GW aircraft crashes Essex

[Red Gate]

Just to clarify the list of Essex landing grounds that has been posted above, the Widford and Writtle sites were separate locations.  The former was operated by the RNAS and was I believe normally referred to by them as “Chelmsford”. The Writtle site was a mile or so away and was used by the RFC. 

[PRC]

On 14/12/2023 at 20:00, stephen p nunn said:

15/4/17 G.W. XV. Chingford.

Is presumably -
15.4.17  Grahame-White XV 3610, RNAS, Chingford, Overturned after engine failure on take-off, Chingford

               Probationary Flight Officer Joseph Louis Lavigne (29) killed (Canadian)
                Flt Lt Frederick Warren Merriam unhurt
Source: http://www.rcawsey.co.uk/Acc1917.htm

Probationary Flight Officer Joseph Louis Lavigne died on the 15^th April 1917, aged 30, and is buried at Leytonstone (St. Patrick’s) Roman Catholic Cemetery.  The Cemetery Register records him as Accidentally Killed. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/356072/joseph-louis-lavigne/

The civil death registration in the Epping District records him as aged 22!

His entry in the Roll of Honour at the RAF Museum doesn’t add anything more and also sticks with the aged 30, probably gleaned from the CWGC website. https://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/lavigne-j.l.-joseph-louis

The date of birth on his RNAS statement of officers services is 10^th January 1895.
Interesting exchange in the “Space for particular notations…”.  Request refund of tuition fees from deceased officers legal representative. No objection to refund of 200 declared.
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9749912

CWGC adds that he was the son of David Lavigne and his wife Victoria Mailhot, of 161, St. Jacques, Grand Mere, Quebec. Father David is the next of kin on the RNAS record.

The 1900 US Census has a David and Victoria Lavigne, both from (French) Canada recorded living at Hopkinton, St Lawrence, New York State. Their children living with them are Louis, (born January 1895), Amelia, (February 1898) and Mary, (born April 1900). The familysearch transcriber has made a mess up, so here's a link directly to the page, the family starting from line 20. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-64KS-PR3?view=index&personArk=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AMSGM-1GH&action=view

By the time of the 1901 Census of Canada the family had moved to Grand Mere, Champlain, Quebec. Mother Victoria is recorded by her maiden name of Mailhot. Their son Louis is recorded as aged 6 and born January 10^th, “Emilie” is aged 4 and born February 4^th, and Marie Lee is aged 1 and born April 17^th. (Lines 43 to 47 of the Schedule). https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSS1-G97Q-4?view=index&personArk=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AKHPN-3KS&action=view

Looks like he was 22 when he died – despite what the CWGC and some other sites might tell you!

Joseph Louis Lavigne courtesy https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/356072

Interestingly one of the early RNAS pioneering fliers was a Frederick Warren Merriam. More on him, including a picture of him stated to be a Flight Sub-Lieutenant at Manston in the summer of 1917 at Manston, here:- https://www.earlyaviators.com/emerriam.htm

Part of one of his statement of RNAS Officers services refers to him being in the crash that killed Lavigne on the 15^th April 1917. It looks like it was November 1917 before he was judged sufficiently recoverd to be allowed to fly again. He had been transferred to Manston in July 1917. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9747584

Cheers,
Peter

Edited 16 December , 2023 by PRC
Formatting

[PRC]

9.5.17    Avro 504E 9283, RNAS, Chingford, Crashed, Chingford

               Flt Sub-Lt Douglas Eric Penney (22) killed
Source: http://www.rcawsey.co.uk/Acc1917.htm

Flight Sub-Lieutenant Douglas Eric Penney RNAS died on the 19^th May 1917, aged 22, and is buried at West Norwood Cemetery and Crematorium. The Cemetery Register adds that he was “Killed whilst flying at Chingford”. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/385349/douglas-eric-penney/

The death of a 22 year old Douglas Eric Penney was registered in the Epping District in Q2 1917.

His entry in the Roll of Honour at the RAF Museum doesn’t add anything more https://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/penney-d.e.-douglas-eric

On 14/12/2023 at 20:00, stephen p nunn said:

11/5/17 M-F Longhorn. Edmonton.

Is presumably :-
11.5.17   Maurice Farman Longhorn N5034, RNAS, Chingford, Dived into sewage farm, Edmonton

               Flt Lt Lewis Morgan (24) killed
               Probationary Flight Officer Randolph Henry Seed (25) killed
Source: http://www.rcawsey.co.uk/Acc1917.htm

Flight Lieutenant Lewis Morgan, RNAS, died on the 11^th May 1917, aged 24 and is buried at Sampford Arundel (Holy Cross) Churchyard. The Cemetery Register adds “Killed whilst flying”.
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/394527/lewis-morgan/

Probationary  Flight Officer R.H. Seed, RNAS, died on the 11^th May 1917 and is buried at Chingford Mount Cemetery.
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/356943/r-h-seed/

The deaths of a Lewis Morgan, aged 24 and a Randolph Henry Seed, aged 25, were recorded in the Edmonton District in Q2 1917.

Their entries in the Roll of Honour at the RAF Museim storyvault doesn’t add anything for either.
Morgan: https://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/morgan-l.-lewis
Seed: https://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/seed-r.h.-randolph-henry

Flight Lieutenant Lewis Morgan courtesy Lives of the First World War. https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7685888

The Lives of the First World War webpage for Randolph Henry Seed adds “Killed whilst flying in Maurice Farman S.7 Longhorn No.N5034, explosion at 5-6000 feet” -  but no source is quoted.
https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7680830

The Aviation Safety Network has them crashing into Deephams Farm Sewage Treatment Works, Edmonton – does that fall within Essex at that time? https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/221519

Cheers,
Peter

Edited 16 December , 2023 by PRC
Formatting

[stephen p nunn]

5 hours ago, Red Gate said:

Just to clarify the list of Essex landing grounds that has been posted above, the Widford and Writtle sites were separate locations.  The former was operated by the RNAS and was I believe normally referred to by them as “Chelmsford”. The Writtle site was a mile or so away and was used by the RFC. 

Quite right Red Gate. Sorry, my error.

Widford landing ground was 1 1/4 miles South-West of Chelmsford railway station and was allocated on 27/12/17 for RNAS landplanes. The RNAS moved out in September 1915.

Writtle was just North of the village and used by the RFC's number1 Reserve Aerolane Squadron from October 1914. It closed to RFC use in November 1916.

Regards.

Stephen (Maldon).

[stephen p nunn]

Evening all. Given the latest posts, here is a revised Essex Landing Grounds list:

Version 2 (16/12/2023)

Great War Landing Grounds in (old) Essex

Beaumont

Blackheath Common

Bournes Green

Braintree

Broomfield Court

Burnham-on-Crouch

Chingford

Clacton

East Hanningfield

Easthorpe

Fairlop

Fyfield

Goldhanger

Hainault Farm

Hondon-on-the-Hill

Little Clacton

Mountnessing

North Benfleet

North Ockendon

North Weald Bassett

Orsett

Rochford

Runwell

Shenfield

Sible Hedingham

Stow Maries

Thaxted

Widford

Wormingford

Writtle

And the latest Essex crash list (version 4)...

Version 4 (16/12/2023)

Essex GW Aircraft Crashes

1914

 ?/12/1914 Maurice Farman flown by Lt Robert George Hamiliton Murray flying from Writtle crashed from about 40 ft.  He was apparently uninjured but  his passenger Lt William Alexander Milne was taken to Chelmsford Hospital.  Milne was one of the four officers mentioned in “Observers and Navigators” by Wing Cdr CG Jefford  as being based at Writtle for Observer training.

1915

20/3/15 (11.15) Vickers Gunbus (1629) hit in wing by AA fire from Thameshaven and force landed.

15/5/15 Boxkite. Chingford.

1/6/15 (01.00) Bleriot Parasol (1546) Flt. Sub-Lieu. A.W. Robertson (RNAS Rochford) engine failure whilst on a defensive patrol and force landed on mud flats Leigh on Sea.

6/7/15 Boxkite. Chingford.

8/7/15 Avro 504B. Chingford.

13/7/15 Avro 504B. Chinford.

28/7/15 Boxkite. Chingford.

29/7/15 Avro 504. Chingford.

31/7/15 Caudron. Chingford.

11/8/15 Avro 503. Chingford.

17/8/15 (23.55) Cauldron (1596) Flt. Sub-Lieu C.D. Morrison badly burned when 3 out of 4 Hales bombs detonated during a heavy landing at Chelmsford after an anti-Zeppelin patrol. (RNAS Widford?).

18/8/15 (01.15) Cauldron (1593) Flt. Sub-Lieu H.H. Square injured when crash landed Chelmsford following an anti-Zeppelin patrol. (RNAS Widford?).

19/8/15 Avro 504. Chingford.

6/9/15 P-B PB9. Chingford.

6/9/15 P-B 23E. Chingford.

7/9/15 Boxkite. Chingford.

13/10/15 (23.15) BE2C 2^nd Lieu J.C. Slessor following combat sortie was blinded by searchlight whilst landing and landed in field near Suttons Farm. Pilot safe.

14/10/15 G W Farman. Chingford.

30/10/15 Caudron G3 1592 flown by Flt Sub-Lieut Arthur Montague Blake flying from RNAS Chelmsford (Widford) forced landed at Fairlop 

28/12/15 BE2c. Chingford.

1916

31/1/16 BE2C (I 189) Flt. Sub-Lieu V. Nicholl force landed Thameshaven following defensive sortie. Pilot safe.

31/1/16 BE2c. Suttons Farm.

31/1/16 BE2c. Hainault.

31/1/16 BE2c. Hainault.

 20/2/16  Avro 504C (8587) RNAS, Chingford.  Crashed and caught fire, Chingford. Flt Sub-Lt Francis Hamilton G. Toms (26) killed. Buried at Fulham (St. Thomas of Canterbury) Roman Catholic Churchyard.

24/3/16 Avro 504B. Hainault.

30/4/16 Curtiss JN-4 (3431) RNAS, Chingford.  Crashed attempting loop, Edmonton. Flt Sub-Lt Thomas Robson Liddle (20) killed. Buried at Grimsby (St. Andrew’s) Anglican Cemetery, Canada. The Cemetery Register adds “Killed whilst flying at Chingford, Epping".

2/6/16 G.W. XV. Chingford.

2/6/16 Avro 504B. Chingford.

25/8/16 BE2c. Hainault.

3/9/16 BE12. North Weald.

3/9/16 (02.55) Farman F56 (9167) Flt. Cdr. A.A. Arnold (RNAS Grain) force landed in a field adjacent to the landing ground at  Broomfield Court. Aircraft turned over and badly damaged. Pilot sprained ankle and suffered cuts.

24/9/1916 - Zeppelin L33 Little Wigborough.

24/9/16 Zeppelin (L32) Kaiserliche Marine. Shot down by 2Lt Frederick Sowrey, Snail's Hall Farm, Gt Burstead, Essex. All 22 crew killed.

