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Remembered Today:

Men of the Royal Naval Air Service


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Duncan,

It is very kind of you to offer look-ups. I am keen to discover more about:

SURNAME: Pearson

C/NAMES: William G.

DOB: 8/91

UNIT: RNAS Russian Armoured Cars

DATE OF DEATH: 1/7/17

AGE AT DEATH: 26

RANK: PO Mech

NUMBER: F/10058

MEMORIAL: Poznan, Poland

I would be most grateful for any assistance.

Thank you.

David

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Hello Duncan

Three of the men I'm researching from Chailey (Sussex) served in the RNAS.  I have next to nothing on them so anything you can add will be much appreciated.

AM L H Beal (mentioned in the local Parish magazine as serving between March 1916 and December 1917)

Leading Mechanic Stephen King (ditto September 1915 to July 1919)

AM Harry Urry (ditto August 1915 to November 1916)

Best wishes

Paul

Hi Paul

King Stephen, Air Mechanic 1st Class F7058

Enlisted 29th July 1915

An airship rigger

Became Air Mechanic 1st Class [RAF] 1st April 1918 Off No 207058

No trace of him being a Leading Mechanic

Nothing known of his service in RAF

Urry,Henry James, Air Mechanic 1st Class F5127

Enlisted 28th May 1915

A driver RNAS

Became Air Mechanic 1st Class [RAF] 1st April 1918 Off No 205127

A driver (petrol) RAF

Nothing known of his service in RAF

Driver (petrol) RAF

Beal,L.H. or Beale,L.H. no trace.

It may be that he was attached to the RNAS but was never formally transferred from the RN. It was possible that he was indeed rated as an Air Mechanic, but still officially an RN rating. If he was serving with the RNAS on 1st April 1918 he would have automatically been transferred to the RAF but in a series of numbers which were not listed in the RAF Muster List. I am at present slowly working through this other unpublished list but it will probably take at least ten days in the NA to sort out

this list.

If you have any info on any of these men I would be happy to add this to my list

Regards

Duncan

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Duncan,

It is very kind of you to offer look-ups.  I am keen to discover more about:

SURNAME: Pearson                       

C/NAMES: William G.                   

DOB: 8/91                             

UNIT: RNAS Russian Armoured Cars

DATE OF DEATH: 1/7/17                 

AGE AT DEATH: 26                 

RANK: PO Mech

NUMBER: F/10058             

MEMORIAL: Poznan, Poland                   

I would be most grateful for any assistance.

Thank you.

David

Hi David

Pearson,William George PO Mechanic F10058

Enlisted 16th November 1915

Born Huckfield cum Wilton, Norfolk on 21st August 1891

Killed by artillery fire at Brzezany, Russia on 1st July 1917

He is mentioned in the following sources

The Czar's British Squadron: page 119

Airmen Died in the Great War: pages 11,221,325

Ratings Died in the service if the RN, RNR, RNVR, RNAS and RAF 1914-1919: page 290

Although he is not mentioned in them the reports submitted to the Admiralty by the Commander of the Russian Armoured Car Squadron, Oliver Locker-Lamson are held by the Fleet Air Arm Museum. They include an eye witness account of the Petrograd revolution and descriptions of the members of the Russian Court. This includes Rasputin, with an account of his death.

Regards

Duncan

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Duncan

Thanks very much for the additional information supplied on the names I gave you. I can add little except that they were just three of around 360 names recorded in Chailey's Parish magazine during the First World War. The information is not always accurate but in the absence of surviving army service records for the majority, gives at least something to go on.

The three men would have had connections with Chailey parish; either living in Chailey or one of the villages close by, working there or having been born there. As I uncover more information I'll certainly pass it on to you.

Best wishes and thanks again.

Paul

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Duncan,

Thank you very much for looking up PEARSON. I knew some of the material, and have read the relevant section of The Czar's British Squadron. But I didn't know that he came from Hockwold cum Wilton, nor when he enlisted - so very many thanks for those gems. Your source gives Huckfield cum Wilton but that must be a corruption of Hockwold cum Wilton.

Thanks again.

David

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Duncan

Here's the information I have on the three Chailey men you supplied additional data for.

In each case I list the information as it first appears in Chailey's Parish Magazine, additions/amends to that infomation as the war progressed, plus the final entry. I'm guessing information was supplied to the vicar by relatives.

