Seaplane Crash 21st June 1918 - Newhaven Harbour

[chrisharley9]

Reference: COR/1/3/719

Creation dates: 22 Jun 1918

KITCHEN

Scope and Content

John Frederick Raymond, Flight Lt RAF, Bishopstone Seaplane Station, from Holmwood, Boars Hill, Oxford, 19; burns and drowning through seaplane he was piloting striking Newhaven breakwater, misadventure (see COR/1/3/720)

Reference: COR/1/3/720

Creation dates: 22 Jun 1918

COLE

Scope and Content

George, Flight Lt RAF, Monksdown, Bishopstone, 26; burns and drowning through seaplane he was observer in striking Newhaven breakwater, misadventure; papers with COR/1/3/719

Can any pal fill in some details for me please - yet more for the E Sussex Coroners details - both are listed by CWGC

Chris

[Dolphin]

Chris

This isn't much, but it might help. The airmen were flying in Short 184 N1685 from Newhaven Seaplane Station when they were killed in the accident.

Regards

Gareth

[Terry Denham]

Here he is in Newhaven Cemetery

And again (Notice spelling - KITCHIN)

[Terry Denham]

And Cole with a similar gravestone next to him

[Terry Denham]

And again

[chrisharley9]

Chris

This isn't much, but it might help. The airmen were flying in Short 184 N1685 from Newhaven Seaplane Station when they were killed in the accident.

Regards

Gareth

Gareth

my thanks - every little helps

Chris

Terry

wonderfull photos - thanks for sharing them

Chris

[timhog]

From A Short History of a local Seaplane Station by Peter Fellows.

The following day there was a fresh south westerly wind blowing, which meant takeing off in the lee of the harbour wall. Lt Kitchen twice tried to unstick from the water, but each time had to abort as the harbour wall came perilously close. By the third attempt all the pilots and observers on shore watched anxiously as he eventually got off the water, but far too close to the wall. Kitchen had barely enough flying speed and the Short 184 did not rise. The crew had no chance and must have known that a crash was inevitable. They both died.

Tim

ps War Birds, The Diary of an Unknown Aviator by Elliott White Springs page39, "Roy Garver was killed on an Avro the day before yesterday" ........ at Eastbourne???

[per ardua per mare per terram]

This is the spelling used by the Admiralty: ADM 273/10 Page 283: John Frederick Raymond Kitchin. RNAS Officers Service

ADM 273/15 Page 115: George Cole. RNAS Officers Service

[Ian - Sussex]

Just to add to this story, take a look at the two photo's top right in the photo gallery on this website........

http://www.climb-out.co.uk/Henryrossalderson.html

Thanks to evryone who responsed to my original query about this incident.

[chrisharley9]

Ian

thanks for the link

Chris