Oberleutnant zur See Werner Gustav Iwan Peterson (29)

Adolf Bley (29), Obersignalmaat

Albin Ernst Bocksch (30), Obermaschinistenmaat

Karl Bortscheller (27), Funkentelegrafieobermaat

Wilhelm Otto Brockhaus (27), Oberheizer

Karl Friedrich Brodrück (25), Leutnant zur See

Paul Dorfmüller (26), Maschinistenmaat

Richard Hermann Fankhänel (34), Obermaschinistenmaat

Georg Hagedorn (28), Obermaschinistenmaat

Friedrich Heider (28), Oberbootsmannsmaat

Robert Klisch (23), Funkentelegrafieobergast

Hermann Mägdefrau (36), Obermaschinist

Bernhard Mohr (21), Obersegelmachersgast

August Müller (28), Matrose

Friedrich Pache (26), Bootsmannsmaat

Karl Paust (26), Obermaschinistenmaat

Ewald Picard (29), Obersignalmaat

Walter Prüss (21), Maschinistenmaat

Paul Schiering (31), Obermatrose

Bernhard Schreibmüller (23), Steuermann

Karl Völker (27), Obermaschinistenmaat

Alfred Zöpel (27), Oberbootsmannsmaat

2/10/16 BE2c. North Weald.

1917

8/1/17 Nieuport 12. Hornchurch.

15/4/17 G.W. XV. Chingford.

21/4/17 Avro 504B. Chingford.

9/5/17 Avro 504E (9283) RNAS, Chingford, Crashed, Chingford. Flt Sub-Lt Douglas Eric Penney (22) killed. He is buried at West Norwood Cemetery and Crematorium.

11/5/17 Maurice Farman Longhorn (N5034) RNAS, Chingford, Dived into sewage farm, Edmonton. Flt Lt Lewis Morgan (24) killed. Buried at Sampford Arundel (Holy Cross) Churchyard. Probationary  Flight Officer R.H. Seed, RNAS, died on the 11^th May 1917 and is buried at Chingford Mount Cemetery.

15/4/17  Grahame-White XV (3610) RNAS, Chingford, Overturned after engine failure on take-off, Chingford. Probationary Flight Officer Joseph Louis Lavigne (29) killed (Canadian), Flt Lt Frederick Warren Merriam unhurt. Probationary Flight Officer Joseph Louis Lavigne is buried at Leytonstone (St. Patrick’s) Roman Catholic Cemetery. He was the son of David Lavigne and his wife Victoria Mailhot, of 161, St. Jacques, Grand Mere, Quebec. Father David is the next of kin on the RNAS record. The 1900 US Census has a David and Victoria Lavigne, both from (French) Canada recorded living at Hopkinton, St Lawrence, New York State. Their children living with them are Louis, (born January 1895), Amelia, (February 1898) and Mary, (born April 1900). By the time of the 1901 Census of Canada the family had moved to Grand Mere, Champlain, Quebec. Mother Victoria is recorded by her maiden name of Mailhot. Their son Louis is recorded as aged 6 and born January 10^th, “Emilie” is aged 4 and born February 4^th, and Marie Lee is aged 1 and born April 17^th. So it looks like he was 22 when he died. One of the early RNAS pioneering fliers was a Frederick Warren Merriam. He was a Flight Sub-Lieutenant at Manston in the summer of 1917 at Manston. It was November 1917 before he was judged sufficiently recovered to be allowed to fly again. He had been transferred to Manston in July 1917. 

24/5/17 (04.25) BE2C (6817) 2^nd Lieu J.G. Goodyear blown off course during a defensive patrol and landed Burnham on Crouch.

5/6/17 (18.31) Gotha GIV (660/16) crashed in sea nearly two miles off Barton’s Point while being shelled by Sheerness and Shoeburyness guns.

5/6/17 Sopwith 1½ Strutter crashed Stow Maries. Young Australian pilot, 2^nd/Lt. Roy Walter Mouritzen (37 Squadron), was flying a Sopwith 1½ Strutter. Returning to Stow at dusk, he attempted a downwind landing when, according to one eyewitness, he struck a steamroller (some say it was a caravan). He was only 20 years old and had gained his wings nine days earlier.

12/6/17 Curtis JN4 tractor biplane. Probationary Flying Officer William George Parry (aged 26) of RNAS (HMS President) Chingford. Dived from 300 feet and struck the ground. Pilot killed.

13/6/17 Probationary Flying Officer Kenneth Stuart (aged 18) of RNAS Chingford. Killed whilst training at Chingford. Late to flatten out and struck the ground.

17/6/1917 - Zeppelin L48 Theberton.

7/7/17 Gotha shot down by FK8 of 50 Squadron (Grace and Murray) and crashed in sea off River Crouch.

7/7/17 Sopwith 1½ Strutter (A8271) 2^nd Lieutenant John E.R. Young and AM CC Taylor of 37 Squadron killed when aircraft crashed on Maplin Sands. Believed shot down by AA fire whilst engaging Gothas. During a raid by enemy Gotha aircraft. 37 Squadron joined the fray and 19 year old, 2^nd/Lt. John Edward Rostron Young (pilot) and Airman (2^nd Class) Cyril Charles Taylor (observer) were killed near the Nore Light, most likely by what we would now term “friendly fire”. (Official reports say shot down by enemy aircraft – outnumbered by 22 of them).

7/7/17 Sopwith Camel (B3761) Flt. Sub-Ltn A. Lofft (RNAS Manston) crash landed near Maningtree after combat with raiding Gothas. Aircraft a write off. Pilot safe.

26/7/1917 Sopwith Pup (A6244) Captain Eric William Seton Cotterill of 37 Squadron. Aircraft suffered engine failure shortly after take-off and went into a spinning nose dive from 300 ft.  His injuries were so severe that he was taken to the Chelmsford and Essex Hospital and was only transferred to the Colchester Military Hospital when his condition was stable.  He received a bill for 8 guineas for the cost of his treatment at Chelmsford but this was paid by the RFC. He was only discharged from hospital in November, just in time for his wedding in Paris.

 

27/7/17 M-F Longhorn. Chingford.

 

6/8/17 B.E.2c 988, RNAS, Chingford. Sideslipped and crashed after engine failure, Chingford. Flt Lt Charles Vernon Arnold (23) killed. Probationary Flight Officer Leonard Eales Forman (18) killed.

 

17/8/17 “2 British Aircraft” mid air collision over Thames. Lt. Tanmer crashed in the shallows and was rescued. Lt. A.G. Dow (Canadian Flying Corps) crashed in Kent near Joyce Green (killed). Allan Gladstone Dow lies in Watling Street Cemetery, Dartford. Gravestone reads Lt Allan George DOW (note George on headstone, but Gladstone in official records). Royal Flying Corps. Died 17 August 1917. Aged 22 years. "Drowned after a collision in the air, while flying at Joyce Green Aerodrome, Dartford, Kent, England (next to River Thames). Erected by Brother Officers in No 63 Training Squadron, Royal Flying Corps.

19/8/17 Sopwith Camel (B3788) Lieutenant George Robert Craig MC of East Lancashire Regiment, attached 44 Squadron (Hainault). Engaged in fighting practice and went into a spin. Crashed ½ mile north of aerodrome. Pilot killed.

 

4/9/17 Avro 504B (N6668) RNAS, Chingford. Fell in Chingford Reservoir. Probationary Flight Officer Allen Sandby Coombe (18) killed. Probationary Flight Officer Cecil Saunders injured.

 

27/9/17 (08.20) ? collided with another aircraft over Rochford whilst making spiral descent. Lieutenant Arthur Sydney Talbot (27) instructing student 2^nd-Lieutenant Geoffrey Cooper Malcolm (25) both killed. Both buried Rochford.

 

28/9/17 M-F Longhorn. Chingford.

29/9/17 (22.00) Sopwith 1½ Strutter (B2555) Lieut. N.C. Crombie (Observer) and Capt. F.W. Honnett (pilot) (78 Squadron) force landed Orsett in thick fog.

30/9/17 Sopwith 1½ Strutter (B2593) Lieut. J.S. Castle and 1^st A.M. Dawes (78 Squadron) force landed whilst on an operational patrol at North Benfleet.

6/10/17 BE2e (A1876) crashed Stow Maries. 2^nd/Lt. William Quintus Newsom Richardson, lies buried in Maldon’s London Road Cemetery. He died when his aircraft side-slipped during a practice flight out of Goldhanger (37 Squadron) He was 19. (n.b. a lot more to follow on this lad in due course).

19/10/17 “Sopwith” Lt. Aubrey de Tresalor stalled on T/O Hornchurch. Pilot killed.

20/10/17 ? Waltham Abbey.

1/11/17 (03.00) Sopwith 1½ Strutter (A5238) Capt. F. Billings of 78 Squadron force landed Orsett whilst on a defensive patrol.

11/11/17 Lieutenant Walter Wood MC of 44 (HD) Squadron took off in one of two Sopwith Camels tasked to practice dog-fighting; Wood was still suffering from influenza contracted in France. His Camel dived into the ground for no apparent reason, killing him; it is surmised he fainted at the controls.

22/11/1917 SE5a (B657) Capt. Charles William Bruce:The Deputy- Coroner (Mr. H.J. Jefferies) held an inquest on Saturday touching on the death of Capt. Charles W. Bruce, aged 22, of the Gordon Highlanders, attached to the R.F.C., who was killed at an Essex aerodrome on Thursday. Deceased was a native of Alburgh, near Harleston. The evidence showed that the deceased was an experienced and qualified pilot. On Thursday he was flying at a height of 100 feet when, in turning, his machine nose-dived and fell to the ground. At a court of inquiry it was found that the deceased attempted to turn while flying at an insufficient speed. Upon hitting the ground the machine burst into flames, and the deceased was terribly burnt. Lieut. Love, R.A.M.C., stated that in his opinion deceased was rendered unconscious by a blow in the face and the concussion when the machine hit the ground. When unconscious he was suffocated by the intense heat. He did not think the deceased suffered. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, and expressed sympathy with the parents – and the loss which the country had sustained in the death of the officer. (Norwich Mercury dated Saturday December 1st, 1917). CWGC shows Captain Charles William Bruce, Royal Flying Corps and Gordon Highlanders, as having died on the 22nd November 1917. He is buried at Southend on Sea (Sutton Road) Cemetery. The death of the 22 year old Charles William Bruce was registered in the Rochford District. The RAF Museum Story Vault has him serving with 61 Squadron and flying a S.E.5a serial B657. I think from the Casualty Card that 61 Squadron were stationed at Rochford. 

27/11/17 ? Waltham Abbey.

6/12/17 (04.45) Gotha GIV (906/16) port propeller shattered by AA fire over Canvey crashed on golf course after hitting a tree attempting to land at Rochford.

17/12/17 Curtiss H-4 (3587) RNAS, Felixstowe. Sideslipped and nosedived into sea after take-off, off Harwich. Ensign Phillips Ward Page (32) drowned (US Navy).

18/12/17 Sopwith Camel F1 (B2378). 2^nd Lieutenant Vane Carrington Manuel (aged 29) of 56 Squadron. Went into a spin whilst landing. Crashed Hainault Farm. Pilot killed.

