Reginald Leslie Gordon White

[Matthew King]

I was wondering if any one could give me any information or point me in the direction of any good sources of information on my Grandfather.

His name was Reginald Leslie Gordon White and he serve in the Royal Flying Corp in the First World War. He was born on the 19th November 1899 and lied about his age when he joined. He served as an observer and I believe he was shot down twice.

He was awarded the Medaille Militaire and the Croiux De Guerre Avec Palms.

Any information would be gratefully appiciated as I am hoping to created a website dedicated to his memory.

Thanks

Matthew King

[MikeW]

Sgt RLG White of No.48 Squadron RAF.

31st August 1918 - Flying Bristol F2b serial E2469 with his pilot 2Lt JB Cowan, crashed after an offensive patrol at Elverdinghe - forced to land after taking a hit by anti-aircraft fire.

1st October 1918 - flying Bristol F2b serial E2531 with his pilot Lt EC Shurley, shot up during combat on an offensive patrol to Menin. Both OK.

25th October 1918 - flying Bristol F2b serial E2534 with his pilot 2Lt G Thorneton-Norris, Forced to land at Deerlyck at 2.45pm due to anti-aircraft fire. Both OK.

Mike

[Matthew King]

Wow thanks for the quick answer. Out of interest where did you find the information?

All I had to go on are the stories my mum and uncle have told me.

Thanks again.

[MikeW]

Sorry Matthew, the source was "The Sky Their Battlefield" by Trevor Henshaw, published by Grub Street - it's currently available "remaindered" at about £20 and was a bargain at its original price of £40.

It basically lists (or tries to list) all allied aerial casualties of the Great War.

Mike

[Matthew King]

Thanks Mike

I was wondering if you could you please look up another entry for me. One of the pilots my Grandfather flew with was killed a month later. You couldn't tell me if there is any details of his crash?

Name: COWAN, JAMES BASIL

Initials: J B

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Lieutenant

Regiment: Royal Air Force

Unit Text: 48th Sqdn.

Age: 24

Date of Death: 03/10/1918

Thank you.

Matt

Also this is a bit of a wild shot, but seeing the results this forum gets I should give it a try, my mum says that my Grandfather was interview in the 70s about his experiences during the war for a magazine. Does anyone possibly have the article, sorry I don't know the name of the magazine but my mum is pretty sure it was a specialist magazine. His deatils are

Reginald Leslie Gordon White

Observer for 48th Squadron

Thanks for any help

[John_Hartley]

Matt

Cowan's fatal crash is also noted Sky their Battlefield. He was flying an offensive patrol in his Bristol F2b (E2523), with Lt L N Jones as observer. He was seen near Ingelmunster about 5.30pm and believed to have engaged enemy aircraft there at 6.30. Jones was also killed

(The difference in times is probably due to the one hour difference between British and German times)

John

[Guest TrevorH]

Matthew,

There was an excellent squadron history for 48 RFC/RAF in the American journal "Over The Front" magazine several years ago - it would be worth tracking down if you do not know it. I don't have the precise Number to hand, but if you want I can look it up.

Regards,

Trevor

[Matthew King]

Thanks.

Someone has suggested that journal to me recently on another forum and I have managed to order a copy of it. Looking forward to reading it when it arrives.

Matt