pjwmacro Posted 23 June , 2017 Share Posted 23 June , 2017 Struggling to interpret the Service Records of David McGeachie LAPRAIK, both handwriting and abbreviations. I know he was born 06 Dec 1899 and served both in the ranks (#110645) and was then commissioned (P246381?). I cannot work out when he joined (11 Dec 17 or 20 Jul 18 - at Eastchurch??). I think he was commissioned in 1919 - but exactly when? And I am not clear where/ who he served with, except that he was with 20 Sqn on the NWF during the 3rd Afghan War, where he was shot down and wounded. I think he was discharged 18 May 1920? Any help appreciated Thanks Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFBSM Posted 23 June , 2017 Share Posted 23 June , 2017 (edited) Entered the RFC: 8.12.17 Entered the RAF: 1.4.18 Commissioned: 25.9.18 (Temporary Commission) Attached No.2 Officers Training Wing(?) Eastchurch - 20.7.18 Transferred from W.T. School to BEF - 29.9.18 as a Reconnaisance Observer Edited 23 June , 2017 by BFBSM Additional notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjwmacro Posted 23 June , 2017 Author Share Posted 23 June , 2017 5 hours ago, BFBSM said: Entered the RFC: 8.12.17 Entered the RAF: 1.4.18 Commissioned: 25.9.18 (Temporary Commission) Attached No.2 Officers Training Wing(?) Eastchurch - 20.7.18 Transferred from W.T. School to BEF - 29.9.18 as a Reconnaisance Observer Thanks BFBSM. - can you work out were he was as an airman - ie through Jan - Sep 18? - W.T. = Wireless Telegraphy? - BEF = France? So he was sent to a Sqn in France before he was sent to 20 Sqn in India? Best, Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFBSM Posted 24 June , 2017 Share Posted 24 June , 2017 3 hours ago, pjwmacro said: Thanks BFBSM. - can you work out were he was as an airman - ie through Jan - Sep 18? - W.T. = Wireless Telegraphy? - BEF = France? So he was sent to a Sqn in France before he was sent to 20 Sqn in India? Best, Paul 1. I think he was at Eastchurch and didn't leave there, until posted to his Squadron. 2. I think that it is Wireless Telegraphy. 3. I am not sure he got there when one looks at the dates, I think he went straight to India. - Not sure, I will have another look. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sepoy Posted 24 June , 2017 Share Posted 24 June , 2017 Have you looked for David here???http://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/pages/raf_vault.php?&RAF-titel=LAPRAIK&van=1 Sepoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjwmacro Posted 26 June , 2017 Author Share Posted 26 June , 2017 On 2017-6-24 at 02:43, BFBSM said: 1. I think he was at Eastchurch and didn't leave there, until posted to his Squadron. 2. I think that it is Wireless Telegraphy. 3. I am not sure he got there when one looks at the dates, I think he went straight to India. - Not sure, I will have another look. Mark Thanks Mark. Much appreciated. Regards,Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjwmacro Posted 26 June , 2017 Author Share Posted 26 June , 2017 On 2017-6-24 at 04:07, Sepoy said: Have you looked for David here???http://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/pages/raf_vault.php?&RAF-titel=LAPRAIK&van=1 Sepoy Thanks Sepoy I was informed about RAF Museum History vault a little while back and have seen these casualty cards before -just attempting to find those of his pilot,A/Capt George Eastwood - who was rather more seriously injured. Thanks for your assistance. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjwmacro Posted 27 June , 2017 Author Share Posted 27 June , 2017 On 24/06/2017 at 02:43, BFBSM said: 1. I think he was at Eastchurch and didn't leave there, until posted to his Squadron. 2. I think that it is Wireless Telegraphy. 3. I am not sure he got there when one looks at the dates, I think he went straight to India. - Not sure, I will have another look. Mark Mark, having had another look at the service record, casualty cards and 20 Sqn Op record, I think he must have gone from Eastchurch to the BEF - 20 Sqn in France at PROYART. The Sqn then shipped from Marsaillies to India in May 1919 - and David Lapraik went with them. Best Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjwmacro Posted 27 June , 2017 Author Share Posted 27 June , 2017 On 24/06/2017 at 04:07, Sepoy said: Have you looked for David here???http://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/pages/raf_vault.php?&RAF-titel=LAPRAIK&van=1 Sepoy He was a bit accident prone! Or maybe unlucky with his pilots. Before the incident in India in which I have an interest there was one crash just before the war ended and another after the war ended. 3 crashes and he survived them all. Best, Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjwmacro Posted 26 October , 2017 Author Share Posted 26 October , 2017 (edited) More about the incident in which Lapraik was shot down and injured: http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/topic/251188-downing-of-20-squadron-bristol-fighter-30-jul-1919 Edited 26 October , 2017 by pjwmacro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtiss313 Posted 6 June , 2021 Share Posted 6 June , 2021 Hello, Just come across your post about David Lapraik. I am at the moment transcribing the logbook and diaries of Capt Tom Owen who would go on to serve with No4 Squadron on the Western Front between June 1917 and June 1918. Having transcribed the parts of the diary about his operational experience I am now transcribing the part about Tom Owen's experiences in training. Tom began his flight training in December 1916 at Aboukir, Egypt and mentions going out somewhere around Aboukir with a chap with the surname Lapraik. As there only appears to be one Lapraik shown in the National Archives https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=lapraik&discoveryCustomSearch=true&_cr1=WO+339&_cr2=WO+374&_hb=tna I am assuming that it is the same David Lapraik talked about in your post. From looking at the diaries the last time Lapraik is mentioned is 12th January 1917 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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