22/12/17 BE2e (B4545) Captain Barrington Chadwick Quinan of 37 Squadron injured when he crashed at Woodham Walter. Quinan came over from Canada as part of the CEF and was sent to France in February 1915.  He was wounded in May and evacuated to England but, in addition to his wounds, he was suffering from shell shock.  His recovery was slow and he returned to Canada in October to recuperate.  He was still not fully fit when he returned to England and he continued in England based roles for the next 18 months or so and was promoted to Captain.  But he was keen to return to the Front so applied to join the RFC. He started his flight training in September 1917 and afterwards was with 37 Squadron for further training.  His flying career was still in its early stages as he had flown three solo flights totalling 1hr 45 mins by the time of his crash.  He was quite seriously injured in the crash and he was taken to Colchester Military Hospital with “brain lacerations”.  The Court of Enquiry determined that the crash had arisen due to engine failure on take-off but his medical notes state that he suddenly became nervous and lost control of his aircraft.  Although his physical health improved his mental health appeared to have deteriorated significantly and he was then admitted to Blake Hall Hospital, Ongar, Essex and then to Quarrybank Hospital, Liverpool. While at Quarrybank he contracted influenza which developed into pneumonia and he died on 20 July 1918. He was aged 25 years

1918

21/1/1918 Probationary Flight Officer William Eric Floyd, Royal Naval Air Service (aged 19). Buried at Birkenhead (Flaybrick Hill) Cemetery. Flying out of Chingford machine crashed at Fairlop, killing the pilot instantly and burst into flames on landing.

26/1/18 ? Waltham Abbey.

28/1/18 BE2c. Waltham Abbey.

28/1/18 (21.30) Sopwith Camel engine stopped by AA shell burst and crash landed near railway signal box at Hornchurch. Aircraft destroyed. Pilot, I.M. Davies safe.

28/1/18 Gotha GV (938/16) (22.10) shot down at Frund’s Farm, Wickford by Sopwith Camels flown by Capt. H.C. Hackwell and 2^nd Lieut. Banks of 44 Squadron. Gotha burnt out and crew of three killed (Leut. Friedrich von Thomsen (nav), Unter. Karl Ziegler (pilot – shot through neck) and Walter Heiden (gunner)). Hackwell and Banks awarded MM.

29/1/18 Bristol F2B. North Weald.

30/1/18 Bristol F2B. North Weald.

16/2/18 Sopwith Camel B5192, a Comic conversion, flown by Henry Arthur Edwardes of 44 Squadron flying from Hainault Farm broke up in the air killing the pilot.  He was a local man and was born in Great Totham near Maldon and was aged 19 at the time of his death.

18/2/18 (01.10) BE12 (6610) 2^nd Lieut. S. Armstrong of 37 Squadron killed when aircraft crashed and caught fire at Tolleshunt Major, possibly following engine failure whilst on a defensive patrol. 2^nd/Lt. Sydney Armstrong, who took off from Goldhanger airfield at 11 o’clock on the evening of February 17^th 1918 in his BE12 biplane. At 1 o’clock the following morning the body of the 18 year old pilot was discovered in the shell of his burnt-out machine, in a field at Tolleshunt Major.

26/2/18 BE2 crashed Goldhanger. Armstrong’s replacement was Irish born, Catholic lad, 2^nd/Lt. Frederick Augustus Crowley, who took off in a BE2 (from Goldhanger. 37 Squadron) on his third solo just before 9am on 26/2/1918. He clipped some trees, stalled and came down in a field at the back of ‘The Cricketers’ pub, where the aircraft burst into flames.

2/3/18 Sopwith Camel (C1625) 78 Sqn, Hornchurch. Stalled and spun on turn, Sutton's Farm, Hornchurch.  2Lt William Heys Pickup (33) killed. It was observed to spin into the ground from 100 feet. 

7/3/18 BE12 (C3208) Capt. Alex Kynoch (37 Squadron) killed following collision after take off from Stow Maries (23.29), crashed in a field at Wickford.

7/3/18 SE5A (B679) Capt. H.C. Stroud (aged 24) (61 Squadron) killed following collision (see above) after take-off from Rochford (23.30), crashed in a field at Wickford. Buried  Rochford.

A propeller memorial to 24 year old Captain Kynoch and the other pilot (Captain Stroud) was erected on the site by the local farmer.

23/3/18 Sopwith Camel (C6726) Captain Sidney Percival Gamon, 1/5 Cheshires and 78 Squadron RFC (Hornchurch). Went into spin and hit the ground. Pilot killed.

20/4/18 (3.30pm) Sopwith Camel F1 (C6717) Major  Cuthbert Roger Rowden, M.C. (aged 21), 78^th Squadron, Royal Air Force and 5^th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, was killed on the 20^th April 1918, aged 21. The machine spun into the ground at Hornchurch. “The court having duly considered the evidence are of the opinion that the accident was due to no fault of the machine or engine. They find that the machine when it was approximately 50 feet from the ground did a right hand vertical bank, and owing to an error of judgment on the part of the pilot, its nose dropped and it dived straight into the ground."  

23/4/18 BE12 (B4535) 2^nd Lieut. C.L. Milburn (Canadian) (37 Squadron) killed in crash Stow Maries. Aircraft caught fire. 2/Lt. Edward Gerald Mucklow deserted from the Royal Fusiliers and served with 37 Squadron, under the name Cyril Lawson Milburn. He was killed, when his BE12 suffered engine failure during a spin and he crashed on Moonshine Field, near the aerodrome at Stow Maries. He was comparatively “old” at 31.

24/4/18 (15.19) SE5a (C5339) 61 Sqn, Rochford. Wing collapsed while pulling out of dive, Rochford. Lt Charles Alexander Brown (20) killed. He was engaged in flight formation at the time. "Owing to the pilot diving at a very considerable speed and tending to pull the machine out too suddenly. Right wing was overstrained and doubled up." 

30/4/18 Sopwith Camel F1 (B6204) 207 TDS, Chingford. Spun and nose dived from 2,000ft, Edmonton.  2Lt Charles Frederick Stephen Jackson (23) killed. He is buried at Southend-on-Sea, (North Road), Cemetery. Nose dived from 2,000 feet into ground with engine full on.

8/5/18 Sopwith F1 Camel (D6649) 2^nd. Lieut. John Donald Baird (aged 20) (44 Training Squadron) accident spinning from 6000 feet, nose dive Hainault Farm. Pilot error.

11/5/18 RE8 (E58) Lt. Harry Lynn Hopkins (24) (189 Night Training Squadron) turning in air over field in Essex crashed and was killed. Buried Hornchurch.

17/5/18 (9.45am) R.E.8 (C2306) 8 AAP, Lympne. Engine failed, stalled and crashed, Weeley Heath, Essex. Lt Edward Terence Heard (28) killed. Due to engine failure, machine stalled and crashed. The Court of Enquiry simply concluded that "the cause of the accident is obscure". 8th Squadron was in France & Flanders at the time of Edwards' death, so more likely he was serving with 8 Aircraft Acceptance Park and most likely on a delivery flight.

19/5/18 Sopwith Camel (B4614) (23.45) Lt. W.E. Nicholson force landed (broken pressure valve) at Chingford.

19/5/18 (23.50) Gotha GV (925/16) ‘Pommern’pilot decended to 2000 feet through cloud and choked starboard engine and force landed St. Osyth. Pilot Lt. W. Rist and observer, Leutnant Wilheim Rist killed. Vize. Max Gummelt and Rudolf Huhnsdorf safe.

19/5/18 D.H.6 (A9598) 207 TDS, Chingford. Hit trees making forced landing in cemetery after engine failure, Chingford. 2Lt William Robert Burdett (21) killed. Crashed and caught fire after engine failure. In attempting to land in the cemetery he caught trees which brought the craft to the ground where the machine caught fire, killing the pilot before any assistance could be rendered. 

20/5/18 Gotha (00.20) shot down by Bristol Fighter (C4636) of 39 Squadron flown by Lieut. A.J. Arkell and 1^st AM A.T.C. Stagg. Crashed off Roman Road, East Ham. Crew of three killed. After firing around 700 rounds at the Gotha it caught fire and the crew jumped to their deaths. The aircraft spun and came down in a bean field between Roman Road and Beckton Road, East Ham. The site is now used for school playing fields.

20/5/18 Bristol F2B. North Weald.

21/5/18 (11.23am) Sopwith Camel (D6677) 78 Sqn, Hornchurch. Hit tree and crashed. 2Lt Cyril Gordon Joyce (20) died 22.5.18 (South African). Buried at Hornchurch (St Andrew) Churchyard. Spun to ground and engine choked trying to land and he then struck a tree, leaving him severely injured. The plane was seen to fall out of control. The engine choking was put down to pilot error. 

22/5/18 SE5a crashed Danbury. 2^nd/Lt. William Martin Burfoot (37 Squadron) suffered engine failure in his SE5a and stalled, turning near the ground, before crashing at Danbury.

19/6/18 Avro 504 (C732 or C733) 198 NTS, Rochford. Stalled and spun turning on approach, Rochford. Lt Harold Eborall Davis MC (28) killed. Flt Cadet Henry William Francis Rendall injured

15/7/1918 Avro 504K (D2085) Flight Cadet Thomas Eric Cotton of 198 (NT) Squadron  injured when he crashed. The court of inquiry determined that the cause of the accident was an error in judgement on the part of the pilot by turning with the engine shut off, causing the machine to stall and develop a spin which continued until  it crashed into the ground. The court stated that the pilot was not disobeying flying instructions but was disobeying the instructor’s order in that he shut off his engine and attempted to turn when near the ground. Cotton was in hospital for 4 months.He was subsequently posted to 37 Squadron where he had another crash on 3 February 1919 while flying Avro 504K E4108.  Unfortunately it seems that he continued to suffer from the effects of these crashes as he committed suicide in 1920 by gassing himself. 

29/7/18 Bristol F2B. ?

5/8/1918 - Zeppelin L70 in sea.

7/8/1918 Sopwith Camel (F1367) Flight Cadet Thomas Gardiner Keir of 37 Squadron injured when he crashed at Tolleshunt D'Arcy. Keir had taken off from Goldhanger and stalled on a left hand turn, got into a left hand spin and in correcting started to spin to the right and crashed. At the time of his crash he had completed 95 hours of solo flying.  His injuries were severe and life changing.  He had a penetration wound to the right eye which had left him almost totally blind in that eye and a compound fracture of the right foot which in 1919 had still leaving him with considerable difficulty in walking.

7/8/17 Sopwith Camel F1 (D6683). 2^nd Lieutenant Neville Metcalfe (aged 23) 189 Training Squadron Hornchurch. Low flying, went into spin and crashed on airfield. Pilot killed.

15/8/18 “2 seat British Aircraft” crashed after take off West Tilbury. Pilot Lt. King seriously injured and AM Miller slightly.

3/9/18 Sopwith Camel (D9569) crashed off low loop, South Ockendon. Pilot Lt. Brian Gerald Mahoney (aged 28. New Zealander) (189 NTS Squadron, Hornchurch) killed.

20/9/18 Sopwith Camel crashed Stow Maries. 20 year old, Lieutenant Edward Cecil Henry Robert Nicholls was flying a Sopwith Camel when he turned sharply after take-off from Stow (37 Squadron), spun, crashed and was killed.

27/9/18 Camel (F1395) Lt. John Wilton Sheridan killed (aged 29) (61 Squadron). Mid-air collision Rochford.

27/9/18 Camel (F1315) 2^ndLt. Reginald Frank Sanders (aged 19) (61 Squadron) killed. Mid-air collision Rochford.

23/10/18 Avro (E3598) William Thomas Cole. Harold Keates (21953) of 189 (Night) Training Squadron. Killed when 'flying in South Essex both in the same machine which nosedived and crashed to the ground' Court of inquiry said pilot deliberately put aircraft into a spin but failed to get out of spin. Reason unknown.

