RAF Fatalities 1930

[HughAHalliday]

A tribute to the thoroughness of AEROPLANE coverage. Nevertheless, some puzzles remain - see GLOVER (14 April 1930), CHARLESWORTH (5 May 1930), VILLIERS (7 June 1930), MILLAR (3 August 1930), WOODLAND (18 August 1930), MINNS (9 October 1930), NESBIT (13 October 1930), WHITTOME (22 October 1930), CROSBIE (2 December 1930).

Also interesting are the cases of cases of STROUD and WILTSHIRE (17 May 1930) and SAWYER (6 August 1930).

Additions (particularly re serials, circumstances) welcomed.

PEARSON, Charles Alfred, F/O - Died 1 January 1930

GREENSLADE, Richard Samuel, F/L - Killed 8 January 1930 at No.4 Flying Training School, Abu Sueir, flying accident, collision of Avro 504N J8718 and Avro 504N J8981.

CHILMAN, William Henry, Corporal - Killed 8 January 1930 at No.4 Flying Training School, Abu Sueir, flying accident, collision of Avro 504N J8718 and Avro 504N J8981.

GREEN, Leonard Vincent, LAC - Killed 8 January 1930 at No.4 Flying Training School, Abu Sueir, flying accident.

GALPIN, Charles Edson, F/O - Killed 8 January 1930 at No.4 Flying Training School, Abu Sueir, flying accident.

GALE, Robert Charles Cave, P/O, RAFO - Died 14 January 1930

MACKENZIE, Donald, F/O - Killed 21 January 1930 near Sudbury, Suffolk, in a Fairey machine of No.207 (Bomber) Squadron.

BARNARD, Leonard Edward, Corporal (361666) - Killed 21 January 1930 near Sudbury, Suffolk, in a Fairey machine of No.207 (Bomber) Squadron.

EVANS, Charles Henry Lee, F/O - Died 21 January 1930 at Heliopolis. Had gone to No.6 (Army Cooperation) Squadron, Iraq in September 1927.

FELL, Cecil Alfred Arthur, Sergeant (350944) - Killed 13 February 1930 in a Siskin of No.32 (Fighter) Squadron. “An inquest was held at Kenley on February 17 on the body of Sergeant Fell, who was killed on Febriary 13 in a flying accident. Sergeant King said he saw Sergeant Fell flying towards him in a two-seater Siskin about 20 feet from the ground. The parachute in the rear cockpit was strapped in to the satisfaction of Sergeant Fell. Asked of the parachute could become mixed up with the control, Sergeant King said that depended on chance. F/L Trench said he saw Sergeant Fell flying round and round and though that something was jamming his control in the back sear. The speaker flew up alongside him and made signs to him to perform certain evolutions which would drop the parachute out of the back seat. Sergeant Fell tied to loop but failed. Sergeant Fell finally made signs that he was going to jump and followed the speaker to a height of about 6,000 feet. Suddenly Sergeant Fell left the other machine and dived down to about 4,000 feet. Then the machine went out of control and Sergeant Fell left his machine with his parachute. F/L Trench said that he landed and motored to the spot where the machine fell. He found that Fell had not pulled the parachute cord. The control had been jammed by something which might have been a parachute or a cap. Dr W. Stalker said that he thought that the strain had caused Fell to lose control of his mental facilities. That would account for his not pulling the cord of his parachute.” Aeroplane, 26 February 1930.

DOWNEY, Frederick Benson Shearn, F/O - Died 27 February 1930

WALKER, Frederick Benjamin Goddard, F/O - Died 11 March 1930 at Officer’s Hospital, Uxbridge, of pleurisy and pneumonia. Had been on staff of the Depot since February 1929.

WHITE, Ernest Richard, F/O - Killed 24 March 1930 at Worthy Down following night flight, No.58 Squadron, Vickers Virginia. He was second pilot. The pilot, S/L Alban Spencer Ellerton, OBE, dangerously injured; 370080 LAC Donald Angus Reich seriously injured; 508749 AC2 Frederick Bernard Palmer uninjured.

PRATT, Percy James, P/O - Killed 24 March 1930 at Worthy Down following night flight, No.58 Squadron, Vickers Virginia J7709.

HODGKINSON, William Henry, Flight Cadet - Killed 1 April 1930 in a DH.9A, RAF College Cranwell; pilot and sole occupant.

