Stuartmorgan Posted 12 July , 2019 Share Posted 12 July , 2019 Hi I have a Christmas card from no 3 squadron Netheravon wilts 1913 The names I only have is Frank so how would I trace him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nieuport11 Posted 13 July , 2019 Share Posted 13 July , 2019 He isn't necessarily an officer, but the only officer I can see with the name Frank was Francis Gordon Small. However, he doesn't appear to have married before the war and so it doesn't explain who 'Emmie' was I suggest you should try and find an annotated pre-war photo of the squadron, then look at the military record of any Frank to see who the next of kin was, or search the census and marriage records on familysearch.org etc to find Emmie/Emily/Emma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helpjpl Posted 13 July , 2019 Share Posted 13 July , 2019 As I understand it, No. 3 Squadron was formed at Larkhill in May 1912, from No. 2 (Aeroplane) Company of the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers, and moved to Netheravon in June 1913. 2nd Corporal Frank Ridd served with No. 3 Company Balloon School, Royal Engineers, and was with the RFC at Larkhill when he gained his Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate on 04 June 1912. Frank Ridd married Emma Constance Fisher at the parish church (St John), Farncombe, Surrey, on 12 July 1913. JP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quemerford Posted 13 July , 2019 Share Posted 13 July , 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, helpjpl said: As I understand it, No. 3 Squadron was formed at Larkhill in May 1912, from No. 2 (Aeroplane) Company of the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers, and moved to Netheravon in June 1913. 2nd Corporal Frank Ridd served with No. 3 Company Balloon School, Royal Engineers, and was with the RFC at Larkhill when he gained his Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate on 04 June 1912. Frank Ridd married Emma Constance Fisher at the parish church (St John), Farncombe, Surrey, on 12 July 1913. JP Oh good work! Not 100% confirmation but probably the closest you could ever hope for. Edited 13 July , 2019 by quemerford Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fetubi Posted 13 July , 2019 Share Posted 13 July , 2019 Very impressive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josquin Posted 14 July , 2019 Share Posted 14 July , 2019 JP, Outstanding feat of research and detective work, given that your point of origin was a forename, a date, and a squadron number! Josquin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickdavis Posted 14 July , 2019 Share Posted 14 July , 2019 Ridd was born in Plymouth (2.4.1884) if that helps. The excellent book A Contemptible Little Flying Corps (L. McInnes & JV Webb, London Stamp Exchange 1991) gives another 3 Franks with 3 Squadron during 1913 - 79 AM1 Frank Preen, 329 AM1 Frank Wilkes Goddard (who later served in 5 Sqn) and 238 AM1 Frank Pratt (who was also a pilot). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helpjpl Posted 14 July , 2019 Share Posted 14 July , 2019 59 minutes ago, mickdavis said: Ridd was born in Plymouth (2.4.1884) if that helps. The excellent book A Contemptible Little Flying Corps (L. McInnes & JV Webb, London Stamp Exchange 1991) gives another 3 Franks with 3 Squadron during 1913 - 79 AM1 Frank Preen, 329 AM1 Frank Wilkes Goddard (who later served in 5 Sqn) and 238 AM1 Frank Pratt (who was also a pilot). I'd already checked them out and it seems all 3 were single in 1913. Frank Gilbert Preen married Emma Harris in 1915. Frank Wilkes Goddard married Kitty Co Bayfield in 1917. Frank Pratt married Maude E Dolphin in 1922. JP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helpjpl Posted 21 July , 2019 Share Posted 21 July , 2019 Did you try the RAF Museum Archive Collection? Contact details: https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/default/archive-collection.aspx JP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuartmorgan Posted 30 July , 2019 Author Share Posted 30 July , 2019 On 14/07/2019 at 18:50, helpjpl said: Thankyou all for all your hard work, maybe Frank preen had a long engagement with Emma. Would explain emmie, does anyone know his rank. Many thanks Stuart Or Frank ridd is closer does anyone know his rank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helpjpl Posted 30 July , 2019 Share Posted 30 July , 2019 1. Frank Ridd - page 57: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=O2G-BAAAQBAJ&pg=PA57&lpg=PA57&dq=Frank+Ridd&source=bl&ots=6h10ERb2NU&sig=ACfU3U3TkWBDdB4ktwn-BU1gsoj-R4s5QA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjRxNKq3NzjAhVColwKHVXSB7sQ6AEwCXoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false 2. Imperial War Museum - First NCO to gain pilots certificate: 3. Flight magazine 10 July 1914 - Frank Ridd at Netheravon: JP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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