31/10/18 Sopwith Camel F1 (F6426) Second Lieutenant Harold Edward Crosby (aged 25), 61^st Squadron, Royal Air Force, died on the 31^st October 1918, aged 25.Crashed at Rochford at 4 p.m. The cause of the crash is unclear – the assumption seems to be the pilot fainted.

 

END

[PRC]

1 hour ago, stephen p nunn said:

5/6/17 (18.31) Gotha GIV (660/16) crashed in sea nearly two miles off Barton’s Point while being shelled by Sheerness and Shoeburyness guns.

Bit more about unit and fate of crew.
5.6.17    Gotha G.IV 660/16, Kasta 14, Kagohl 3, Shot down by anti-aircraft guns, Thames estuary, off Sheerness

              Leutnant der Reserve Hans Francke (23) died 6.6.17
               Vizefeldwebel Erich Kluck (20) drowned (pilot)
               Unteroffizier Georg Gustav Schumacher injured
Source: http://www.rcawsey.co.uk/Acc1917.htm

Leutnant Hans Franke “Bogohl 3”, German Air Force, died 6^th June 1917, is now buried at Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery. This casualty was previously buried at Sheerness (Isle of Sheppey) Cemetery.  https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/6010188/hans-franke/

The death of a Hans Francke, age unknown, was registered in the Sheppey District of Kent in Q2 1917.

Vizefeldwebel Erich Kluck, B.G.3, German Air Force, died 5^th June 1917, is now buried at Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery. This casualty was previously buried at Sheerness (Isle of Sheppey) Cemetery. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/6010192/erich-kluck/

The death of an Erich Kluck, age unknown, was registered in the Sheppey District of Kent in Q2 1917.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has two record cards for Vizefeldwebel Erich Kluck, one containing information from the British authorities that he died "off Sheerness" on the 5^th June 1917.  But looks like his unit according to the Germans is shown as Staffel 14, Kampfgeschwader III. He had been born Berlin on the 11^th August 1896. https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Details/119942/1/2/

Image courtesy the International Committee of the Red Cross https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/List/119942/898/8156/

The ICRC card for Georg Gustav Schumacher gives his unit as Kg 3 \ Sta 14. https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Details/5717693/1/2/

Report ICRC reference A8639 has him captured off Sheerness 5^th June 1917 with a Fracture of Leg. Apparently there had been a previous notification (List 143 Appendix IV). He was being held in camp “Chm 504” https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/List/5717693/898/8639/

ICRC report A9662 reported he had been transferred to camp L.D.H. 4902 on the 23^rd July 1917  - Compound Fracture of left femur. https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/List/5717693/898/9662/

ICRC report A10772 has him discharged 23^rd August 1917 to camp Hfth. 15720. https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/List/5717693/898/10772/

ICRC report A14747 is also noted on the card but does not relate to this man.

Cheers,
Peter

Edited 16 December , 2023 by PRC
Formatting

[stephen p nunn]

Thank you Peter. Still growing!!!

Regards.

Stephen (Maldon).

[Fovant]

Writtle was used by the RFC until 1916. After that Marconi conducted airborne radio tests from there.

[stephen p nunn]

2 hours ago, Fovant said:

Writtle was used by the RFC until 1916. After that Marconi conducted airborne radio tests from there.

It was a temporary RFC landing ground, ordered in October 1914 and manned from the December. It closed down to flying in November 1916, but Marconi moved in in 1919. I thought the rest of the (Marconi) post-GW story was outside of the scope of the GWF.

Regards.

Stephen (Maldon).

[PRC]

On 09/12/2023 at 16:40, PRC said:

From The Scotsman - Monday 18 June 1917

Image courtesy The British Newspaper Archive.

Tew and Savage’s deaths occurred in Gloucestershire.

Probationary Flight Officer Kenneth Stuart, Royal Naval Air Service, died on the 13^th June 1917 and is buried at Beckenham Crematorium and Cemetery. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/367803/kenneth-stuart/

His death was registered in the Edmonton civil registration district in Q2 1917. That district straddled Middlesex and Essex during the Great War period.  Civil Parishes covered by the District included Chingford and Waltham Holy Cross. https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/edmonton.html

The RAF Museum storyvault doesn’t have a casualty card for him, just noting that he was “Killed while training at RN Air Station Chingford 13 June 1917.”
https://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/stuart-k.-kenneth

Probationary Flight Officer William George Parry, Royal Naval Air Service, aged 26, died on the 12^th June 1917. He is buried at Smethwick (Uplands) Cemetery. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/395257/william-george-parry/

His death was also registered in the Edmonton District in Q2 1917.

Again no casualty card at the storyvault, with the Roll of Honour simply showing “Accidentally Killed 12 June 1917 aged 26.” https://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/parry-w.g.-william-george

However the Naval History Net website shows “Royal Naval Air Service, flying in Curtiss JN 4 tractor biplane, coming into land in UK, dived in from 300 feet, second crew member DOI next day.

 PARRY, William G, Ty/Py/Flight Officer, on books of President, killed

However the second crew member is identified as Kenneth Stuart and that he died of injuries. http://www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1917-06Jun.htm

That is clearly at odds with the details from the inquest, although Kenneth Stuart may well have been flying the same kind of plane.

His Register of Officer Services shows that he died at Edmonton Military Hospital  on the 13^th June 1917 having been admitted the previous evening after an accident in Machine G.W.8770

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9749765

William George Parry is recorded in his Register of Officer Services as killed in Curtis 8862 as a passenger.

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9749282

Both images courtesy The National Archive.

It seems to be clear that both accidents happened on the 12^th June 1917, and most likely both were at Chingford.

Cheers,
Peter

Bit more – name of other member of crew:
12.6.17 Curtiss JN-4 8862?, RNAS, Chingford, Dived in on landing, Chingford

              Probationary Flight Officer William George Parry (26) killed
               Flt Lt John Patrick Coleman injured
Source: http://www.rcawsey.co.uk/Acc1917.htm

The RNAS record of service for John Patrick Coleman shows him posted to Chingford on the 23^rd April 1917. “Particular notations”  Chingford 12.6.17:- Accident to Curtiss 8862. Pilot sustained shock + abrasions. Passenger Pro Flt Officer W.G. Parry killed. It would be September 1917 before Flight Lieutenant Coleman would be found fit for active service.
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9748298

Cheers,
Peter

Edited 16 December , 2023 by PRC
Formatting

[PRC]

25.7.17   Sopwith Pup A6206, 46 Sqn, Sutton's Farm, Failed to recover from spin, Sutton's Farm, Hornchurch, Essex

               2Lt Frederick Harold Maden Eberlin (20) killed   
Source: http://www.rcawsey.co.uk/Acc1917.htm

Second Lieutenant Frederick Harold Maden Eberlin, Royal Flying Corps and 3^rd Bn, KOYLI, died on the 25^th July 1917, aged 20.  He is buried at Nottingham Church Cemetery. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2750270/frederick-harold-maden-eberlin/

The death of a 20 year old Frederick Harold Maden Eberlin was registered in the Romford District in Q3 1917.

The Casualty Card records the cause of the accident  as “Failed to take machine out of spin before hitting ground”. Remarks “Error of Judgt on part of Pilot in not allowing machine to gather speed after getting out of the vertical spin by putting the control stick forward”. https://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/eberlin-f.h.m.-frederick-harold-maden

Frederick Harold Maden Eberlin sourced https://secure.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/RollOfHonour/People/Details/21632

Cheers,
Peter

Edited 16 December , 2023 by PRC
Formatting

[PRC]

6 hours ago, stephen p nunn said:

27/7/17 M-F Longhorn. Chingford.

Could that be this incident?

28.7.17 Maurice Farman Longhorn N5733, RNAS, Chingford, Wing collapsed in flight, Sewardstone, Essex

               Probationary Flight Officer Robert Miller Denholm (18) killed
Source: http://www.rcawsey.co.uk/Acc1917.htm

Probationary Flight Officer Robert Miller Denholm,  RNAS (Chingford) died on the 28^th July 1917 aged 18, and is buried at Greenock Cemetery. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/664416/robert-miller-denholm/

The death of an 18 year old Robert Miller Denholm was registered in the Edmonton District in Q3 1917.

There are some memorial stained glass windows in the church at Greenock. An online blog adds the information “The windows were commissioned by the family of Robert Miller Denholm who died on 28 July 1917 while flying over Essex.  He was just eighteen years of age and had only recently joined the Royal Naval Air Service to train as a pilot.  While on a flight, the wing of his aircraft collapsed in mid-air and he was thrown from his machine and fell 600 feet to the ground, fracturing his skull.” http://thegreenockian.blogspot.com/2018/11/through-adversity-to-stars.html

His RNAS Statement of Service shows posted to Chingford on the 14^th July 1917. Particular notations  adds “28.7.17:-Accident to M.F. 5733. M/C crashing to earth in a spinning nose-dive” https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9750994

Cheers,
Peter

[PRC]

7.7.18    Sopwith Pup C308, 189 NTS, Hornchurch. Came down in River Thames, near Barking

               Lt William Bruce Ferguson MC (22) drowned (Canadian)
Sourced: http://www.rcawsey.co.uk/Acc1918b.htm

Lieutenant William Bruce Ferguson, 9^th Battalion Canadian Railway Troops and RAF, died on the 7^th July 1918 aged 22. He is buried at Hornchurch (St. Andrew) Churchyard.
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/357004/william-bruce-ferguson/

The death of a “24” year old William Bruce Ferguson was registered in the Romfod District in Q3 1918.

His Casualty Card records him as 1^st Canadian Pioneers & RAF.  Accident timed 5.15 a.m. 7^th July 1918. Accident is put down to a forced landing on the Thames – cause unknown. https://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/7000270744-ferguson-w.b.-william-bruce

His RAF AIR76 record shows him as born 12^th August 1896 – so he would have been 21, not 22, and that’s if the date of birth is correct. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8259535

No additional information in his Canadian Army service record. https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?op=pdf&app=CEF&id=B3055-S037

Cheers,
Peter

Edited 17 December , 2023 by PRC
Formatting

[stephen p nunn]

Thank you Peter. Updates due here today. Best regards. Stephen (Maldon).

[stephen p nunn]

Version 5 (17/12/2023)

Essex GW Aircraft Crashes

1914

 ?/12/1914 Maurice Farman flown by Lt Robert George Hamiliton Murray flying from Writtle crashed from about 40 ft.  He was apparently uninjured but  his passenger Lt William Alexander Milne was taken to Chelmsford Hospital.  Milne was one of the four officers mentioned in “Observers and Navigators” by Wing Cdr CG Jefford  as being based at Writtle for Observer training.

1915

20/3/15 (11.15) Vickers Gunbus (1629) hit in wing by AA fire from Thameshaven and force landed.

15/5/15 Boxkite. Chingford.

1/6/15 (01.00) Bleriot Parasol (1546) Flt. Sub-Lieu. A.W. Robertson (RNAS Rochford) engine failure whilst on a defensive patrol and force landed on mud flats Leigh on Sea.

6/7/15 Boxkite. Chingford.

8/7/15 Avro 504B. Chingford.

13/7/15 Avro 504B. Chinford.

28/7/15 Boxkite. Chingford.

29/7/15 Avro 504. Chingford.

31/7/15 Caudron. Chingford.

