Jump to content
The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Name this man - pic taken, as a boy, in 1896


Guest Pete Wood

Recommended Posts

Either he really didn't change much as he aged, or I'm getting better at this identification lark....

By the way, speaking of T E Lawrence, one of the surviving British veterans claims to have flown with him, is this possible? I know that Lawrence enlisted as an OR in the RAF after the war using the name Ross, but never heard he flew. Any information, as always, gratefully received.

Mark

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Essexboy68

TE served for a while with the RAF Air Sea Rescue Group in the Firth of Forth area He was nominally based at Donibristle 'Drome but spent most of his time at the "RAF Jetty" at Inverkeithing. I must have seen him there when I was a small boy swimming at the Jetty but knew nothing about him then. By coincidence my next door neighbour after I was married had been his CO and his daughter still has a letter to Bill sent to him shortly before TE was killed. Apparently TE used to appear in the local Fish & Chip Shop on Friday's according to my cousin who, being a good deal older than me, remembers him very well but he could be having me on. I knew nothing about this until I got married and was quite astonished when Bill, his CO, told me. It was not unusual for TE and him to go to the "Pictures" together in Dunfermline. The Air Sea Rescue Group left the area to cover the Schneider Trophy Race in the south of England.

Regards

Jim Gordon

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jim

Thanks for the info, always interesting to hear more about this man.

Is anyone able to shed light on whether T E ever flew in an aircraft during WW1?

Cheers

Mark

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Pete Wood

Yes, TEL flew during the war.

He also flew after the war and was involved in an aeroplane crash, in a Handley Page bomber, while flying from Paris to Cairo (allegedly) - after the peace talks had ended.

The flight is still surrounded in mystery, and the crash near Pisa unexplained.

The pilot (died instantly) and co-pilot of the aeroplane were killed:

Name: PRINCE, FREDERICK GEORGE

Initials: F G

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Regiment: Royal Air Force

Unit Text: 58th Sqdn.

Age: 27

Date of Death: 17/05/1919

Additional information: Only son of Frederick John and Elizabeth Prince, of 47, Rosendale Rd., Dulwich, London.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: 1563.

Cemetery: ROME (TESTACCIO) PROTESTANT CEMETERY

Name: SPRATT, SIDNEY

Initials: S

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Regiment: Royal Air Force

Unit Text: 58th Sqdn.

Age: 19

Date of Death: 17/05/1919

Additional information: Son of Henry and Sarah Spratt, of 217, Sea View Rd., Wallasey, Cheshire.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: 1564.

Cemetery: ROME (TESTACCIO) PROTESTANT CEMETERY

TEL sustained a broken collar bone, broken ribs and mild concussion.

TEL also had a few lessons in a dual control Tiger Moth, in 1929, but preferred the thrill of his motorbike to flying.

Who was your veteran? Perhaps we can nail down the flight concerned....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rigger William Roberts, 104 Signed up aged 15 after his father was killed at the Somme in 1916, joining the Royal Flying Corps. Worked as an aircraft fitter and claims to have flown with TE Lawrence. Later became a local authority transport manager. Lives in Jacksdale, Notts.

The above taken from the Observer Sunday 14th November 2004

Pete

This is the veteran I am talking about, it caught my attention for obvious reasons.

Hope this helps you.

Mark

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is it not true that his brother was a fighter pilot during WW1, from memory I think he had 'Gone West' as it were :huh:

No its not true! TEL's younger brother, William, was an observer although he would almost certainly have gone on to pilot training had he survived. He was KIA with Cecil Marks (pilot) 23 Oct 1915. He is buried at St. Souplet, close to another brother of a famous WW1 hero, John Anthony McCudden MC, brother of Jimmy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Pete Wood
Rigger William Roberts, 104 Signed up aged 15 after his father was killed at the Somme in 1916, joining the Royal Flying Corps. Worked as an aircraft fitter and claims to have flown with TE Lawrence. Later became a local authority transport manager. Lives in Jacksdale, Notts.

The above taken from the Observer Sunday 14th November 2004

Pete

This is the veteran I am talking about, it caught my attention for obvious reasons.

Hope this helps you.

Mark

Hmmm. Lawrence didn't have a pilot's licence. Neither, I assume, did Roberts.

So, if the story is correct, they must have flown in a large(ish) aeroplane, capable of carrying at least three people. Now that doesn't leave many options (most WW1 aeroplanes were two seaters).

So I am guessing that the flight was probably post-war.

In the aeroplane crash (at Centocelle) I mentioned, above, the report says that TEL was in the back of the aeroplane, accompanied by two airmen.....

When did Roberts leaves the RFC/RAF?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pete

I am afraid that I have no other information on Mr Roberts. However, I am sure someone, somewhere will will be able to shed more light on this...........

Cheers

Mark

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...