Flight / Squadron Identification

[FROGSMILE]

1 hour ago, ROBPUGH said:

I have tried to enhance / sharpen these two Officers to bring out the detail.

 

The left hand officer is clearly a Royal Artillery subaltern of some sort, but despite looking from every angle I can’t discern the right hand officer’s regiment with any feeling of certainty, but he is definitely a captain.  The badge looks like it might have a Laurel wreath surrounding, but that’s the best I can say.  Someone with a larger monitor screen might fare better.

Edited 8 August , 2023 by FROGSMILE

[FROGSMILE]

28 minutes ago, PRC said:

Standard layout and with "Postcard" on top is more likely to mean of UK origin.

State of the foliage behind them would tend to argue against that time period and men could be found serving in the UK wearing the chevrons as a result of earlier overseas service. In this particular case I'm actually struggling to see any overseas service chevrons - just flaws on the photograph and some odd looking folds on lower sleeves.

Here's the example photograph used on our parent site, The Long, Long Trail, to illustrate how the overseas service chevrons should look.

Image courtesy https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/soldiers/how-to-research-a-soldier/tips-for-interpreting-photographs-of-men-in-uniform/whats-that-on-his-sleeve-an-overseas-service-chevron/

Not sure about the capbadges - the comparison pictures are actually more persuasive than the badge pictures
Will be interested to see what @FROGSMILE's view is.

I'm still inclined to go with the rank of Captain on that man. It would be odd to have two Lieutenant Colonels sat side by side if it is a unit picture. On a slightly different thought, MacNeece was in command of No 1 Balloon Training Depot, while Higman was attached to the (No.1) Balloon Training Wing. Both units were based at Roehamption. If this was a picture of the Depot Staff it might explain why Higman appears to be absent, (and why a second Lieutenant-Colonel wouldn't be present).

There are all sorts of reasons why the picture might have been taken and it's pure speculation on my part, but given the state of the foliage I'm womdering if it was taken to commemorate the birth of the Royal Air Force.

Cheers,
Peter

I concur with all your comments about location and time of year Peter.  There’s only one Lt Col in the shot and he’s immediately recognisable from the three rings on his cuff (field officer grade) and the more than one badge on his cuffs slashed flap.  All the other officers are either captains, or subalterns.

[ROBPUGH]

Many thanks again guys for all your help on this. It is very much appreciated.

It has been very interesting to see the logic and expertise you have employed to glean information from an old faded photograph.

If I am able to find any additional information, I will post an update on this thread.

If not, at least I have a photo of a R.F.C., R.N.A.S. & R.A.F. high flyer

[PRC]

On 07/08/2023 at 23:48, ROBPUGH said:

Could this 'Essex Regiment' Officer actually be in The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment?

Here’s Part 1 of a run through of officers, (Captains, Lieutenants and 2^nd Lieutenants), shown on the establishment of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment but attached to the Royal Flying Corps, from the March 1918 edition of the British Army List.

I’ve eliminated a few, but have hit a brickwall with the rest so hoping a fresh pair of eyes can do better.

Column 1327a 1^st & 2^nd Battalions (Regular) https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/103601354

Lieutenant T. Fawdry. MIC Thomas Fawdry, Lieutenant ex Corporal.Landed in France 12^th August 1914 as a Corporal in the RFC. No 1914 medal ribbon on display.
Lieutenant A. Knight. AIR76 for Alfred Knight, born 17^th December 1893.From April 1^st 1918 he was Acting Captain. Looks like rank was a continuation from the RFC as he was appointed Temporary Commander while acting as a Balloon Company Commander w.e.f. 2^nd November 1917.He was then serving with 26 Kite Balloon Section. No mention of him serving as an Adjutant or being back in the UK till 1919 as far as I can tell. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8281500
Lieutenant W.E. Somervell. MiC William Edmund Somervell, 2/Lt & Lt, initially 2 Squadron. Landed France 11.9.15. Killed while taking part in an airshow at Hendon in October 1928 when he was a Flight Lieutenant. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/212377
See update from @Tawhiri 10/08/2023. Prisoner of war in January 1916, repatriated November 1918.