11/8/15 Avro 503. Chingford.

17/8/15 (23.55) Cauldron (1596) Flt. Sub-Lieu C.D. Morrison badly burned when 3 out of 4 Hales bombs detonated during a heavy landing at Chelmsford after an anti-Zeppelin patrol. (RNAS Widford?).

18/8/15 (01.15) Cauldron (1593) Flt. Sub-Lieu H.H. Square injured when crash landed Chelmsford following an anti-Zeppelin patrol. (RNAS Widford?).

19/8/15 Avro 504. Chingford.

6/9/15 P-B PB9. Chingford.

6/9/15 P-B 23E. Chingford.

7/9/15 Boxkite. Chingford.

13/10/15 (23.15) BE2C 2^nd Lieu J.C. Slessor following combat sortie was blinded by searchlight whilst landing and landed in field near Suttons Farm. Pilot safe.

14/10/15 G W Farman. Chingford.

30/10/15 Caudron G3 1592 flown by Flt Sub-Lieut Arthur Montague Blake flying from RNAS Chelmsford (Widford) forced landed at Fairlop 

28/12/15 BE2c. Chingford.

1916

31/1/16 BE2C (I 189) Flt. Sub-Lieu V. Nicholl force landed Thameshaven following defensive sortie. Pilot safe.

31/1/16 BE2c. Suttons Farm.

31/1/16 BE2c. Hainault.

31/1/16 BE2c. Hainault.

 20/2/16  Avro 504C (8587) RNAS, Chingford.  Crashed and caught fire, Chingford. Flt Sub-Lt Francis Hamilton G. Toms (26) killed. Buried at Fulham (St. Thomas of Canterbury) Roman Catholic Churchyard.

24/3/16 Avro 504B. Hainault.

30/4/16 Curtiss JN-4 (3431) RNAS, Chingford.  Crashed attempting loop, Edmonton. Flt Sub-Lt Thomas Robson Liddle (20) killed. Buried at Grimsby (St. Andrew’s) Anglican Cemetery, Canada. The Cemetery Register adds “Killed whilst flying at Chingford, Epping".

2/6/16 G.W. XV. Chingford.

2/6/16 Avro 504B. Chingford.

25/8/16 BE2c. Hainault.

3/9/16 BE12. North Weald.

3/9/16 (02.55) Farman F56 (9167) Flt. Cdr. A.A. Arnold (RNAS Grain) force landed in a field adjacent to the landing ground at  Broomfield Court. Aircraft turned over and badly damaged. Pilot sprained ankle and suffered cuts.

24/9/1916 - Zeppelin L33 Little Wigborough.

24/9/16 Zeppelin (L32) Kaiserliche Marine. Shot down by 2Lt Frederick Sowrey, Snail's Hall Farm, Gt Burstead, Essex. All 22 crew killed.

Oberleutnant zur See Werner Gustav Iwan Peterson (29)

Adolf Bley (29), Obersignalmaat

Albin Ernst Bocksch (30), Obermaschinistenmaat

Karl Bortscheller (27), Funkentelegrafieobermaat

Wilhelm Otto Brockhaus (27), Oberheizer

Karl Friedrich Brodrück (25), Leutnant zur See

Paul Dorfmüller (26), Maschinistenmaat

Richard Hermann Fankhänel (34), Obermaschinistenmaat

Georg Hagedorn (28), Obermaschinistenmaat

Friedrich Heider (28), Oberbootsmannsmaat

Robert Klisch (23), Funkentelegrafieobergast

Hermann Mägdefrau (36), Obermaschinist

Bernhard Mohr (21), Obersegelmachersgast

August Müller (28), Matrose

Friedrich Pache (26), Bootsmannsmaat

Karl Paust (26), Obermaschinistenmaat

Ewald Picard (29), Obersignalmaat

Walter Prüss (21), Maschinistenmaat

Paul Schiering (31), Obermatrose

Bernhard Schreibmüller (23), Steuermann

Karl Völker (27), Obermaschinistenmaat

Alfred Zöpel (27), Oberbootsmannsmaat

2/10/16 BE2c. North Weald.

1917

8/1/17 Nieuport 12. Hornchurch.

15/4/17 G.W. XV. Chingford.

21/4/17 Avro 504B. Chingford.

9/5/17 Avro 504E (9283) RNAS, Chingford, Crashed, Chingford. Flt Sub-Lt Douglas Eric Penney (22) killed. He is buried at West Norwood Cemetery and Crematorium.

11/5/17 Maurice Farman Longhorn (N5034) RNAS, Chingford, Dived into sewage farm, Edmonton. Flt Lt Lewis Morgan (24) killed. Buried at Sampford Arundel (Holy Cross) Churchyard. Probationary  Flight Officer R.H. Seed, RNAS, died on the 11^th May 1917 and is buried at Chingford Mount Cemetery.

15/4/17  Grahame-White XV (3610) RNAS, Chingford, Overturned after engine failure on take-off, Chingford. Probationary Flight Officer Joseph Louis Lavigne (29) killed (Canadian), Flt Lt Frederick Warren Merriam unhurt. Probationary Flight Officer Joseph Louis Lavigne is buried at Leytonstone (St. Patrick’s) Roman Catholic Cemetery. He was the son of David Lavigne and his wife Victoria Mailhot, of 161, St. Jacques, Grand Mere, Quebec. Father David is the next of kin on the RNAS record. The 1900 US Census has a David and Victoria Lavigne, both from (French) Canada recorded living at Hopkinton, St Lawrence, New York State. Their children living with them are Louis, (born January 1895), Amelia, (February 1898) and Mary, (born April 1900). By the time of the 1901 Census of Canada the family had moved to Grand Mere, Champlain, Quebec. Mother Victoria is recorded by her maiden name of Mailhot. Their son Louis is recorded as aged 6 and born January 10^th, “Emilie” is aged 4 and born February 4^th, and Marie Lee is aged 1 and born April 17^th. So it looks like he was 22 when he died. One of the early RNAS pioneering fliers was a Frederick Warren Merriam. He was a Flight Sub-Lieutenant at Manston in the summer of 1917 at Manston. It was November 1917 before he was judged sufficiently recovered to be allowed to fly again. He had been transferred to Manston in July 1917. 

24/5/17 (04.25) BE2C (6817) 2^nd Lieu J.G. Goodyear blown off course during a defensive patrol and landed Burnham on Crouch.

5/6/17 (18.31) Gotha GIV (660/16) crashed in sea nearly two miles off Barton’s Point while being shelled by Sheerness and Shoeburyness guns. Gotha G.IV (660/16) Kasta 14, Kagohl 3, Shot down by anti-aircraft guns, Thames estuary, off Sheerness. Leutnant der Reserve Hans Francke (23) died 6.6.17; Vizefeldwebel Erich Kluck (20) drowned (pilot); Unteroffizier Georg Gustav Schumacher injured. Leutnant Hans Franke “Bogohl 3” is now buried at Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery. This casualty was previously buried at Sheerness (Isle of Sheppey) Cemetery. Vizefeldwebel Erich Kluck, B.G.3 is now buried at Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery. This casualty was previously buried at Sheerness (Isle of Sheppey) Cemetery.The International Committee of the Red Cross has two record cards for Vizefeldwebel Erich Kluck, one containing information from the British authorities that he died "off Sheerness" on the 5^th June 1917.  But looks like his unit according to the Germans is shown as Staffel 14, Kampfgeschwader III. He had been born Berlin on the 11^th August 1896. Georg Gustav Schumacher of Kg 3 \ Sta 14 captured off Sheerness 5^th June 1917 with a Fracture of Leg. Apparently there had been a previous notification (List 143 Appendix IV). He was being held in camp “Chm 504” then transferred to camp L.D.H. 4902 on the 23^rd July 1917  - Compound Fracture of left femur. Discharged 23^rd August 1917 to camp Hfth. 15720.

5/6/17 Sopwith 1½ Strutter crashed Stow Maries. Young Australian pilot, 2^nd/Lt. Roy Walter Mouritzen (37 Squadron), was flying a Sopwith 1½ Strutter. Returning to Stow at dusk, he attempted a downwind landing when, according to one eyewitness, he struck a steamroller (some say it was a caravan). He was only 20 years old and had gained his wings nine days earlier.

12/6/17 Curtis JN-4 tractor biplane (8862?). Probationary Flying Officer William George Parry (aged 26) of RNAS (HMS President) Chingford. Dived from 300 feet and struck the ground attempting to land. Pilot killed. Flt Lt John Patrick Coleman injured. The RNAS record of service for John Patrick Coleman shows him posted to Chingford on the 23^rd April 1917. “Particular notations”  Chingford 12.6.17:- Accident to Curtiss 8862. Pilot sustained shock + abrasions. Passenger Pro Flt Officer W.G. Parry killed. It would be September 1917 before Flight Lieutenant Coleman would be found fit for active service.
 

 

 

13/6/17 Probationary Flying Officer Kenneth Stuart (aged 18) of RNAS Chingford. Killed whilst training at Chingford. Late to flatten out and struck the ground.

17/6/1917 - Zeppelin L48 Theberton.

7/7/17 Gotha shot down by FK8 of 50 Squadron (Grace and Murray) and crashed in sea off River Crouch.

7/7/17 Sopwith 1½ Strutter (A8271) 2^nd Lieutenant John E.R. Young and AM CC Taylor of 37 Squadron killed when aircraft crashed on Maplin Sands. Believed shot down by AA fire whilst engaging Gothas. During a raid by enemy Gotha aircraft. 37 Squadron joined the fray and 19 year old, 2^nd/Lt. John Edward Rostron Young (pilot) and Airman (2^nd Class) Cyril Charles Taylor (observer) were killed near the Nore Light, most likely by what we would now term “friendly fire”. (Official reports say shot down by enemy aircraft – outnumbered by 22 of them).

7/7/17 Sopwith Camel (B3761) Flt. Sub-Ltn A. Lofft (RNAS Manston) crash landed near Maningtree after combat with raiding Gothas. Aircraft a write off. Pilot safe.

25/7/17 Sopwith Pup (A6206) 46 Sqn, Sutton's Farm. Failed to recover from spin, Sutton's Farm, Hornchurch, Essex. 2Lt Frederick Harold Maden Eberlin (20) killed. Second Lieutenant Frederick Harold Maden Eberlin, Royal Flying Corps and 3^rd Bn, KOYLI, died on the 25^th July 1917, aged 20.  He is buried at Nottingham Church Cemetery. The Casualty Card records the cause of the accident  as “Failed to take machine out of spin before hitting ground”. Remarks “Error of Judgt on part of Pilot in not allowing machine to gather speed after getting out of the vertical spin by putting the control stick forward”.

26/7/1917 Sopwith Pup (A6244) Captain Eric William Seton Cotterill of 37 Squadron. Aircraft suffered engine failure shortly after take-off and went into a spinning nose dive from 300 ft.  His injuries were so severe that he was taken to the Chelmsford and Essex Hospital and was only transferred to the Colchester Military Hospital when his condition was stable.  He received a bill for 8 guineas for the cost of his treatment at Chelmsford but this was paid by the RFC. He was only discharged from hospital in November, just in time for his wedding in Paris.

 

27/7/17 M-F Longhorn. Chingford.

