Cpt. J.T.P. Whittaker 9 Squadron RFC

[Manitoba]

Does anyone know anything about this RFC pilot?

[john-g]

Manitoba

A couple of years ago I eventually made contact with Wittakers daughter, my interest in him is because he was c.o. of 66 Squadron through most of 1918.

He was born on 20 February 1894 in Lewisham London, his father was Slate Quarry owner at one time in North Wales. He attended Felstead School. Sometime before 1914 he followed his elder brother Roger D'Arcy who might have been a railway engineer with Canadan Pacific to Canada and was studying Law, where I do not know. He was a member of the 103 Rifles Calgary Sgt 30312. He returned to the UK possibly to 3Bn Grenider Guards, and definatley the R.A.S.C serving 5 months in France. This was not to his liking and he joined the RFC in November 1915 at Catterick, posted to 6 RS. He took his Royal Aero Club Certificate No 2318 on 17 January 1916 at Catterick on a Maurice Farman. His postings after that are. 25/10/16 B sqn (Montrose), 05/03/16 6 RS Catterick, 17/03/16 9 Sqn France, 23/03/16 wounded 20/07/16 4 Sqn, 25/08/16 wounded (flying accident with 2/Lt TEG Scaife), sick leave until 02/02/17, 05/03/17 54 RS Hounslow, 06/02/18 66 Sqn Italy, 11/08/18 TDY 14 Wing Italy, 21/08/18 66 Sqn, 05/09/18 14 Wing TDY, 27/09/18 66 Sqn, to HE 07/10/18, 04/11/18 Dof I ?, 2 FS, 20/11/18 14 Wing, 22/01/19 HQ RAF 14 Wing, 08/04/18 HQ RAF UK, 22/04/18 Italy, 03/05/19 HQ BEF (France?), 26/05/19 1 AACP, 22/09/19 Germany ?, by 16/01/20 had returned to HE, 01/02/22 100 sqn, 07/03/22 28 sqn C.O., 18/07/22 Ill to RAF Depot, 18/09/22 HQ 12 Wing, 11/10/22 CO 12 Wing, 16/09/27 CO 28 sqn. Died in India Appendicitis on 12/12/1927. He is buried in Bombay, I have photos of his grave taken shortly after his burial and one taken about a year ago. He married kathleen M Finlay 29/01/24 they had one child a daughter. I think he may have been at the CFS at one time? Hope this helps.

john_g