Columns 1327c https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/103601366

Second Lieutenant F. Naylor. MiC as Second Lieutenant Frank Naylor noted killed in action 23-3-18. CWGC has him serving with the 59^th Squadron and remembered on the Arras Flying Services Memorial.
Second Lieutenant G.G. Walker. MiC shows him as Gerald Gladstone Walker subsequently Flight Officer and Captain RFC & RAF.According to a blogpost Gerald served with the (fixed wing) 35 Squadron at some point in 1918. https://35squadron.wordpress.com/2019/03/09/1918-personnel/
And also 1917. https://35squadron.wordpress.com/2017/12/02/nominal-roll-january-1917/

 Column 1328 3^rd Battalion. https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/103601378

Captain C.O. Fairbairn. MiC as Charles Osborne Fairbairn, 3^rd Loyal North Lancs & 10^th Squadron RFC. First landed in France 25^th July 1915. Pictures of him later in life when he served in WW2 can be seen here – but I don’t think he is our man https://www.1wags.org.au/information/featured-stories/wing-commander-charles-osborne-fairbairn/
Captain R.E. Cuff. MiC as Second Lieutenant Loyal North Lancs and R.A.F. Victory Medal and British War Medal only. AIR76 as R.E. Cuff. He relinquished his commission 26.6.18 on grounds of ill-health – seems to have been in and out of hospital since October 1916. He was mentioned in despatches in a London Gazette in the same months so I suspect it’s linked. See update from @Tawhiri 10/08/23. Robin Ernest Cuff. Sickness commenced in Mesopotamia, not known when he was medically repatriated to UK. Possible photo on Ancestry.
Lieutenant M.D.G. Scott, M.C.MiC as Maurice Douglas Guest Scott, Loyal North Lancs and Captain in the RAF.Awarded Military Cross. Landed France 1^st October 1915. Died in an accident 17.3.18. CWGC - Buried in the UK at Ockbrook (All Saints) Churchyard. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/351812/maurice-douglas-guest-scott/
Lives of the First World War has a picture and notes MC gazetted 27^th October 1917. Not our man, https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/3937685
Lieutenant S.C.T. Littlewood. MiC as Sydney Charles Thomas Littlewood, 2/Lt Loyal North Lancs, and Lt R.A.F. Victory Medal and British War Medal only. AIR76. Taken Prisoner of War 1^st June 1916 while serving as a Flight Commander with 25 Squadron. Repatriated 31^st December 1918.

Cheers,
Peter

Edited 11 August , 2023 by PRC
Updates

[FROGSMILE]

11 minutes ago, PRC said:

Here’s Part 1 of a run through of officers, (Captains, Lieutenants and 2^nd Lieutenants), shown on the establishment of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment but attached to the Royal Flying Corps, from the March 1918 edition of the British Army List.

 

I’ve eliminated a few, but have hit a brickwall with the rest so hoping a fresh pair of eyes can do better.

 

Column 1327a 1^st & 2^nd Battalions (Regular) https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/103601354

 

Lieutenant T. Fawdry. MIC Thomas Fawdry, Lieutenant ex Corporal.Landed in France 12^th August 1914 as a Corporal in the RFC. No 1914 medal ribbon on display.
Lieutenant A. Knight. AIR76 for Alfred Knight, born 17^th December 1893.From April 1^st 1918 he was Acting Captain. Looks like rank was a continuation from the RFC as he was appointed Temporary Commander while acting as a Balloon Company Commander w.e.f. 2^nd November 1917.He was then serving with 26 Kite Balloon Section. No mention of him serving as an Adjutant or being back in the UK till 1919 as far as I can tell. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8281500
Lieutenant W.E. Somervell. MiC William Edmund Somervell, 2/Lt & Lt, initially 2 Squadron. Landed France 11.9.15. Killed while taking part in an airshow at Hendon in October 1928 when he was a Flight Lieutenant. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/212377

 

Columns 1327c https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/103601366

 

Second Lieutenant F. Naylor. MiC as Second Lieutenant Frank Naylor noted killed in action 23-3-18. CWGC has him serving with the 59^th Squadron and remembered on the Arras Flying Services Memorial.
Second Lieutenant G.G. Walker. MiC shows him as Gerald Gladstone Walker subsequently Flight Officer and Captain RFC & RAF.According to a blogpost Gerald served with the (fixed wing) 35 Squadron at some point in 1918. https://35squadron.wordpress.com/2019/03/09/1918-personnel/
And also 1917. https://35squadron.wordpress.com/2017/12/02/nominal-roll-january-1917/