Best wishes

Paul

Chailey Parish Magazine – Harry Urry

August 1915

Harry Urry [Noted as serving King & Country]

October 1915

Urry, Pte H, AM Aero Wing, Dardanelles

November 1915

Urry, H, AM RNAS, Dardanelles

August 1916

Urry, H, AM RNAS, Dardanelles. Wounded.

November 1916 [Final entry]

Urry, H, AM RNAS, Dardanelles

Chailey Parish Magazine – Stephen King

September 1915

Stephen King [Noted as serving King & Country]

April 1916

King, S AM, RNAS, England

September 1918

King, S, Leading Mechanic, RNAS

July 1919 [Final entry]

King, S, Leading Mechanic, RNAS

Chailey Parish Magazine – L H Beal

March 1916

Beal

April 1916

Beal L H, AM, RNAS

May 1916

Beal L H, AM, RNAS, England

December 1916

Beal L H, AM, RNAS

December 1917 [Final entry]

Beal L H, AM, RNAS

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Hi Jamie

The only likely Grout I have is Sydney Armstrong, Aircraftsman 2nd Class F22547

Enlisted 24th October 1916

Born Troubridge, Kent on 20th June 1882

Left RNAS date unknown but prior to 1st April 1918

All I have at present but I may be able to add to this if you send me a further query in about 3 weeks time

Regards

Duncan

Duncan,

Thanks

Jamie

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  • 1 month later...

Hi

On my local Roll of Honour there is the following "elusive" Officer

Probationary Flight Officer; G,W,R, BEACHER. RN. I have been unable to locate him, hope ypu can help

Peter

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Hi

  On my local Roll of Honour there is the following "elusive" Officer

Probationary Flight Officer; G,W,R, BEACHER. RN. I have been unable to locate him, hope ypu can help

Peter

George William Randolph Beacher

Born 13th October 1899 place unknown

Connections with Ripon

Entered the RNAS as a Probationary Flight Officer on 15th October 1917

At Roehampton 15th October 1917 to 7th February 1918

Appointment terminated 08February 1918

He is listed in Flight Magazine of 18th October 1917 as being appointed PFO

Nothing further known

His period at Roehampton would suggest he was being trained for airship or balloon work, but proved unsuitable for some reason. If you later do manage to find out anything more on this man I would appreciate the information

Hope this helps. Duncan

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Hello Duncan,

I would appreciate a check please:-

F18940 AM2 P Hedger

Flt.S.Lt AW Archer

Thank you.

Stuart

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Duncan,

On 25 April 1915 troops landed from the 'SS River Clyde' at 'V' Beach, Gallipoli, Turkey. Machine guns on the ship were manned by men of the RNAS Armoured Car Section, under the command of J.C. Wedgewood, who was a member of parliament.

I would be very grateful for any information you might be able to give me on Wedgewood and -- if you are in a position to do so -- any of the RNAS men who were on the "River Clyde".

Kind regards,

Philip

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Hello Duncan,

I would appreciate a check please:-

F18940  AM2  P Hedger

Flt.S.Lt AW  Archer

Thank you.

Stuart

Alfred William Archer

Born Oliston, Derbys. on 6th October 1895

Connections with Etwall, Derbys.

Enlisted in RNAS 13th November 1914 as a PO Mechanic F920

For service in Armoured Cars, believed as a motor cyclist

Reverted to Air Mech 1st Class on disbandment of Armoured Cars as a general mechanic

Served at Galliploi but no details known

Appointed Flt Sub Lt 29th November 1917

At Greenwich 29th Nov 1917 - 26th Oct 1917

At Vendome 27th Nov 1917 - 1st Mar 1918

At Manston 2nd Mar1918 - 21st Mar 1918

At Dunkirk 22nd Mar 1918 - RAF career not yet researched

Injured 26th Apr 1918

Philip Hedger

Enlisted in RNAS as a Boy Mech F18940 date unknown but probably Aug1916

Rated Air Mech 2nd class 27th Jun 1917 (presumeably on his 18th birthday)

Rated Air Mech 3rd class 1st Apr 1918 with RAF number 218940

No further details known

If uyou find out any further info it would be appreciated

Regards Duncan

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Alfred William Archer

Philip Hedger

Hello Duncan,

That is superb, thank you so much.

