Second Lieutenant Frederick William McLean - RFC - Died 14/061917

[Guest Harry Edmonds]

Second Lieutenant Frederick William McLean - Royal Flying Corps

I am trying to find information about my great-uncle who is buried in Avesnes-Le-Comte Communal Cemetery Extension. Royal Flying Corps. Died 14/06/1917. Any assistance much appreciated.

[Dolphin]

Harry

Welcome to the Forum!

2Lt Frederick William MacLean of No 29 Sqn RFC, from Portsoy, Banff, died on 14 June 1917 from injuries received on 13 June when he crashed while flying Nieuport Scout (probably a Nieuport 17) B1671. He was aged 23 at the time of his death. It appears that he was commissioned directly into the RFC.

I hope that this is useful.

Gareth

[Starlight]

Hi Harry,

Just a little more info for you. Your great uncle was flying a Nieuport 17 (#29 were fully re-equiped with these from the DH2 by the 21st March 1917) from his aerodrome at Izel-le-Hameau. According to the history of #29, ". . . 2/Lt F W Maclean died in the wreckage of his Nieuport after a faulty take-off" and his is lisetd as an accidental death. Incidentally #29 squadron was J T B McCudden's first posting in a flying capacity and where he achieved the first of his 57 victories (3 destroyed, 1 Out of Control and 1 Shared) in a DH2 before being awarded the MC and posted to England on 23rd February 1917.

Regards

Steve

[SteveE]

Harry

His appointment as Flying Officer, from the London Gazette#30034, dated 25th April 1917.

ROYAL FLYING CORPS.

Mil. Wing.- The undermentioned appts. are made:

Flying Officers.

29th Mar. 1917.

2nd Lt. G. M. Carter, R. War. R., and to be secd.

2nd Lt. (on prob.) F. E. Barker, Yeo.T.F., and to be secd.

Temp. 2nd Lt. (on prob.) F. W. Maclean, Gen. List.

2nd Lt. (temp. Lt.) W. L. S. Keith-Jopp, Rif. Brig., T.F., and to be secd.

Temp. 2nd Lt. A. L. Messenger, Gen. List.

Link to Gazette is Here

Hope this helps.

Steve

[Guest Harry Edmonds]

Thank you so much. This is fascinating information. Can you suggest any other sources I might explore? Many thanks, Harry