 Column 1328 3^rd Battalion. https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/103601378

 

Captain C.O. Fairbairn. MiC as Charles Osborne Fairbairn, 3^rd Loyal North Lancs & 10^th Squadron RFC. First landed in France 25^th July 1915. Pictures of him later in life when he served in WW2 can be seen here – but I don’t think he is our man https://www.1wags.org.au/information/featured-stories/wing-commander-charles-osborne-fairbairn/
Captain R.E. Cuff. MiC as Second Lieutenant Loyal North Lancs and R.A.F. Victory Medal and British War Medal only. AIR76 as R.E. Cuff. He relinquished his commission 26.6.18 on grounds of ill-health – seems to have been in and out of hospital since October 1916. He was mentioned in despatches in a London Gazette in the same months so I suspect it’s linked.
Lieutenant M.D.G. Scott, M.C.MiC as Maurice Douglas Guest Scott, Loyal North Lancs and Captain in the RAF.Awarded Military Cross. Landed France 1^st October 1915. Died in an accident 17.3.18. CWGC - Buried in the UK at Ockbrook (All Saints) Churchyard. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/351812/maurice-douglas-guest-scott/
Lives of the First World War has a picture and notes MC gazetted 27^th October 1917. Not our man, https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/3937685
Lieutenant S.C.T. Littlewood. MiC as Sydney Charles Thomas Littlewood, 2/Lt Loyal North Lancs, and Lt R.A.F. Victory Medal and British War Medal only. AIR76. Taken Prisoner of War 1^st June 1916 while serving as a Flight Commander with 25 Squadron. Repatriated 31^st December 1918.

 

Cheers,
Peter

 

Captain Cuff seems a possibility Peter, one can imagine an officer with recurring health problems being sent to a balloon unit in the U.K. in 1918.  Tracking down his photo if one exists would determine if he’s a goer or not.

Edited 10 August , 2023 by FROGSMILE

[Tawhiri]

1 hour ago, PRC said:

Captain R.E. Cuff. MiC as Second Lieutenant Loyal North Lancs and R.A.F. Victory Medal and British War Medal only. AIR76 as R.E. Cuff. He relinquished his commission 26.6.18 on grounds of ill-health – seems to have been in and out of hospital since October 1916. He was mentioned in despatches in a London Gazette in the same months so I suspect it’s linked.

It looks as though his original illness dates from early May 1916 while he was serving in Mesopotamia. He has a casualty card (person) in the RAF Museum Storyvault from this time period, I'm not sure what the first place name on the card is, but I can see Basra, Bombay, and Suez all mentioned on the front of the card. Airhistory.org has him joining 30 Squadron in Mesopotamia in March 1916, with nothing further after this date.

https://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/7000241193-cuff-r.e

Edited to add that according to the Gazette he was Robin Ernest Cuff.

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/28918/page/7695

Further edited to note that his name appears in the Great Britain, Royal Aero Club Aviators’ Certificates, 1910-1950 collection on Ancestry, so it is possible there may well be a photograph of him there if anybody has full access to Ancestry to check.

Edited 10 August , 2023 by Tawhiri

[Tawhiri]

1 hour ago, PRC said:

Lieutenant W.E. Somervell. MiC William Edmund Somervell, 2/Lt & Lt, initially 2 Squadron. Landed France 11.9.15. Killed while taking part in an airshow at Hendon in October 1928 when he was a Flight Lieutenant. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/212377

 

Columns 1327c https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/103601366

William Edmund Somervell can safely be eliminated. Both he and his observer were declared missing near Lille, France on 5 January 1916, after being attacked by a Fokker while escorting a tactical recce flight. He was taken PoW and subsequently repatriated on 18 November 1918.

[PRC]

Thank you @Tawhiri - list now updated.