Anything further on either of them I will PM to you.

You probably have this but I came across Vendome in regard to a different enquiry. "A Flying School was opened by the R. N. A. S. at Vendome in November, 1916, and gradually expanded; the choice of the site was dictated by the fact that the winter weather in Central France is more suitable for flying training than it is in England."

Regards

Stuart

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George William Randolph Beacher

Born 13th October 1899 place unknown

Connections with Ripon

Entered the RNAS as a Probationary Flight Officer on 15th October 1917

At Roehampton 15th October 1917 to 7th February 1918

Appointment terminated 08February 1918

He is listed in Flight Magazine of 18th October 1917 as being appointed PFO

Nothing further known

His period at Roehampton would suggest he was being trained for airship or balloon work, but proved unsuitable for some reason. If you later do manage to find out anything more on this man I would appreciate the information

Hope this helps. Duncan

Duncan

Many thanks for the info, Now I just need to find when he died. Will let you know of any outcome

Peter

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Duncan,

On 25 April 1915 troops landed from the 'SS River Clyde' at 'V' Beach, Gallipoli, Turkey.  Machine guns on the ship were manned by men of the RNAS Armoured Car Section, under the command of J.C. Wedgewood, who was a member of parliament.

I would be very grateful for any information you might be able to give me on Wedgewood and -- if you are in a position to do so -- any of the RNAS men who were on the "River Clyde".

Kind regards,

Philip

Helloh Philip

Wedgewood,George Josiah Clement

Born 16th March 1872 place not known

LCdr [RNVR]

CO of No 3 Armoured Car Squadron 1914 - 1915

In charge of Detachment on SS River Clyde

Took part in rescue work arround River Clyde during landings

Wounded in action 9th May 1915

In action Krithia in support of 29th Division 28th April 1915 with his men

DSO gazetted 8th November 1918 for Gallipoli

MID 20th Nov 1914 and 5th August 1915

Died 26th July 1943

Transferred to Army date not known

The only men of No 3 ACS I can identify are the award winners for their work during the landings. Both were awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.( A very rare award) They were

Rumming,Geoffrey Charlton Paine, PO Mech F813

Born Purton, West Swindon on 2nd December 1888

Enlisted 27th October 1914

Wounded near Krithia June 1915 and died as a result on 4th November 1917

CGM gazetted 16th August 1915

Russell,John Hepburn PO Mech F839

Born Langside Glasgow on 11th November 1888

Enlisted 28th October 1914 as a motor cyclist with Armoured Cars

Wounded in rescue attempts arround River Clyde 25th April 1915

Transferred to RFC November 1916

Killed in mid air collision 12th November 1917

CGM gazetted 16th August 1915

Sorry thats all I can manage. If you have any extra facts I would appreciate them

Regards Duncan

Believe he also served in the South African Infantry

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Many thanks Duncan,

I am very grateful.

Kind regards,

Philip

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Hi Duncan,

Would you be kind enough to see what you have regarding my father, Flt. Sub-Lt. Arthur Strachan INCE, DSC, subsequently Sub-Lt. RNVR and Capt. RAF.

Thanks in advance,

Bill

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Hi Duncan,

Would you be kind enough to see what you have regarding my father, Flt. Sub-Lt. Arthur Strachan INCE, DSC, subsequently Sub-Lt. RNVR and Capt. RAF.

Thanks in advance,

Bill

Hello Bill

Arthur Strachan Ince

Born 31st October 1892

Connections with Toronto

Trained at Curtis Flying School, Toronto prior to RNAS service

Pilots Licence number not known

Presumed that he entered the RNAS in UK and not in Canada

FLt Sub Lt 13th July 1915

At Chingford 13th Jul 1915 - 10th Sep 1915

At Dover 11th Sep 1915 - 2nd Feb 1916

At White City 3rd Feb 1916 - 24th May 1916

At Eastchurch 25th May 1916 - 4th Jun 1916

At Calshot 1916 - 31st Mar1918

RAF details not yet researched from 1st April 1918 onwards

Served as an armament officer when an RNVR Officer

Sub Lt RNVR from 3rd Feb 1916

Promoted Lt RNVR 31st Dec 1916

Capt RAF 1st April 1918

Flew as observer with Flt Lt H.E.Cramford in BE2c 996 which crashed on landing on 25th Sep 1915 - location not known but based at Dover