28/7/17 Maurice Farman Longhorn (N5733) RNAS, Chingford. Wing collapsed in flight, Sewardstone, Essex. Probationary Flight Officer Robert Miller Denholm (18) killed. Probationary Flight Officer Robert Miller Denholm,  RNAS (Chingford) died on the 28^th July 1917 aged 18, and is buried at Greenock Cemetery.There are some memorial stained glass windows in the church at Greenock. An online blog adds the information “The windows were commissioned by the family of Robert Miller Denholm who died on 28 July 1917 while flying over Essex.  He was just eighteen years of age and had only recently joined the Royal Naval Air Service to train as a pilot.  While on a flight, the wing of his aircraft collapsed in mid-air and he was thrown from his machine and fell 600 feet to the ground, fracturing his skull.”  His RNAS Statement of Service shows posted to Chingford on the 14^th July 1917. Particular notations  adds “28.7.17:-Accident to M.F. 5733. M/C crashing to earth in a spinning nose-dive” 

 

 

6/8/17 B.E.2c 988, RNAS, Chingford. Sideslipped and crashed after engine failure, Chingford. Flt Lt Charles Vernon Arnold (23) killed. Probationary Flight Officer Leonard Eales Forman (18) killed.

17/8/17 “2 British Aircraft” mid air collision over Thames. Lt. Tanmer crashed in the shallows and was rescued. Lt. A.G. Dow (Canadian Flying Corps) crashed in Kent near Joyce Green (killed). Allan Gladstone Dow lies in Watling Street Cemetery, Dartford. Gravestone reads Lt Allan George DOW (note George on headstone, but Gladstone in official records). Royal Flying Corps. Died 17 August 1917. Aged 22 years. "Drowned after a collision in the air, while flying at Joyce Green Aerodrome, Dartford, Kent, England (next to River Thames). Erected by Brother Officers in No 63 Training Squadron, Royal Flying Corps.

19/8/17 Sopwith Camel (B3788) Lieutenant George Robert Craig MC of East Lancashire Regiment, attached 44 Squadron (Hainault). Engaged in fighting practice and went into a spin. Crashed ½ mile north of aerodrome. Pilot killed.

 

4/9/17 Avro 504B (N6668) RNAS, Chingford. Fell in Chingford Reservoir. Probationary Flight Officer Allen Sandby Coombe (18) killed. Probationary Flight Officer Cecil Saunders injured.

 

27/9/17 (08.20) ? collided with another aircraft over Rochford whilst making spiral descent. Lieutenant Arthur Sydney Talbot (27) instructing student 2^nd-Lieutenant Geoffrey Cooper Malcolm (25) both killed. Both buried Rochford.

 

28/9/17 M-F Longhorn. Chingford.

29/9/17 (22.00) Sopwith 1½ Strutter (B2555) Lieut. N.C. Crombie (Observer) and Capt. F.W. Honnett (pilot) (78 Squadron) force landed Orsett in thick fog.

30/9/17 Sopwith 1½ Strutter (B2593) Lieut. J.S. Castle and 1^st A.M. Dawes (78 Squadron) force landed whilst on an operational patrol at North Benfleet.

6/10/17 BE2e (A1876) crashed Stow Maries. 2^nd/Lt. William Quintus Newsom Richardson, lies buried in Maldon’s London Road Cemetery. He died when his aircraft side-slipped during a practice flight out of Goldhanger (37 Squadron) He was 19. (n.b. a lot more to follow on this lad in due course).

19/10/17 “Sopwith” Lt. Aubrey de Tresalor stalled on T/O Hornchurch. Pilot killed.

20/10/17 ? Waltham Abbey.

1/11/17 (03.00) Sopwith 1½ Strutter (A5238) Capt. F. Billings of 78 Squadron force landed Orsett whilst on a defensive patrol.

11/11/17 Lieutenant Walter Wood MC of 44 (HD) Squadron took off in one of two Sopwith Camels tasked to practice dog-fighting; Wood was still suffering from influenza contracted in France. His Camel dived into the ground for no apparent reason, killing him; it is surmised he fainted at the controls.

22/11/1917 SE5a (B657) Capt. Charles William Bruce:The Deputy- Coroner (Mr. H.J. Jefferies) held an inquest on Saturday touching on the death of Capt. Charles W. Bruce, aged 22, of the Gordon Highlanders, attached to the R.F.C., who was killed at an Essex aerodrome on Thursday. Deceased was a native of Alburgh, near Harleston. The evidence showed that the deceased was an experienced and qualified pilot. On Thursday he was flying at a height of 100 feet when, in turning, his machine nose-dived and fell to the ground. At a court of inquiry it was found that the deceased attempted to turn while flying at an insufficient speed. Upon hitting the ground the machine burst into flames, and the deceased was terribly burnt. Lieut. Love, R.A.M.C., stated that in his opinion deceased was rendered unconscious by a blow in the face and the concussion when the machine hit the ground. When unconscious he was suffocated by the intense heat. He did not think the deceased suffered. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, and expressed sympathy with the parents – and the loss which the country had sustained in the death of the officer. (Norwich Mercury dated Saturday December 1st, 1917). CWGC shows Captain Charles William Bruce, Royal Flying Corps and Gordon Highlanders, as having died on the 22nd November 1917. He is buried at Southend on Sea (Sutton Road) Cemetery. The death of the 22 year old Charles William Bruce was registered in the Rochford District. The RAF Museum Story Vault has him serving with 61 Squadron and flying a S.E.5a serial B657. I think from the Casualty Card that 61 Squadron were stationed at Rochford. 

27/11/17 ? Waltham Abbey.

6/12/17 (04.45) Gotha GIV (906/16) port propeller shattered by AA fire over Canvey crashed on golf course after hitting a tree attempting to land at Rochford.

17/12/17 Curtiss H-4 (3587) RNAS, Felixstowe. Sideslipped and nosedived into sea after take-off, off Harwich. Ensign Phillips Ward Page (32) drowned (US Navy).

18/12/17 Sopwith Camel F1 (B2378). 2^nd Lieutenant Vane Carrington Manuel (aged 29) of 56 Squadron. Went into a spin whilst landing. Crashed Hainault Farm. Pilot killed.

22/12/17 BE2e (B4545) Captain Barrington Chadwick Quinan of 37 Squadron injured when he crashed at Woodham Walter. Quinan came over from Canada as part of the CEF and was sent to France in February 1915.  He was wounded in May and evacuated to England but, in addition to his wounds, he was suffering from shell shock.  His recovery was slow and he returned to Canada in October to recuperate.  He was still not fully fit when he returned to England and he continued in England based roles for the next 18 months or so and was promoted to Captain.  But he was keen to return to the Front so applied to join the RFC. He started his flight training in September 1917 and afterwards was with 37 Squadron for further training.  His flying career was still in its early stages as he had flown three solo flights totalling 1hr 45 mins by the time of his crash.  He was quite seriously injured in the crash and he was taken to Colchester Military Hospital with “brain lacerations”.  The Court of Enquiry determined that the crash had arisen due to engine failure on take-off but his medical notes state that he suddenly became nervous and lost control of his aircraft.  Although his physical health improved his mental health appeared to have deteriorated significantly and he was then admitted to Blake Hall Hospital, Ongar, Essex and then to Quarrybank Hospital, Liverpool. While at Quarrybank he contracted influenza which developed into pneumonia and he died on 20 July 1918. He was aged 25 years

1918

21/1/1918 Probationary Flight Officer William Eric Floyd, Royal Naval Air Service (aged 19). Buried at Birkenhead (Flaybrick Hill) Cemetery. Flying out of Chingford machine crashed at Fairlop, killing the pilot instantly and burst into flames on landing.

26/1/18 ? Waltham Abbey.

28/1/18 BE2c. Waltham Abbey.

28/1/18 (21.30) Sopwith Camel engine stopped by AA shell burst and crash landed near railway signal box at Hornchurch. Aircraft destroyed. Pilot, I.M. Davies safe.

28/1/18 Gotha GV (938/16) (22.10) shot down at Frund’s Farm, Wickford by Sopwith Camels flown by Capt. H.C. Hackwell and 2^nd Lieut. Banks of 44 Squadron. Gotha burnt out and crew of three killed (Leut. Friedrich von Thomsen (nav), Unter. Karl Ziegler (pilot – shot through neck) and Walter Heiden (gunner)). Hackwell and Banks awarded MM.

29/1/18 Bristol F2B. North Weald.

30/1/18 Bristol F2B. North Weald.

16/2/18 Sopwith Camel B5192, a Comic conversion, flown by Henry Arthur Edwardes of 44 Squadron flying from Hainault Farm broke up in the air killing the pilot.  He was a local man and was born in Great Totham near Maldon and was aged 19 at the time of his death.

18/2/18 (01.10) BE12 (6610) 2^nd Lieut. S. Armstrong of 37 Squadron killed when aircraft crashed and caught fire at Tolleshunt Major, possibly following engine failure whilst on a defensive patrol. 2^nd/Lt. Sydney Armstrong, who took off from Goldhanger airfield at 11 o’clock on the evening of February 17^th 1918 in his BE12 biplane. At 1 o’clock the following morning the body of the 18 year old pilot was discovered in the shell of his burnt-out machine, in a field at Tolleshunt Major.

26/2/18 BE2 crashed Goldhanger. Armstrong’s replacement was Irish born, Catholic lad, 2^nd/Lt. Frederick Augustus Crowley, who took off in a BE2 (from Goldhanger. 37 Squadron) on his third solo just before 9am on 26/2/1918. He clipped some trees, stalled and came down in a field at the back of ‘The Cricketers’ pub, where the aircraft burst into flames.

2/3/18 Sopwith Camel (C1625) 78 Sqn, Hornchurch. Stalled and spun on turn, Sutton's Farm, Hornchurch.  2Lt William Heys Pickup (33) killed. It was observed to spin into the ground from 100 feet. 

7/3/18 BE12 (C3208) Capt. Alex Kynoch (37 Squadron) killed following collision after take off from Stow Maries (23.29), crashed in a field at Wickford.

7/3/18 SE5A (B679) Capt. H.C. Stroud (aged 24) (61 Squadron) killed following collision (see above) after take-off from Rochford (23.30), crashed in a field at Wickford. Buried  Rochford.

A propeller memorial to 24 year old Captain Kynoch and the other pilot (Captain Stroud) was erected on the site by the local farmer.

23/3/18 Sopwith Camel (C6726) Captain Sidney Percival Gamon, 1/5 Cheshires and 78 Squadron RFC (Hornchurch). Went into spin and hit the ground. Pilot killed.

20/4/18 (3.30pm) Sopwith Camel F1 (C6717) Major  Cuthbert Roger Rowden, M.C. (aged 21), 78^th Squadron, Royal Air Force and 5^th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, was killed on the 20^th April 1918, aged 21. The machine spun into the ground at Hornchurch. “The court having duly considered the evidence are of the opinion that the accident was due to no fault of the machine or engine. They find that the machine when it was approximately 50 feet from the ground did a right hand vertical bank, and owing to an error of judgment on the part of the pilot, its nose dropped and it dived straight into the ground."  

23/4/18 BE12 (B4535) 2^nd Lieut. C.L. Milburn (Canadian) (37 Squadron) killed in crash Stow Maries. Aircraft caught fire. 2/Lt. Edward Gerald Mucklow deserted from the Royal Fusiliers and served with 37 Squadron, under the name Cyril Lawson Milburn. He was killed, when his BE12 suffered engine failure during a spin and he crashed on Moonshine Field, near the aerodrome at Stow Maries. He was comparatively “old” at 31.