Part 2 covers the 4th and 5th Battalions

 Columns 1328b, 1328c & 1328e 4^th Battalion https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/103601390

Captain H. Rogerson. MiC as H. Rogerson. First landed France 4^th May 1915. AIR76 as H. Rogerson. Captured 14^th June 1917 , repatriated 30^th December 1918.
Lieutenant W.R. Haggas. MiC as William Rockley Haggas. First landed France 1st August 1915. Nothing on his AIR76 to show him serving with any Kite Balloon unit or depot. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8267650
Lieutenant J.A. Jamieson. MiC as John Andrew Jamieson. Victory Medal and British War Medal only. From the AIR76 records he appeared to be a Fixed Wing pilot. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8277183
Lieutenant K. Norwood. MIC as K. Norwood, served in the ranks with the 4^th Bn, landed France 4^th May 1915, commissioned 19^th December 1915. AIR76 as Kenneth Norwood, born 19^th October 1894.Seems to have been serving as an Artillery Observer so possibly ground based – otherwise the record is bit difficult to follow. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8211338
Lieutenant W.V. Gray. AIR76 for William Victor Gray, born 20/09/1893, 4^th Bn Loyal North Lancs. Appears to have been Observer on Sopwiths 70 Squadron until unfit from March 1917. Subsequently an Embarkation Officer in the UK. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8266107
Lieutenant H.S.P. Walmsley. MiC as Hugh Sidney Porter Walmsley. First landed in France August 1917. RAF web has him serving with 55 Squadron as a Pilot, later Flight Commander, from September 1917 to August 1918. http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Walmsley.htm
Lieutenant J.L.P. Haynes. MiC for John L.P. Haynes. MiC shows Killed 11/3/18. CWGC has him as Lieutenant John Lorenzo Patrick Haynes.He was original buried by the Germans but no unit is stated for John on CWGC. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/321690/john-lorenzo-patrick-haynes/
2^nd Lieutenant R.H. Walker. AIR76 for Ronald Herbert Walker, born 14^th September 1897, 4^th Bn Loyal North Lancs. Serving with 29 Squadron at the start of 1918, wounded 6^th May 1918, noved onto the books of 25^th Squadron in England on the 14^th May 1918 and then served with various fixed wing training units in the UK from the 9^th September onwards.

Column 1329b & 1329c. 5^th Battalion https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/103601402

Captain F.W. Musson. MiC as F.W. Musson, A.F.C. First landed France 12.2.15. AIR76 as Francis William Musson, born 31^st May 1894, 5^th Bn Loyal North Lancs. A Mechanical Engineering graduate from Cambridge he was put to work on air gunnery at the experimental station at Orfordness.
Captain R. K. Makant, M.C. MiC as Robert Keith Makant.First landed France 12.2.15. Noted as Deceased. No match on CWGC, although a possible brother, Captain Angus Virtue Markant died serving with the 5^th Battalion in France 14.3.15.  According to a cricketing website he died 18^th June 1922 at Bazyan Pass, Kurdistan. https://cricketarchive.com/Lancashire/Players/117/117074/117074.html
https://boltonremembers.org/regiment/h-m-iraq-levies/
His MC was in the New Years Honours for 1917 so that rules him out.
Lieutenant M.T. Wright. No obvious AIR76. MiC as M.T. Wright, 2/5^th Loyal North Lancs, RFC and RAF. Victory Medal and British War Medal only. Seniority as a Lieutenant is from the 1^st June 1916. Seconded for duty with the R.F.C. 2^nd February 1917 – LG 23/02/1917 page 1891 as M.T. Wright.
Lieutenant G.H. Higginson. MiC as George Harold F. Higginson, Serving in the Ranks with the Loyal North Lancs. Landed in France 12.2.15, Commissioned 1915. Reached rank of Captain in the RAF. AIR76 as George Harold Franenfelder Higginson, born 21^st February 1894. Worked on the Technical side, mainly at the Wing Level. In late 1918 was a Station Gunnery Officer.
Lieutenant A.G.C. Dann. No obvious MiC. AIR76 as Alfred George Cleeve Dann, born 4^th November 1883. 1/5^th Loyal North Lancs and Canadians. Had been an Observer and had done 10 hours solo flying at the time of the 1918 RAF Census, as well as served as an Instructor in Aerial Navigation & Map Reading. By July 1918 fit only for Home Service only.
Lieutenant N.N. Coope. MiC as Nathaniel Nicholson Coope. Victory Medal and British War Medal only. AIR76 as Nathaniel Nicholson Coope born 25^th June 1895. 5^th Bn Loyal North Lancs. Moved to 93 Squadron 27.3.18. Posted missing 24.9.18. Subsequently reported wounded and prisoner of war. Repatriated 3.12.18.
Lieutenant E. Harling. MiC as Edgar Harling. Victory Medal and British War Medal only. AIR76 as Edgar Harling, born 14^th May 1894. At the time of the RAF Census serving with the 192 (N) Training Squadron. Was an Observer an Lewis Gun Instructor. References in the health notes for 1918 for him as now judged fit enough to resume pilot duties.

