Thanks for the info Martyn