24/4/18 (15.19) SE5a (C5339) 61 Sqn, Rochford. Wing collapsed while pulling out of dive, Rochford. Lt Charles Alexander Brown (20) killed. He was engaged in flight formation at the time. "Owing to the pilot diving at a very considerable speed and tending to pull the machine out too suddenly. Right wing was overstrained and doubled up." 

30/4/18 Sopwith Camel F1 (B6204) 207 TDS, Chingford. Spun and nose dived from 2,000ft, Edmonton.  2Lt Charles Frederick Stephen Jackson (23) killed. He is buried at Southend-on-Sea, (North Road), Cemetery. Nose dived from 2,000 feet into ground with engine full on.

8/5/18 Sopwith F1 Camel (D6649) 2^nd. Lieut. John Donald Baird (aged 20) (44 Training Squadron) accident spinning from 6000 feet, nose dive Hainault Farm. Pilot error.

11/5/18 RE8 (E58) Lt. Harry Lynn Hopkins (24) (189 Night Training Squadron) turning in air over field in Essex crashed and was killed. Buried Hornchurch.

17/5/18 (9.45am) R.E.8 (C2306) 8 AAP, Lympne. Engine failed, stalled and crashed, Weeley Heath, Essex. Lt Edward Terence Heard (28) killed. Due to engine failure, machine stalled and crashed. The Court of Enquiry simply concluded that "the cause of the accident is obscure". 8th Squadron was in France & Flanders at the time of Edwards' death, so more likely he was serving with 8 Aircraft Acceptance Park and most likely on a delivery flight.

19/5/18 Sopwith Camel (B4614) (23.45) Lt. W.E. Nicholson force landed (broken pressure valve) at Chingford.

19/5/18 (23.50) Gotha GV (925/16) ‘Pommern’pilot decended to 2000 feet through cloud and choked starboard engine and force landed St. Osyth. Pilot Lt. W. Rist and observer, Leutnant Wilheim Rist killed. Vize. Max Gummelt and Rudolf Huhnsdorf safe.

19/5/18 D.H.6 (A9598) 207 TDS, Chingford. Hit trees making forced landing in cemetery after engine failure, Chingford. 2Lt William Robert Burdett (21) killed. Crashed and caught fire after engine failure. In attempting to land in the cemetery he caught trees which brought the craft to the ground where the machine caught fire, killing the pilot before any assistance could be rendered. 

20/5/18 Gotha (00.20) shot down by Bristol Fighter (C4636) of 39 Squadron flown by Lieut. A.J. Arkell and 1^st AM A.T.C. Stagg. Crashed off Roman Road, East Ham. Crew of three killed. After firing around 700 rounds at the Gotha it caught fire and the crew jumped to their deaths. The aircraft spun and came down in a bean field between Roman Road and Beckton Road, East Ham. The site is now used for school playing fields.

20/5/18 Bristol F2B. North Weald.

21/5/18 (11.23am) Sopwith Camel (D6677) 78 Sqn, Hornchurch. Hit tree and crashed. 2Lt Cyril Gordon Joyce (20) died 22.5.18 (South African). Buried at Hornchurch (St Andrew) Churchyard. Spun to ground and engine choked trying to land and he then struck a tree, leaving him severely injured. The plane was seen to fall out of control. The engine choking was put down to pilot error. 

22/5/18 SE5a crashed Danbury. 2^nd/Lt. William Martin Burfoot (37 Squadron) suffered engine failure in his SE5a and stalled, turning near the ground, before crashing at Danbury.

19/6/18 Avro 504 (C732 or C733) 198 NTS, Rochford. Stalled and spun turning on approach, Rochford. Lt Harold Eborall Davis MC (28) killed. Flt Cadet Henry William Francis Rendall injured.

7/7/18 Sopwith Pup (C308) 189 NTS, Hornchurch. Came down in River Thames, near Barking. Lt William Bruce Ferguson MC (22) drowned (Canadian). Lieutenant William Bruce Ferguson, 9^th Battalion Canadian Railway Troops and RAF, died on the 7^th July 1918 aged 22. He is buried at Hornchurch (St. Andrew) Churchyard.
His Casualty Card records him as 1^st Canadian Pioneers & RAF.  Accident timed 5.15 a.m. 7^th July 1918. Accident is put down to a forced landing on the Thames – cause unknown. His RAF AIR76 record shows him as born 12^th August 1896 – so he would have been 21, not 22, and that’s if the date of birth is correct.

15/7/1918 Avro 504K (D2085) Flight Cadet Thomas Eric Cotton of 198 (NT) Squadron  injured when he crashed. The court of inquiry determined that the cause of the accident was an error in judgement on the part of the pilot by turning with the engine shut off, causing the machine to stall and develop a spin which continued until  it crashed into the ground. The court stated that the pilot was not disobeying flying instructions but was disobeying the instructor’s order in that he shut off his engine and attempted to turn when near the ground. Cotton was in hospital for 4 months.He was subsequently posted to 37 Squadron where he had another crash on 3 February 1919 while flying Avro 504K E4108.  Unfortunately it seems that he continued to suffer from the effects of these crashes as he committed suicide in 1920 by gassing himself. 

29/7/18 Bristol F2B. ?

5/8/1918 - Zeppelin L70 in sea.

7/8/1918 Sopwith Camel (F1367) Flight Cadet Thomas Gardiner Keir of 37 Squadron injured when he crashed at Tolleshunt D'Arcy. Keir had taken off from Goldhanger and stalled on a left hand turn, got into a left hand spin and in correcting started to spin to the right and crashed. At the time of his crash he had completed 95 hours of solo flying.  His injuries were severe and life changing.  He had a penetration wound to the right eye which had left him almost totally blind in that eye and a compound fracture of the right foot which in 1919 had still leaving him with considerable difficulty in walking.

7/8/17 Sopwith Camel F1 (D6683). 2^nd Lieutenant Neville Metcalfe (aged 23) 189 Training Squadron Hornchurch. Low flying, went into spin and crashed on airfield. Pilot killed.

15/8/18 “2 seat British Aircraft” crashed after take off West Tilbury. Pilot Lt. King seriously injured and AM Miller slightly.

3/9/18 Sopwith Camel (D9569) crashed off low loop, South Ockendon. Pilot Lt. Brian Gerald Mahoney (aged 28. New Zealander) (189 NTS Squadron, Hornchurch) killed.

20/9/18 Sopwith Camel crashed Stow Maries. 20 year old, Lieutenant Edward Cecil Henry Robert Nicholls was flying a Sopwith Camel when he turned sharply after take-off from Stow (37 Squadron), spun, crashed and was killed.

27/9/18 Camel (F1395) Lt. John Wilton Sheridan killed (aged 29) (61 Squadron). Mid-air collision Rochford.

27/9/18 Camel (F1315) 2^ndLt. Reginald Frank Sanders (aged 19) (61 Squadron) killed. Mid-air collision Rochford.

23/10/18 Avro (E3598) William Thomas Cole. Harold Keates (21953) of 189 (Night) Training Squadron. Killed when 'flying in South Essex both in the same machine which nosedived and crashed to the ground' Court of inquiry said pilot deliberately put aircraft into a spin but failed to get out of spin. Reason unknown.

31/10/18 Sopwith Camel F1 (F6426) Second Lieutenant Harold Edward Crosby (aged 25), 61^st Squadron, Royal Air Force, died on the 31^st October 1918, aged 25.Crashed at Rochford at 4 p.m. The cause of the crash is unclear – the assumption seems to be the pilot fainted.

 

END

Version 3 (17/12/2023)

 

Great War Landing Grounds in (old) Essex

 

Beaumont (nr. Thorpe-le-Soken). RFC

Blackheath Common (Colchester). RFC

Bournes Green (Shoeburyness). ARMY

Braintree. RFC

Broomfield Court (Chelmsford). RFC

Burnham-on-Crouch. RNAS/RFC

Chingford. RNAS/RAF

Clacton. RNAS

East Hanningfield (nr. Chelmsford). RFC

Easthorpe (nr. Marks Tey). RFC

Fairlop (nr. Chigwell). RNAS/RAF

Fyfield (nr. Ongar). RFC

Goldhanger (nr. Maldon). RNAS/RFC (37 Squadron)

Hainault Farm (Ilford). RNAS/RFC (39, 44 Squadrons)

Hondon-on-the-Hill (nr. Orsett). RFC

Little Clacton. RFC

Mountnessing (nr. Ingatestone). RFC

North Benfleet (nr. Pitsea). RFC

North Ockendon (nr. Orsett). RFC

North Weald Bassett. RFC (39 Squadron)

Orsett. RFC

Rochford (nr. Southend). RFC (37, 61, 141 Squadrons)/RNAS

Runwell (nr. Wickford). RFC

Shenfield (nr. Ingatestone). RFC

Sible Hedingham. RFC

Stow Maries. RFC (37 Squadron)

Suttons Farm (Hornchurch). RFC (39, 78 Squadrons)

Thaxted. RFC

Widford (nr. Chelmsford). RNAS

Wormingford (nr. Wakes Colne). RFC

Writtle (nr. Chelmsford). RFC

 

n.b. RFC became RAF 1/4/18.

[charlie962]

3 hours ago, stephen p nunn said:

13/10/15 (23.15) BE2C 2^nd Lieu J.C. Slessor following combat sortie was blinded by searchlight whilst landing and landed in field near Suttons Farm. Pilot safe

pilot safe. Good job too.

Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir John Cotesworth Slessor, GCB, DSO, MC (3 June 1897 – 12 July 1979) was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force (RAF), serving as Chief of the Air Staff from 1950 to 1952. As a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War, he saw action with No. 17 Squadron in the Middle East, earning the Military Cross, and with No. 5 Squadron on the Western Front, where he was awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre.

(Copied from wiki)

[stephen p nunn]

Wow - thanks charlie962

[stephen p nunn]

And these are the aircraft types involved (that we know of so far).

Version 1 (17/12/23)

Aircraft types involved in Essex crashes

Airco DH6

 

Avro 503

Avro 504B

Avro 504E

Avro 504K

Blériot XI Parasol

Bristol Boxkite

Bristol F2B

Caudron

Curtis) H-4

Curtis JN-4 ‘Jenny’

Grahame-White XV

Maurice Farman F56

Maurice Farman MF7 ‘Longhorn’

Nieuport 12

Pemberton-Billing PB9

Pemberton-Billing PB23E

 

Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c

Royal Aircraft Factory BE2e

Royal Aircraft Factory BE12

Royal Aircraft Factory RE8

Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a

 

Sopwith Camel

Sopwith Pup

Sopwith 1½ Strutter

 Vickers FB5 ‘Gunbus’

Gotha G.IV

Zeppelin

[PRC]

5 hours ago, stephen p nunn said:

29/7/18 Bristol F2B. ?