Column 1329d. 5^th Battalion.  https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/103601414

Lieutenant C.L. Veitch. MiC as C.L. Veitch. Served in the ranks with the East Kent Regiment. Commissioned December 1915. MiC shows British War Medal and Victory Medal, but there is a note on the back about him being entitled to the 1914/15 Star. He did reach the rank of Captain in the RAF. AIR76 has a Charles Lionel Veitch, born 15^th August 1896 but he is shown as attached from South African forces. He qiualified as a Pilot and June 1918 was awarded the DSC.

Cheers,
Peter

[FROGSMILE]

2 minutes ago, PRC said:

Thank you @Tawhiri - list now updated.

Part 2 covers the 4th and 5th Battalions

 Columns 1328b, 1328c & 1328e 4^th Battalion https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/103601390

 

Captain H. Rogerson. MiC as H. Rogerson. First landed France 4^th May 1915. AIR76 as H. Rogerson. Captured 14^th June 1917 , repatriated 30^th December 1918.
Lieutenant W.R. Haggas. MiC as William Rockley Haggas. First landed France 1st August 1915. Nothing on his AIR76 to show him serving with any Kite Balloon unit or depot. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8267650
Lieutenant J.A. Jamieson. MiC as John Andrew Jamieson. Victory Medal and British War Medal only. From the AIR76 records he appeared to be a Fixed Wing pilot. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8277183
Lieutenant K. Norwood. MIC as K. Norwood, served in the ranks with the 4^th Bn, landed France 4^th May 1915, commissioned 19^th December 1915. AIR76 as Kenneth Norwood, born 19^th October 1894.Seems to have been serving as an Artillery Observer so possibly ground based – otherwise the record is bit difficult to follow. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8211338
Lieutenant W.V. Gray. AIR76 for William Victor Gray, born 20/09/1893, 4^th Bn Loyal North Lancs. Appears to have been Observer on Sopwiths 70 Squadron until unfit from March 1917. Subsequently an Embarkation Officer in the UK. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8266107
Lieutenant H.S.P. Walmsley. MiC as Hugh Sidney Porter Walmsley. First landed in France August 1917. RAF web has him serving with 55 Squadron as a Pilot, later Flight Commander, from September 1917 to August 1918. http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Walmsley.htm
Lieutenant J.L.P. Haynes. MiC for John L.P. Haynes. MiC shows Killed 11/3/18. CWGC has him as Lieutenant John Lorenzo Patrick Haynes.He was original buried by the Germans but no unit is stated for John on CWGC. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/321690/john-lorenzo-patrick-haynes/
2^nd Lieutenant R.H. Walker. AIR76 for Ronald Herbert Walker, born 14^th September 1897, 4^th Bn Loyal North Lancs. Serving with 29 Squadron at the start of 1918, wounded 6^th May 1918, noved onto the books of 25^th Squadron in England on the 14^th May 1918 and then served with various fixed wing training units in the UK from the 9^th September onwards.

Column 1329b & 1329c. 5^th Battalion https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/103601402

 

