William Basil FRYER died 26.12.16.

[GraemeClarke]

Hi,

Seeking help on:

William Basil FRYER

Second Lieutenant

Royal Flying Corps

(and 3/5th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment).

Died in Egypt on Tuesday 26 December 1916

William was ‘accidentally killed’ when the aircraft he was flying had an engine failure and fell to earth. He was 22 years of age and is buried in Alexandria (Hadra) War Cemetery in Grave B.7.

Can anyone help me with any more details, please or the type of a/c etc.

many thanks

Graeme

[Dolphin]

Graeme

2Lt W B Fryer of No 22 Reserve Squadron was killed when flying in Curtiss JN-3 7331. Lt N R S Humphrey was also on board the aeroplane, but was uninjured.

I hope this helps you.

Gareth

[GraemeClarke]

Gareth,

many thanks fornthe reply.

Graeme

[mickdavis]

7311 was one of the Canadian-built JN3s that were transferred from the RNAS to the RFC. The RNAS didn't rate them as highly as American-built JN3s, considering them to be of inferior construction - possibly the reason for their tranfer. Four of those received by the RFC went to Egypt as training machines. 7311's known history is given below - I have the passenger injured.

7311 Allotted to Middle East 29.10.1915. 14 Sqn Ismailia. 1 Sqn AFC Heliopolis dd ex 14 Sqn 4.6.1916. X AP Kantara ex 1 Sqn AFC 13.6.1916. 22 TS Aboukir and crashed 26.12.1916 (2Lt WB Fryer KIFA/Lt NRS Humphrey IIFA).

[GraemeClarke]

Mick,

Many thanks for that, so much information !!

In case you or anyone else is interested below is his bio.

The only son of Frank and Annie Fryer of 107, High Street, Bloxwich, William was educated at the Bloxwich National School and obtained a scholarship to Queen Mary’s School where he was a member of the Officer Training Corps. Upon completing his education he was articled to Mr G.F. Cornhill, a chemist in Stafford Street and later employed by a firm of chemists in Wolverhampton.

At the outbreak of war he was employed by Deighton and Smith, Chemist of Bridgnorth, and enlisted in the South Staffordshire Regiment. At the time of his death he was attached to the Royal Flying Corps.

William was ‘accidentally killed’ when the aircraft he was flying had an engine failure and fell to earth. He was 22 years of age and is buried in Alexandria (Hadra) War Cemetery in Grave B.7. William is also commemorated on Bloxwich and Queen Mary’s School rolls of honour.

Once again, thanks

Regards,

Graeme