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Remembered Today:

Special flying with the fleet


Depdogcov

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Dear forum,

I am currently researching Geoffrey Meeker Clark who was a Flight Sub-Lieutenant in the RNAS. His RAF records show him as being stationed at East Fortune (1.1.1918) and in the Special remarks section it states “Special flying with the fleet”. Can anyone shed any light on what this specifically means? Was Clark a pilot or observer (or neither)? On 8.10.1918 Clark is transferred from HMS Repulse to 1 Fighter School. A very basic question but did HMS Repulse have aircraft on board and what would Clark have been doing? 

 

Any info would be much appreciated.

 

Many thanks,

Paul

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57 minutes ago, Depdogcov said:

Dear forum,

I am currently researching Geoffrey Meeker Clark who was a Flight Sub-Lieutenant in the RNAS. His RAF records show him as being stationed at East Fortune (1.1.1918) and in the Special remarks section it states “Special flying with the fleet”. Can anyone shed any light on what this specifically means? Was Clark a pilot or observer (or neither)? On 8.10.1918 Clark is transferred from HMS Repulse to 1 Fighter School. A very basic question but did HMS Repulse have aircraft on board and what would Clark have been doing? 

 

Any info would be much appreciated.

 

Many thanks,

Paul

Hi

Air-Britain's 'Royal Navy Shipboard Aircraft Developments 1912-1931' has some information.  Page 94 mentions that on 2 September 1918, HMS Repulse (Battle-cruiser) had three aircrew on board, Flt Cdr D.G. Donald, joined ship 5 March 1918.  Flt Lt G.M. Clark, 1 January 1918. Wt Off G.E. Durrance (O), 27 April 1918.  Durrance is noted as observer so one presumes the other two were pilots.  The aircraft would fly off of 'B' Turret.

Aircraft during Clark's period on board could have included, at different times, 2F1 Camel -  N6606 (Feb 18), N6638 (Feb to March 18), N7105 (Oct to Nov 18), N7106 (Oct to Dec 18).  Ships Strutter - A5988 (May to July 18), A5988 (May 18), A6967 (Sept 18), A8300 (Aug 18), F2224 (Oct 18).  Pup - N6455 (Jan 18).  Parnall Panther - N92 (Oct 18).

 

Camels could be used to intercept enemy reconnaissance aeroplanes/airships, Ships Strutters could do reconnaissance/artillery spotting.

I hope that is of use.

 

Mike

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Royal Aero Club records on ancestry show that an RN Officer of the same name passed his Pilots Licence at RNAS Cranwell 24 October 1917.  Index card & photo attached courtesy of ancestry.

 

441542069_ScreenShot2020-01-28at16_54_28.png.1884d87f7d3037e24905464ac2cf795d.png

 

 1481043441_ScreenShot2020-01-28at16_48_25.png.ea96e0a701a58f41e7221de51c631e80.png

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