Major C. R. Bradley, CO 31 Sqn RAF 1916-19 (?)

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear GWF members,

Can any fellow-aficionado provide a portrait - or, even better, an Officer Group photo in front of a Be2c aircraft - of 31 Squadron RAF Commanding Officer

Major C. R. Bradley (or other 31 Sqn officers), please...?

In 1916, the squadron was based at Risalpur, on the NW Frontier of India.

"A" Flight Commander: Capt Colin McDonald

"B" Flight Commander: Capt G. L. Hunting

"C" Flight Commander: Capt D. R. Hanlow

Unusually, 31 Sqn RAF also had a 2iC: Major Steele-Hutcheson.

The handsome Major Bradley was known as "Beautiful Braddles". Furthermore, Capt Hunting later founded The Hunting Aircraft Company.

2Lt (later Lt) David Thomson, whose Image I especially require, was seconded from 9th Manchesters to 31 Sqn (as Observer) on 3 Nov 1918...

Kindest regards,

Kim.

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear All,

 

THE OFFICERS COMMANDING 31 SQN, RAF 1915-21

 

Capt C. Y. MacDonald: 11 October 1915

Major C. R. S. Bradley: 27 March 1916 (‘Beautiful Braddles’)

Major S. Hutcheson: 23 May 1917

Major R. G. H. Murray, MC: 22 July 1917

Capt O. Hughes: September 1918

Major E. L. Millar, MBE: 1 December 1918

Flt Lt D. H. M. Carbery, MC, DFC: 10 August 1919

Sqn Ldr A. L. Neale: 22 January 1920

Sqn Ldr A. T. Harris, AFC: 26 January 1921 (MRAF ‘Bomber’ Harris)

 

Major Murray, MC; Capt Hughes; Major Millar, MBE; and Flt Lt Carbery, MC, DFC, all commanded during Thomson’s time with 31 Squadron (29 July 1918 to 21 October 1919).

 

Kindest regards,

Kim.