RFC Establishment near Maldon, June 1917

[SamCurt]

While compiling details regarding John Percy WIDMANN (1894-1974), son of a German-born father who had become a nationalised British Subject in 1896, I have found that during WWI this gentleman served in the RNVR and Army, before being attached to the RFC.

 

Returning from a steel works in Spain to volunteer for service with the RNDs Wireless Section, like many others of German parentage he was "discharged" and transferred to The Kaiser's Own (D Company, 31st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment), when the relevant Army Council Instruction was issued in June 1916.

 

As a private in the 6th Independent Labour Company, he was then attached to a Transport Section of the RFC, apparently staying with them until the war ended

While I have currently been unable to verify any specific locations for Percy's service, it has been found that on 28 June 1917 he and two RFC privates were fined 5 bob at Maldon County Sessions for riding bicycles without lights, one of the RFC men caught in Woodham Mortimer (re: Essex County Chronicle, 29 June 1917).

 

From the Merseyside Aviation Society's British Isles Airfield Guide of WWI Aerodromes, 1918 (1981 edition), it has been found that in relation to Maldon, as the crow flies, Stow Maries was about 4½ miles south and Goldhanger about 3½ miles to the east, but it only notes these locations' activities from 1 April 1918.

Were they, or any other RFC establishment in the area, operational during June 1917?

 

Thanks,
Sam

(PS Following the war he became a tax man... but don't hold that against him!)

[DavidOwen]

Hi Sam

 

Found this but.... 

 

 

...I thought 37 Sqdn was at Stow Maries

 

Link to site http://www.ukairfieldguide.net/airfields/Maldon-flying-sites

 

Regards

David

[SamCurt]

Dave,

 

Thanks for finding that.  Given the period, it's hardly surprising that locations of units changed... sometimes to a location just down the road.

 

Sam

[stephen p nunn]

37 HD Squadron had their HQ at The Grange, Woodham Mortimer and flights located at Goldhanger, Stow Maries and Rochford.

Regards.

Stephen (Maldon).

[SamCurt]

Thanks for that Steve.

 

You win this week's prize for mentioning Woodham Mortimer, Goldhanger and Stow Maries in one sentence.

 

It will be sent by... --++ CARRIER LOST ++--

[topgun1918]

From rafweb.org:

 

Originally formed as an experimental unit at the Experimental Station, Orfordness on 15 April 1916, it was absorbed by the station in May, thereby losing its individual identity.  However, a new 37 formed on 15 September 1916 as a Home Defence unit to cover the South-East.  With headquarters at Woodham Manor it operated from landing grounds at Goldhanger, Rochford and Stow Maries.  The squadron had one success with a BE12 brought down the Zeppelin L48 over Suffolk on 16/17 June 1917.  The squadron moved to Biggin Hill in March 1919 where it received some Snipes but on 1 July 1919 it was disbanded by being re-numbered No 39.

 

I suspect that 'Woodham Manor' is actually Woodham Mortimer since Woodham Manor is just west of Shottisham, Suffolk.

 

Graeme

 

[stephen p nunn]

On ‎29‎/‎03‎/‎2019 at 10:10, SamCurt said:

Thanks for that Steve.

 

You win this week's prize for mentioning Woodham Mortimer, Goldhanger and Stow Maries in one sentence.

 

It will be sent by... --++ CARRIER LOST ++--

A shot I took of Stow Maries as it is today.

Regards.

Stephen.

[SamCurt]

Graeme,

Thanks for pinning down that the 37 Sqn sites mentioned were operating in June 1917.  Best guess is that all three of them were attached in some way.  Unfortunately [RAF] Airman Service Records found for men named James ELLIS and Henry CHERRY, the other two RFC privates fined at the same time, do not appear to contain any reference of time on the squadron, possibly as it was pre-RAF and they may have been posted by April 1918.

 

Stephen,

Thanks for the current photo... looks like the light-less bicycle brigade are gathering for a belated protest in the lower parking area!

 

Sam

[Red Gate]

At Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome we have been compiling lists of personnel who were with 37 Squadron.  Unfortunately we have no mention of John Percy Widmann, nor James Ellis or Henry Cherry in our records.  But that is not to say that they were not based at Stow Maries, Goldhanger or Rochford!

 

Peter

Edited 30 May , 2019 by Red Gate

[SamCurt]

Peter,

 

Thanks for the post.

 

Just for information, Percy Widmann would appear to have been a private attached to the RFC, while the others were privates in the RFC.

 

--Article start--

28 June 1917 (The Essex County Chronicle, No. 7,972, Friday, 29 June 1917, p6c1)

MALDON COUNTY SESSION.

YESTERDAY.

Before Christopher W. Parker (Chairman), T. Elsey Bland and E.T. Baker, Esqrs.

Cyclists Fined.—Percy Widman [sic], private, Middlesex Regt., was fined 5s. for riding a bicycle without a front or rear light.—James Ellis, private, R.F.C., was fined 5s. for a similar offence at Woodham Mortimer.—Henry Cherry, private, R.F.C., similarly summoned, was fined 5s.

--Article finish--

 

Sam