Captain F.W. Musson. MiC as F.W. Musson, A.F.C. First landed France 12.2.15. AIR76 as Francis William Musson, born 31^st May 1894, 5^th Bn Loyal North Lancs. A Mechanical Engineering graduate from Cambridge he was put to work on air gunnery at the experimental station at Orfordness.
Captain R. K. Makant, M.C. MiC as Robert Keith Makant.First landed France 12.2.15. Noted as Deceased. No match on CWGC, although a possible brother, Captain Angus Virtue Markant died serving with the 5^th Battalion in France 14.3.15.  According to a cricketing website he died 18^th June 1922 at Bazyan Pass, Kurdistan. https://cricketarchive.com/Lancashire/Players/117/117074/117074.html
https://boltonremembers.org/regiment/h-m-iraq-levies/
His MC was in the New Years Honours for 1917 so that rules him out.
Lieutenant M.T. Wright. No obvious AIR76. MiC as M.T. Wright, 2/5^th Loyal North Lancs, RFC and RAF. Victory Medal and British War Medal only. Seniority as a Lieutenant is from the 1^st June 1916. Seconded for duty with the R.F.C. 2^nd February 1917 – LG 23/02/1917 page 1891 as M.T. Wright.
Lieutenant G.H. Higginson. MiC as George Harold F. Higginson, Serving in the Ranks with the Loyal North Lancs. Landed in France 12.2.15, Commissioned 1915. Reached rank of Captain in the RAF. AIR76 as George Harold Franenfelder Higginson, born 21^st February 1894. Worked on the Technical side, mainly at the Wing Level. In late 1918 was a Station Gunnery Officer.
Lieutenant A.G.C. Dann. No obvious MiC. AIR76 as Alfred George Cleeve Dann, born 4^th November 1883. 1/5^th Loyal North Lancs and Canadians. Had been an Observer and had done 10 hours solo flying at the time of the 1918 RAF Census, as well as served as an Instructor in Aerial Navigation & Map Reading. By July 1918 fit only for Home Service only.
Lieutenant N.N. Coope. MiC as Nathaniel Nicholson Coope. Victory Medal and British War Medal only. AIR76 as Nathaniel Nicholson Coope born 25^th June 1895. 5^th Bn Loyal North Lancs. Moved to 93 Squadron 27.3.18. Posted missing 24.9.18. Subsequently reported wounded and prisoner of war. Repatriated 3.12.18.
Lieutenant E. Harling. MiC as Edgar Harling. Victory Medal and British War Medal only. AIR76 as Edgar Harling, born 14^th May 1894. At the time of the RAF Census serving with the 192 (N) Training Squadron. Was an Observer an Lewis Gun Instructor. References in the health notes for 1918 for him as now judged fit enough to resume pilot duties.

Column 1329d. 5^th Battalion.  https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/103601414

 

Lieutenant C.L. Veitch. MiC as C.L. Veitch. Served in the ranks with the East Kent Regiment. Commissioned December 1915. MiC shows British War Medal and Victory Medal, but there is a note on the back about him being entitled to the 1914/15 Star. He did reach the rank of Captain in the RAF. AIR76 has a Charles Lionel Veitch, born 15^th August 1896 but he is shown as attached from South African forces. He qiualified as a Pilot and June 1918 was awarded the DSC.

Cheers,
Peter

 

Peter specialist RFC artillery observers commonly operated from balloons so Lt K Norwood seems a distinct possibility.

[PRC]

3 minutes ago, FROGSMILE said:

Peter specialist RFC artillery observers commonly operated from balloons so Lt K Norwood seems a distinct possibility.

I was just a bit confused - most of the work of the men going up in the fixed kite balloons as well as a significant number of aircrew would have been artillery observers so I wasn't sure why this was something that would be specifically referenced for Norwood and not others.

The close work with the artillery was a recurring theme in "Memoirs of an old balloonatic", with on most cases a visit to the batterys being spotted for taking place before ascent.

Cheers,
Peter

[FROGSMILE]

9 minutes ago, PRC said:

I was just a bit confused - most of the work of the men going up in the fixed kite balloons as well as a significant number of aircrew would have been artillery observers so I wasn't sure why this was something that would be specifically referenced for Norwood and not others.

The close work with the artillery was a recurring theme in "Memoirs of an old balloonatic", with on most cases a visit to the batterys being spotted for taking place before ascent.

Cheers,
Peter

Yes that’s a good point Peter, I suspect he might perhaps have been an instructor, which would probably justify a specific mention.

[Tawhiri]

The K was for Kenneth, according to the Gazette's record of his initial commissioning in December 1915.

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29419/supplement/13003

He seems very elusive, his casualty form ends in 1916 with him being posted to England, and the only subsequent mentions I can find of him in the usual places are twice in the April 1918 Air Force list. 

[PRC]

Part 3

No-one from the 6^th,7^th or 8^th Battalions of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.

