Rnas Royal Kite Balloon Corps

[arantxa]

Cyril James Bryant Marfell

is a kite balloon an observation Balloon 

[nils d]

Yes.

(Nice legs)

[Tawhiri]

Born 22 July 1897, died 10 March 1978. There's plenty to be found on him on Ancestry, including photos and stories. His RNAS service record can be downloaded for free from the National Archives using the link below. He also has a corresponding RAF airman's service record available from Findmypast.

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D6838586

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C12470305

Edited to add that according to his RNAS service record his engagement was for hostilities only and started on 28 September 1917, three days after the date on the postcard.

Edited 28 August , 2023 by Tawhiri

[arantxa]

Thank you I will follow your links 

Much appreciated 

[arantxa]

ive read the links it says he went to No 3 Royal Navy balloon base...ive typed that into google ...is that a balloon or an airship

[arantxa]

Kite balloons were used in Great Britain and at the Western Front but even less known is that they were also applied in the Mediterranean. In November 1917, the decision was taken to locate the first Mediterranean Kite Balloon Station at Malta, and the second at Alexandria. The third Station was erected at Brindisi for use with the destroyers on the Otranto barrage patrol. Subsequent stations were erected at Bizerta, Corfu, Gibraltar and Port Said. In each Kite Balloon Station there were approximately 25 officers and 150 ratings to be stationed. Each Station was provided with 6 balloons. Beginning of July a start was finally made in using balloons to escort convoys. As from early 1918 the Kite Balloon Stations formed part of the R.A.F. There were Balloon Sections with the land forces in the Mediterranean cq. Middle East such as in Egypt, Palestina, Salonika and Mesopotamia, as well as Kite Balloon Sections with naval forces with as its headquarters the Seaplane Base in Malta. An overview of the Sea Section Kite Balloon Bases in the Mediterranean with their staffing is presented in Table 1. Table 1. Officers on stations of the Mediterranean Sea Section Kite Balloon Bases as per 30th September 1918. Balloon Base Flying Officers Gas Officers Stores Officers Paymasters Surgeons N o 1. Malta 22 1 1 1 N o 2. Alexandria 23 1 1 N o 3. Brindisi 22 1 1 1 N o 4. Corfu 23 1 1 1 1 N o 5. Gibraltar 20 1 1 1 1 N o 6. Bizerta 14 1 1 1 1 N o 22. Port Said 8 1 Total 132 6 5 7 3 The Kite Balloon Bases at Brindisi (Fig. 1) and Corfu were to render offensive patrol operations on the Otranto Barrage, while the remaining ones were to supply balloon escorts to convoys. Figure 1a. Incoming cover to No. 3 Kite Balloon Base (Brindisi) posted 22nd July 1918 Tunbridge Wells, marked received 30 July and answered 4 August. Figure 1b. Unclear backstamp 25 o

after more reading he went to Brindisi it was to cover ships