stevenbecker Posted 20 January , 2008 Share Posted 20 January , 2008 Mates, What can you tell me about this mans death. He is listed as 2 Sqn AFC but I couldn't find his name on the AIF list of dead? He was commissioned in to the Kings Royal Rifle Corps in Nov 1915 from the AIF but served in 1 Sqn (67 Sqn) AFC and won a MC and was reported DoA or KIFA with 2 Sqn AFC in the UK. The CWGC shows he was buried in the Harlaxton (SS. Mary and Peter) Churchyard, but not where this place is? is Harlaxton a place and where is it in the UK? Can you give any details of the accident that took this mans life, was it an aircraft crash or some other? Thanks for any details S.B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolphin Posted 20 January , 2008 Share Posted 20 January , 2008 Steve Capt S K Muir MC of No 68 (Australian) Sqn RFC (formerly Australian Light Horse) was killed in an accident when flying DH 5 A9275 on 12 September 1917. Harlaxton is the place in Lincolnshire where No 68 Sqn [later No 2 Sqn AFC] was formed in January 1917. I hope that this helps. Gareth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frev Posted 20 January , 2008 Share Posted 20 January , 2008 Hi Steve Following is a copy of his obituary from "War Services Old Melburnians 1914-1918" STANLEY KEITH MUIR who was killed in England on 12th September 1917 as the result of an aeroplane accident was the son of Mr. J. F. Muir. He was born in 1894 and was at the School in 1907 but left owing to illness, which eventually developed into hip disease. He was for six months on his back and another six months on crutches, but gradually grew out of his trouble, and after a long sojourn on Gulpha Station in Riverina was completely cured. He was a wellknown amateur rider at picnic races in the Deniliquin district, and was a very fine horseman. He enlisted in the 4th Light Horse, was all through the Gallipoli campaign (though illness kept him back from the Landing), was wounded at Lone Pine and invalided to England. He was there given a commission in the King's Royal Rifles, but soon transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, and obtaining his wings in May 1916 was sent to Egypt to instruct an Australian flying squadron. He carried out single-handed the great Baghdad railway flight. He flew 600 miles without a stop in 61 hours, and bombed the railway line, and was highly commended for work at El Arish. He was attacked by three German aeroplanes. He brought down one and pursued the others over the Dead Sea till his petrol gave out. For these feats he was awarded the Military Cross. He returned to England and was about to leave for the West front when the fatal accident occurred. He had been in the air for about twenty minutes, and was about to take his swoop for the hangar when one of the wings snapped and he fell 500 feet and was killed instantly. He was regarded as one of the six best flyers in the British Army and was noted for his "stunts." A comrade writing of him says: "Our crowd were all broken up over his death, for he was white to the soles of his feet." Major Oswald Watt, writing to his father, says : "His sad death deprives the flying service of one they can ill afford to lose. Never was an officer more truly mourned by his fellow-officers or by his men." Cheers, Frev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenbecker Posted 20 January , 2008 Author Share Posted 20 January , 2008 Mates, Thank you so much. That helps a lot. Frev Nice little bit on him. I did notice the raid on the rail bridge over the Waddi Ghuzze on the 22 Dec was by four 1 Sqn AFC planes (Martinsydes) and two (possible 14 Sqn) planes as escort. They were attacked by four Germans and Muir forced one down no mention of this as a Kill (can you confirm?) but the force lost one RFC plane was lost (no names mentioned?) and a Martinsyde flown by a pilot named Jones? (Capt Allan Jones MC & bar DFC & bar) was damaged. Cheers S.B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killratio Posted 24 January , 2008 Share Posted 24 January , 2008 Steve, IIRC I have a photo of Stan Muir's crash along with him sitting in the aircraft shortly before. There are full details in the article. I can have a look tonight. Darryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenbecker Posted 25 January , 2008 Author Share Posted 25 January , 2008 Mate, Thanks so much, yes that would be very nice Cheers S.B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killratio Posted 25 January , 2008 Share Posted 25 January , 2008 Steve, I checked "Highest Traditions" (2AFC) and "One Airman's War" (1AFC) along with half a dozen other books I have. I've come to the conclusion that it was in a C&C and I will check all the indicies over this weekend. Muir was apparently an exceptional pilot and IIRC had a large audiance to his last flight. I will find the article. Darryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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