20 sqdrn RFC

[Adrian.holland2@btinternet.com]

Can anybody help with some details on this ace ?

Many thanks.

[Dolphin]

There's an outline of Capt H G E Luchford's career at http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/luchford.php

I hope that this helps you.

Gareth

[Stebie9173]

His obituary from the Times 27-4-1918

Steve.

[Lorraine CJ]

Harry Luchford was Flight Commander in 1917, during the time my great-grandfather (Thomas Colvill-Jones) was in 20 Squadron. He writes about Harry in his letters, which I'm hoping to get published soon. Here is some extra information you might find useful:

Harry George Ernest Luchford was a bank clerk in civilian life, and joined 20 Squadron in June 1917. He became Flight Commander in September 1917. He was KIA on 2nd December 1917, and is buried in Arras, Pas de Calais, France.

18th October1 917: NOP led by Harry Luchford. According to the Squadron Record Book: “Seven enemy aircraft were encountered over Gheluvelt at 4.10 pm, and B1139 (Colvill-Jones and Phelps) shot one down. It was seen to crash by ‘H’ Battery (a British Anti-Aircraft battery in the Salient). Captain Luchford unfortunately broke his trigger-bar and returned early. Considerable haze made observations very difficult.”

2nd December 1917 saw Tommy Colvill-Jones up on another NOP in ‘B1122’ with Captain Speakman as his observer. The patrol was led by Captain Luchford, with Captain Johnson as his observer, and set off at 9.30 am. The Record Book recorded: “Ground movement below normal. Enemy Aircraft activity above normal. Visibility poor. 2/Lt. Colvill-Jones was badly shot up and forced to land (SW of Ypres). Captain Luchford is missing. 2/Lt Beaver and Air Mechanic Mather drove down one EA which was seen to crash by 60 Squadron.”

The above fight took place in the Passchendaele area, and Harry Luchford had been killed. His observer was taken prisoner.

[Stebie9173]

MC:

Announced, LG 27-10-1917

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType=

Citation, LG 18-3-1918

T./Lt. Harry George Ernest Luchford, Gen. List and R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has carried out a great deal of extremely useful work, and has proved himself a capable and determined leader. On one occasion when on a photographic reconnaissance he and his observer shot down and destroyed two enemy scouts. He has destroyed five other hostile machines.

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType=

MC Bar:

Announced, LG 26-11-1917

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType=

Citation, LG 6-4-1918

T./Capt. Harry George Ernest Luchford, M.C., Genl. List and R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When engaged on a patrol, he and his observer encountered about fifteen hostile aeroplanes, and shot one of them down in flames. Later, when engaged in a reconnaissance with three other machines, he encountered eight hostile, aeroplanes and shot one of them down. On another occasion he

destroyed one of three hostile scouts which were attacking one of our machines, and also shot down a hostile two-seater.

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType=

Steve.

[Stebie9173]

Commission:

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType=

Lieutenant:

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType=

Flight Commander:

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType=

Steve.

[Adrian.holland2@btinternet.com]

Many thanks Guys,info very much appreciated.

Lampwick

[timhog]

Lampwick.

He is in RFC Communiques 1917-1918, and The Sky Their Battlefield.

Tim.