Lt (n/k) Partridge, Killed Egypt 27 Jan 1915

[Ian Burns]

Lt Partridge was an observer with the French Seaplane Squadron based at Port Said. Forced down close to the British lines he and his pilot, QM Le Gall, were killed during the night as they approached the lines without the password.

 

I believe Lt Partridge was Indian Army, possibly Ceylon Rifles. he had briefly trained as an RFC observer before being sent to the French seaplanes. This was his first mission.

 

Any information on this officer, even if it is only his initials, would be most useful.

 

Ian

[thetrenchrat22]

Basil George Nicholas Benedict

[thetrenchrat22]

2/Rajput LI; Ceylon Rifles

 

Native of Merton Park, Surrey, Aged 23 

 

Accidentally shot by sentries after force landing near Port Said, Egypt

[Ian Burns]

Thanks trenchrat.

 

Now, I have a Lt K L Williams also 2nd Rajput L I who was an observer with the French squadron

He later served with the East Indies and Egypt Seaplane Squadron where he was nicknamed Long Williams, there was also a Petit Williams.

 

Would you have anything on him?

[HarryBrook]

K. L. Williams was Kenneth Lawson Williams, gazetted 2nd Lt. in the Indian Army Reserve of Officers 14 January 1915 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29133/page/3733

 

Resigned his commission with the rank of Capt. 1 May 1922 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/32749/page/6780 His name is in the first column. The heading is on page 6779

 

Edit to add: London Gazette notification of his promotion to temp Lt. whilst serving with the R.F.C. 1 December 1916 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29891/supplement/265

And relinquished his commission in the R.A.F. Technical Branch on reversion to the Indian Army Reserve of Officers 17 May 1919 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31543/page/11359 The heading is on the previous page.

 

Further Edit: If you have access, his R.A.F. service record can viewed on findmypast https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbm%2fair76%2f550%2f0%2f0347&parentid=gbm%2fair76%2f98104

Edited 15 September , 2019 by HarryBrook

[Ian Burns]

That's great - Thanks Harry

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear Ian,

Harry is a notoriously brilliant researcher!

Kindest regards,

Kim.

[sadbrewer]

Looks as though he may have attended Kings College School, Wimbledon.

[thetrenchrat22]

8 hours ago, Ian Burns said:

Thanks trenchrat.

 

Now, I have a Lt K L Williams also 2nd Rajput L I who was an observer with the French squadron

He later served with the East Indies and Egypt Seaplane Squadron where he was nicknamed Long Williams, there was also a Petit Williams.

 

Would you have anything on him?

 

Sadly no, I was just looking at Airmen died in the Great War when I saw your post

[Ian Burns]

Thanks to all who replied. I know have the information I require.

 

For interest I am attaching an article, anonymous but it can only have been written by K L Williams, about flying with l'escadrille de Port Said.

He was the only Indian Army observer with the escadrille to survive the war.

Enjoy.

 

Regards

Ian

The Aeroplane 24 Sept 1919 - Obs w French Sqn Prob K L Williams.pdf