Flew as observer with Flt Sub Lt C.W. Graham on defensive patrol Whistle Buoy Area near Dunkirk 14th Dec 1915 in Nieuport 10 No.3971. Crew rescued by SS Balmoral Castle

Shot down two-seater seaplane on above patrol and then ditched NE of La Panne

DSC gazetted 24th Feb 1916 for the above action

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Hello Bill

Arthur Strachan Ince

Born 31st October 1892

Connections with Toronto

Trained at Curtis Flying School, Toronto prior to RNAS service

Pilots Licence number not known

Presumed that he entered the RNAS in UK and not in Canada

FLt Sub Lt 13th July 1915

At Chingford 13th Jul 1915 - 10th Sep 1915

At Dover 11th Sep 1915 - 2nd Feb 1916

At White City 3rd Feb 1916 - 24th May 1916

At Eastchurch 25th May 1916 - 4th Jun 1916

At Calshot 1916 - 31st Mar1918

RAF details not yet researched from 1st April 1918 onwards

Served as an armament officer when an RNVR Officer

Sub Lt RNVR from 3rd Feb 1916

Promoted Lt RNVR 31st Dec 1916

Capt RAF 1st April 1918

Flew as observer with Flt Lt H.E.Cramford in BE2c 996 which crashed on landing on 25th Sep 1915 - location not known but based at Dover

Flew as observer with Flt Sub Lt C.W. Graham on defensive patrol Whistle Buoy Area near Dunkirk 14th Dec 1915 in Nieuport 10 No.3971. Crew rescued by SS Balmoral Castle

Shot down two-seater seaplane on above patrol and then ditched NE of La Panne

DSC gazetted 24th Feb 1916 for the above action

Sorry Bill I was a bit previous with hitting the send button. You might be interested in the fact that a Book is at present being researched on the subject of Canadian RNAS men. The researcher is a Captain J. Allan Snowie who works for Air Canada.

I have his e-mail address if you e-mail me.

If you can unearth any further info on your father I would appreciate a copy to add to my database.

Regards Duncan

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  • 3 weeks later...
Duncan,

On 25 April 1915 troops landed from the 'SS River Clyde' at 'V' Beach, Gallipoli, Turkey.  Machine guns on the ship were manned by men of the RNAS Armoured Car Section, under the command of J.C. Wedgewood, who was a member of parliament.

I would be very grateful for any information you might be able to give me on Wedgewood and -- if you are in a position to do so -- any of the RNAS men who were on the "River Clyde".

Kind regards,

Philip

Hi Philip

I've just found a note giving the numbers of RNAS men on the Clyde, but unfortunately I cant find the reference.

Apart from Wedgewood, there were four officers plus one Surgeon and 72 ratings. I don't know if that is any help to you but you might as well have it

Regards Duncan

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  • 8 months later...

I have information of virtually all men of the Royal Naval Air Service. This info varies from full name/official number up to very much more. These men would include attached RNVR officers and I am at present working on men of the RNVR Anti Aircraft Corps of the RNAS.

Hi,

I have a Group of 13 Medals to a Air Vice Marshal Charles William Nutting CB OBE DSC who was awarded a DSC whilst serving with the RNAS at Dunkirk in 1915-16, can you tell me anything about what he might have been doing, his entry for the DSC says for Observation & Communication, he was in the RNVR.

Regards

Bryan

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Available at Kew is ADM 116/1717 Record of Service Ratings with Russian Armoured Cars 1916-1924

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RNAS ratings service registers are included in the ADM 188 Registers of Seamen's Services now available online, but the details they give are very basic!

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  • 1 month later...

Hi Bryan,

Sorry I,ve been very slow in replying to your query re C.W.Nutting.

I have him as a w/t officer at Dunkirk at the relevant time. He then went on to be involved in w/t work in aircraft in HMS Riviera at about the end of 1916. He was promoted to Lt [RNVR] on 31Dec1917.He would appear to have continued in the RAF being promoted to Group Captain on 1st Jan 1933 but I have no further details of his RAF service.

Regards Duncan

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi

Do you have anything on this man

f14680 E.L.S Neave AC1 RNAS

any info gratefully rxed

Cheers

Perce :lol:

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