Possibly this incident:-
28.7.18 Bristol Fighter B1331, 39 Sqn, North Weald, Crashed after parachute flare ignited, Epping Forest

               Flt Cdr Owen Vincent Thomas (23) died 29.7.18
               2Lt Albany Francis Cairns (18) died 29.7.18
Sourced: http://www.rcawsey.co.uk/Acc1918b.htm

Flight Commander O. V. Thomas, RAF died on the 29^th July 1918, and is buried at Coopersale (St. Alban) Churchyard. According to the Grave Registration Report the original private grave marker noted that he “Died from the result of an accident at North Weald, Epping.  Age 24.” https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2757538/o-v-thomas/

Second Lieutenant A.F. Cairns, RAF, died on the 29^th July 1918, an is buried at Normanton Cemetery, Yorkshire. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/409591/a-f-cairns/

The death of the 23 year old Owen Vincent Thomas and the 18 year old Albany Francis Cairns were registered in the Epping District in Q3 1918.

The Casualty Card for Captain Owen Vincent Thomas, 39 Squadron, RAF, shows him as the Pilot of Bristol F2b Fighter B1331 when it caught fire in the air at North Weald. He died on the 29^th July 1918. He was instructing on night observation and a time is given was 10.50 pm on the 29^th – although whether that is the time of the crash or the time of his death is unclear. Owen is recorded as having died of burns. 2^nd Lieutenant A.F. Cairns is recorded as seriously injured. It’s difficult to make out the remarks column and there is only a next of kin address written on the back of the card. I think it says something like “Parachute flare stuck in Rhs tube + exploded.  Pilot made hasty descent, overshot the flares, hit the hedge + machine burst into flames”. https://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/thomas-o.v.-owen-vincent

The card for 2^nd Lt Albany Francis Cairns shows the accident as happening at 10.50 pm on the 28^th July 1918 and that he died on the 29^th.  Initially recorded as seriously burned this was struck through and died of injuries added. His role aboard was as Observer and he was being instructed. https://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/7000266884-cairns-a.f.-albany-francis

Owen Vincent Thomas courtesy https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/4409016

Cheers,
Peter

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[PRC]

29.7.18 Camel D9493, 189 NTS, Hornchurch, Stalled in turn and nose dived.

               2Lt Frederick William Cannon (22) died 2.8.18
Sourced: http://www.rcawsey.co.uk/Acc1918b.htm

Second Lieutenant Frederick William Cannon, 189^th N.T.S., RAF, died on the 2^nd August 1918 and is buried at Enfield (Lavender Hill) Cenetery. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/386877/frederick-william-cannon/

The death of a 22 year old Frederick William Cannon was registered in the Romford district in Q3 1918.

2nd Lieutenant Frederick William Cannon, 189 Night Training Squadron, was the pilot of Sopwith Camel D9493 which crashed on the 29^th July 1918 as a result of engine failure. He died on August 2^nd 1918. The related Casualty Card adds “Engine choked when attempting to turn”.  Initially he was recorded as "Injured seriously". https://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/cannon-f.w.-frederick-william

The 1919 Probate Calendar records that Frederick William Cannon, 28 Gordon Hill, Enfield, Middlesex, second-lieutenant R.A.F. died 2^nd August 1918 at Warley Military Hospital, Brentwood, Essex. https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk

Cheers,
Peter

[PRC]

7.8.18 Avro 504K D9299, 1 (Observers) School of Aerial Gunnery, Hythe.

               Spectators hit while attempting to take off from field, Terling, Essex

               Mrs Edith Emily White (37) killed
               Miss Edith Jay (24) died 9.8.18
               Sgt Frederick James Hellyer DCM MSM injured (pilot)
               A Mech 1 Wilfred Widdall injured
               Miss Hilda Bright injured
               Miss Mary Sharpe injured
               Miss Maud Thurgood injured
               Mrs Ada Wager injured
Sourced: http://www.rcawsey.co.uk/Acc1918b.htm

Wonder if @Jim Strawbridge is aware of this one?

Couldn’t initially find a Casualty Card for Sergeant Hellyer, but could find two in the RAF Museum storyvault for Air Mechanic 1^st Class 25394 W. Widdall, 1 Observers’ School of Air Gunnery, RAF Hythe. The report came from Hythe Station on the 7^th August 1918 that he and a Sergeant “Hillyer” were missing. They were aboard Avro D19299. Someone has scrawled across one of the cards in pencil “Is he dead”. https://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/widdall-w

There are matching cards for a Sergeant F. J. “Hillyer” – the RAF Museum has not been able to identify a service number and so likely it is Hellyer. https://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/hillyer-f.j

FindMyPast has statement of airmans services records for 25394 Wilfred Widdall and 718 Frederick James Hellyer – the latter mans records commencing in 1913.

The Genealogist has a blog piece on Frederick James Hellyer in connection with the award of the MSM.
In an auction that took place in July 2011, Frederick Hellyer’s medals were sold for a respectable price of £3800 at Mayfair auctioneers Dix Noonan Webb Ltd. Their website reveals that Fl. Sgt. Hellyer received his MSM ‘For valuable services with the Armies in the Field (Salonika)'. The recommendation, they note, states he was honoured ‘For exceptionally good work at El Hammam 1916. He worked night and day to keep the aeroplanes at El Hammam in working order. The skill he displayed and the example he set enabled this detachment to carry out its duties with success.’

The auctioneers on their website www.dnw.co.uk described the medal set they sold as ‘A rare DCM, MSM group of five awarded to Flight Sergeant Mechanic F. J. Hellyer, 17 Squadron Royal Flying Corps, who won both awards and a mention in despatches for services with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force.’

Frederick Hellyer, it would seem, received pilot training and on the 29 April 1917 he reverted back to Sergeant (1st Class Pilot) from Flight Sergeant. When the Royal Air Force was formed in 1918 he was given the RAF rank of Sergeant Mechanic (Pilot).
https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2018/finding-ancestors-awarded-the-meritorious-service-medal-768/

The death of an Edith Emily White, aged 37, was registered in the Braintree District in Q3 1918.
The death of an Edith Jay, aged 24, was registered in the Colchester District in Q3 1918.

There is a report on the inquest into the death of a Mrs Edith Emily White “Killed by Aeroplane” in the edition of the Western Daily Press dated Saturday 10^th 1918. From the snippet available without subscription it looks like it says that a second women who was knocked down had succumbed.

There are a lot more references to the inquest on Edith Jay in the regional newspapers, and again from the snippets it looked like the plane flipped over and that at the time of the inquest both pilot, Sergeant Hellyer, and mechanic were adjudged too severely injured to be able to attend.

Cheers,
Peter

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[stephen p nunn]

More excellent stuff Peter. Thank you.

[PRC]

26.8.18 Bristol Fighter C4885, RAF, Sideslipped and nose dived, High Ongar, Essex

               Col Bertram Hopkinson CMG (44) killed
Sourced: http://www.rcawsey.co.uk/Acc1918b.htm

Colonel Bertram Hopkinson, RAF, died on the 26^th August 1918 and is buried at Cambridge (SS Giles and Peter) Church Cemetery. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/344345/bertram-hopkinson/

The death of the 44 year old Bertram Hopkinson was registered in the Ongar District in Q3 1874.

He played an important part in preparations for the war, in his studies on gas and internal combustion engines, the science of flame and explosions and in his study of the elastic hysteresis of metals.

At outbreak of war, Hopkinson was himself mobilised. The next four years were the culmination of his life's work. He threw into the war effort all his inventiveness, initiative and untiring energy. He developed the idea of implanting blisters on ships hulls to absorb the force of explosions from mines, as well as designing bombs and equipment for aircraft.

He opened the experimental station at Orfordness in 1916 (now a National Trust Property) where he carried out research on bombs, gyro sights, guns and ammunition. He learned to fly, although he was twice as old as the average pilot, because he felt this would help in his understanding of what was required by pilots. He worked on the problems of flying at night, in bad weather, and on navigating in clouds. He was promoted to Colonel. It was on 26 August, 1918, that Hopkinson was killed in an aircrash, whilst flying from Martlesham Heath to London in bad weather, in a Bristol Fighter.
http://www-g.eng.cam.ac.uk/125/1900-1925/hopkinson3.html
http://www-g.eng.cam.ac.uk/125/1900-1925/hopkinson4.html

Photograph of Bertram-Hopkinson sourced Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertram_Hopkinson

Casualty Card

He was the pilot of Bristol Fighter C4885 returning fom Martlesham Heath to Hendon when he is believed to have side-slipped and nose-dived. He crashed at Paston, Essex at 8.45. No-one else was onboard.
https://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/hopkinson-b

Cheers,
Peter

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[PRC]

23.9.18  Camel C1582, 78 Sqn, Hornchurch, Stalled and spun with missing engine, Hornchurch

               2Lt Roland Albert James Sadler (22) killed
Sourced: http://www.rcawsey.co.uk/Acc1918c.htm

Second Lieutenant Roland Albert James Sadler, Royal Air Force and Royal Warwickshire Regiment, died on the 23^rd September 1918, aged 22 and is buried at Redenhall (The Assumption) Churchyard.  The private headstone  states he was “Accidentally killed whilst flying at Hornchurch, Essex, Sept. 23^rd 1918. Aged 22 years.”
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2802391/roland-albert-james-sadler/

The death of the 23 year old Roland Albert Sadler was registered in the Romford District in Q3 1918.

It’s difficult to make out anything on the Casualty Card. https://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/7000257331-sadler-r.a.j.-roland-albert-james

See also https://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/media/6542958/roland-albert-james-sadler.pdf which claims the family were sent a copy of the Court of Inquiry report which partially blamed Roland but also laid some of the responsibility to a faulty batch of plugs which had caused numerous problems through mis-firing.

Cheers,
Peter

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[PRC]

25.9.18 Bristol Fighter E2160, 39 Sqn, North Weald, Engine failure, North Weald
               Lt Roy Garon Underwood (19) killed
               2Lt Reginald Pym Hitchin-Kemp (21) killed
Sourced: http://www.rcawsey.co.uk/Acc1918c.htm

Lieutenant Roy Garon Underwood, RAF, died on the 25^th September 1918, aged 19, and is buried at Southend-On-Sea (Sutton Road) Cemetery.  The Cemetery Register notes “Accidentally killed”. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/357446/roy-garon-underwood/#&gid=1&pid=2

Second Lieutenant R.P.H. Kemp, RAF, died on the 25^th September 1918. Originally buried at Hendon (St Mary) Churchyard, he is one of a number now commemorated by a special memorial in the churchyard. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/388206/r-p-h-kemp/

The General Registrars Office quarterly index of deaths in England & Wales has the death of a 19 year old Roy E. Underwood recorded in the Epping District in Q3 1918, but the GRO website has no matching record in their indexes for any male Underwood who died in the Epping District or a male Underwood aged 19 who died in England & Wales – so whether the E is a mistake for now can’t be checked via that route. It may be a co-incidence but the birth of a Roy Garon Underwood was registered with the civil authorities in the Wangford District of Suffolk in Q2 1899.

Similarly the GRO quarterly index has the death of a Reginald P. Hitchin-Kamp, aged 21, recorded in the Epping District but no match on the actual GRO website. But the birth of a Reginald Pym Hitchin-Kemp was registered with the civil authorities in the Fulham District in Q2 1897.

The Casualty Card for Lieutenant Roy Garon Underwood shows he was the pilot of Bristol Fighter E2160, 39 Squadron which crashed due to Engine Failure at North Weald at 11 am on the 25^th September 1918.

He and 2/Lt. R.H. Kemp were both killed. https://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/underwood-r.g.-roy-garon

No additional information on the cards for Second Lieutenant Reginald Hitchen Kemp. https://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/kemp-r.h.-reginald-hitchen

Cheers,
Peter

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