Column 1331aa. 9^th Battalion.  https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/103601426

2 ^nd Lieutenant F. Nuttall Employed  R.F.C. (M.W.). No obvious MiC. AIR76 as Frank Nuttall, born 16^th November 1887, but from the General List. That man was serving with 30^th Squadron from March 1917 and was wounded 26^th April 1918. He was discharged to duties from the Officers Hospital, Baghdad 14^th May 1918. Looks like he had received the M.C, by then.  He remained in the RAF and was killed 18.9.20 – note appears to read “Battle Casualty”. On CWGC serving with 30 Squadron and buried Tehran. He received Military Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Force Cross. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/905524/frank-nuttall/

An RE8 registration D4698, of 30 Squadron, crashed on landing at Kazvin, Iran (Persia) on the 18^th September 1920. Names and fates of crew not listed on this source. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/247295

They are shown as Flight Lieutenant Frank Nuttall and Leading Aircraftman Leonard Alfred Dellow on this website http://www.rcawsey.co.uk/Accf1930.htm

 NOT SURE IF F. NUTTALL AND FRANK NUTTALL ARE ONE AND THE SAME, BUT THE MIC RECORD HAS NO ALTERNATIVE CANDIDATE FOR FRANK. The seniority date for F. Nuttall in the Monthly Army List is the 22^nd November 1916 which will effectively be the date he was commissioned. The relevant entry appears in the London Gazette in the Supplement dated 23 December 1916, page 12570. There he is shown as Frank Nuttall. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29879/supplement/12570/data.pdf

No-one from the 10^th and 11^th Battalion listed.

Column 1332, 1332a 12^th Battalion https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/103601438

Captain W.T. Taylor, M.I. Mech. E., M.I.E.E. No obvious AIR76. There are two William Thomas’s but neither show links to the Loyal North Lancs. MiC as W.T. Taylor. Victory and British War Medal only. There is a personal file in the WO374 series for a Captain William Thomas Taylor, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment which seems a likely match. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C737641
Lieutenant G. Bryers. MiC for George Bryers makes no reference to serving with the RFC \ RAF, and his service medals were issued by the Regiment, not the Air Ministry. He qualified for the Victory Medal and the British War Medal. No obvious AIR76.

No-one from the 13^th Battalion.

And that almost completes the run through of the March 1918 Monthly Army List.

First time round when going through the Regular Army Battalion I noticed a man who was serving as an Adjutant with a School of Instruction. I discounted him as not being attached to the RFC, but now I wondering given the mixture that the Roehampton establishments was, whether that was actually a impediment?

Column 1327a https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/103601354

Lieutenant C.C. Treatt. His MiC however shows him as Chaplin Court Treatt, originally Private 1768 28^th London Regiment, then Second Lieutenant Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and finally Captain, Royal Flying Corps. His Medals were issued by the Air Ministry. Looks like he first landed in France on the 10^th October 1914 and so was entitled to the 1914 Star. From the AIR76 it appears sometimes the surname was hyphenated Court-Treatt. Date of birth was 13^th September 1888. In 1918 he was in the Middle East.

Cheers,
Peter

[ROBPUGH]

Thanks again Peter.

Transcription of the Officers Casualty Form of William Foster MacNeece, held at the R.A.F. Museum - https://www.casualtyforms.org/

[ROBPUGH]

Think we can rule Nuttall out as per these Casualty Forms: -

https://www.casualtyforms.org/form/30556

https://www.casualtyforms.org/form/30558

https://www.casualtyforms.org/form/30555

[PRC]

1 hour ago, ROBPUGH said:

Think we can rule Nuttall out as per these Casualty Forms: -

Rob,

The only reason I've not crossed him off as a possibility is that we have a Frank Nuttall on the Officer establishment of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment attached to the Royal Flying Corps, and then we have a Frank Nuttall who was on the General List and posted to the Royal Flying Corps. The latter is definately not on your picture, but nothing to clearly state the two Franks are one and the same individual.

Cheers,
Peter

[ROBPUGH]

This might be the 2/Lt. Nuttall, F (Employed R.F.C. (M.W.) 22 Nov 1916).

Rochdale Observer 23 December 1916.

Morecambe Guardian 21 October 1939.

[ROBPUGH]

Frank Nuttall, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, in the Midland Bank (now HSBC UK) War Cards archive: -

https://history.hsbc.com/entity/4027348-frank-nuttall

[ROBPUGH]

Unfortunately is does not look like Nuttall is the one. It was all looking very promising.

Worked for the Midland Bank pre War (This line of employment ties in with being an Adjutant).

Officer in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.

Transferred to the Essex Regiment (Interesting considering this was the original possible identification of the officers regiment). 

Employed by the R.F.C.

A non flyer.

But... He was never a Captain. Highest rank I can find is Lieutenant.

Supp London Gazette 4 April 1919

March 1919 Army List:

Edited 14 August , 2023 by ROBPUGH