Dominion Posted 8 March Share Posted 8 March Looking for some additional information on Capt. George Bailey Hodgson. I believe, prior to his RFC career, he was in the RGA and transferred to the flying corps and was certified in July 1915. I have seen he was recommended for a Military Cross but cannot find any additional information beyond that it was downgraded to a MiD while serving with 13th Squadron. In early 1917 he was with the 59th Squadron and was shot down on 13th April 1917 by Jasta 4 & 11 while performing photo reconaissance near Biache-Saint-Vaast. Would anyone be able to direct me to some period maps of that area? Any additional information would be greatly appreciated, I am also trying to find a photograph of the man in question too. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topgun1918 Posted 8 March Share Posted 8 March 13 April 1917 was a pretty disastrous day for No 59 Squadron and the events are discussed in my 100 years ago today threads on The Aerodrome - https://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67756 Hodgson received his Royal Aero Club Certificate, number 1483, on 29 July 1915; unfortunately, Volume 4 of the books containing details and photographs of pilots awarded RAeC Certificates is missing. The relevant trench map can be found at https://digitalarchive.mcmaster.ca/islandora/object/macrepo%3A4067/-/collection Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteStarLine Posted 8 March Share Posted 8 March 7 hours ago, Dominion said: Would anyone be able to direct me to some period maps of that area? TrenchMapper has 74 georeferenced maps of this area and 2 aerial photos. This extract was printed 25/4/1917. Click to enlarge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan1892 Posted 8 March Share Posted 8 March (edited) I don't know if you have seen the write up on GBH Cpt. G.B. Hodgson - 59th Squadron RFC - RAF (number59squadron.com) Edited 8 March by Allan1892 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan1892 Posted 8 March Share Posted 8 March 8 hours ago, Dominion said: I believe, prior to his RFC career, he was in the RGA and transferred to the flying corps and was certified in July 1915 The attached image (courtesy of Ancestry) would appear to confirm this. The bottom line entry shows an incorrect date of death. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topgun1918 Posted 8 March Share Posted 8 March It should be noted that No 59 Squadron’s mission was photography in the area of Étaing, located at Sheet 51b P.3, about three miles south-east of Biache-Saint-Vaast, located at Sheet 51b I.11. Four of the R.E.8s that failed to return had been detailed as escort to the photography machines. Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteStarLine Posted 8 March Share Posted 8 March So something like this (noting that it is a much later map). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominion Posted 9 March Author Share Posted 9 March (edited) Thanks for the additional information everyone, and those write ups too! I found another reference in the Yorkshire Post (29 June 1917) stating that he originally enlisted into the Northumberland Fusiliers. Have not as of yet found any records relating to his service with them, but I think he was born in 1896. Edited 9 March by Dominion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaySearching Posted 9 March Share Posted 9 March Here you are, face to a name Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominion Posted 9 March Author Share Posted 9 March 4 minutes ago, RaySearching said: Here you are, face to a name Ray Fantastic job Ray! Thank you so much. What was the source of this if you don't mind me asking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaySearching Posted 9 March Share Posted 9 March Just now, Dominion said: What was the source of this if you don't mind me asking? Source Illustrated Chronicle (Newcastle) 20th Jan 1917 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominion Posted 12 March Author Share Posted 12 March Thank you all for the additional information, has been very helpful! I also identified some files at the National Archives - https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C1072178 - but they are unfortunately not digitized currently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaySearching Posted 12 March Share Posted 12 March You may already have these George's Probate His father died 1918 His oldest brother Reuben Hodgson (a solicitor) applied for George's medals MIC Source Ancestry Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaySearching Posted 12 March Share Posted 12 March 9 hours ago, Dominion said: Thank you all for the additional information, has been very helpful! I also identified some files at the National Archives - https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C1072178 - but they are unfortunately not digitized currently. Whilst George Bailey Hodgson officers file cannot be downloaded not digitized his air officers service record can be downloaded (from the link you provided) as link, there is an error in the N I catalogue regarding his date of birth Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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