MARTIN, John, Sergeant (335633) - Died 6 April 1930 on injuries sustained 17 March 1930 in a Grebe of No.23 Squadron; FL R.L.R. Atcherley, the pilot, was slightly injured in same accident. Aeroplane, 16 April 1930 gives following account:

An inquest was held at the Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot, on April 8 on the body of Sergeant John Martin, RAF, who died in the hospital from injuries received in an accident to an aeroplane which overturned in landing at the Farnborough Aerodrome. Flight Lieutenant Atcherley stated that on March 17 he flew a Grebe aeroplane from Kenley to Farnborough, and in landing he smashed the undercarriage. The result was that the machine overturned and Martin was thrown out very heavily. Sergeant Martin had been.flying the machine and had made two unsuccessful attempts to land. The officer then took it over, as he could see the ground was bad and he thought he could make a better landing. The ground was bumpy where he landed. The machine was in good order before the flight.

Sergeant White, who was flying another machine in formation with F/L Atcherley, stated that while they were in the air he saw Martin’s straps come undone. Martin tried to fasten them, but was unsuccessful.

Edgar Schofield, an Air Ministry official, stated that considerable repairs were being carried out on the rough ground of the aerodrome. He did not think, however, that the ground was more than partly responsible for the accident, as he had seen numerous other machines land safely at the same spot.

The Coroner recorded a verdict of ‘Accidental Death.”

TEALE, Roger Pridgin, F/O - Killed 8 April 1930 at Duxford in a Siskin of No.19 (Fighter) Squadron (Siskin J8888). “An inquest was held at Duxford aerodrome on April 9 on the body of Flying Officer R.P. Teale. Squadron Leader Reginald Keary said that on Tuesday, three aeroplanes, including Teale’s, were on the aerodrome ready to make a flight. In attempting to take off the centre machine with the flight leader on board failed to rise. The other two did. Teale on the left turned round when about 200 feet up and then got into a gliding turn which caused the machine to stall and crash. His theory was that Teale, seeing that his flight leader did not rise, attempted to land. He was evidently paying to much attention to his leader’s movements and did not pay sufficient attention to his landing. Teale was a very capable pilot and one of their best men. A verdict of ‘Accidental death’ was returned.” Aeroplane, 16 April 1930.

WILSON, Ernest Leonard, F/O - Died 10 April 1930 of injuries sustained that day in Grebe J7530), Armament and Gunnery School, Eastchurch. Account of inquiry in Aeroplane, 16 April 1930 which indicated aircraft had begun a spin at 3,000 feet (well above minimum height).

ARMISON, James Ronald, Telegraphist (P/J.111484) - Killed 10 April 1930 in Grebe J7530, Armament and Gunnery School, Eastchurch.

GLOVER, Harold Edward LDS, F/O - Found dead 14 April 1930

BARRON, Francis Slade, P/O - Killed 23 April 1930 in a Fairey IIIF of No.47 (Bomber) Squadron, Khartoum. “Judging by the newspaper reports the engine failed as the machine was leaving the aerodrome and owing to bad visibility the pilot stalled in an attempt to land.”

DAVIS, Cyril Fred, AC1 (364028) - Killed 23 April 1930 in a Fairey IIIF of No.47 (Bomber) Squadron, Khartoum.

FEARN, William Henry, Sergeant (328556) - Killed 25 April 1930 in an Avro machine, RAF College, Cranwell. “At the inquest at Cranwell on April 26, Flying Officer J. Mutch said that Sergeant Fearn was an experienced pilot. He was making a test flight in a machine he had flown for about two years. AC2 H.T. Tring said that he saw the machine in the air flying quite normally and apparently about to make a landing. When it got to within 50 feet of the ground it suddenly shot upwards and black smoke came from underneath it. Just as it began to go up it stalled, the nose came down and it went into a short spin. The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.” (Aeroplane).

CHARLTON, Leslie Edward, AC1 (560080) - Killed 25 April 1930 in an Avro machine, RAF College, Cranwell.

STRATTON, Howard Wallace, F/L and Lieutenant-Colonel, OBE, retired - Died 30 April 1930 at RAF Camp, Halton.

CHARLESWORTH, Ernest Raymond, LAC - Died 5 May 1930 at Jhelum, India, “as the result of a flying accident.”

TAVENDALE, James Charles Henry, F/L - Killed 14 May 1930 at Ali Masjid, near Peshwar, in a Bristol Fighter of No.20 (Army Cooperation) Squadron; pilot of machine.

CHAPPELL, Henry John, LAC (363555) - Killed 14 May 1930 at Ali Masjid, near Peshwar, in a Bristol Fighter of No.20 (Army Cooperation) Squadron; pilot of machine.

JARVIS, Alfred John, LAC (362986) - Killed 15 May 1930 at Kai-Tek in a Fairey IIIF reconnaissance machine, No.440 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight, attached HMS Hermes; pilot and other occupant uninjured.

HAWKE, John William, F/O - Died 15 May 1930 of injuries sustained on 5 May 1930 in an aircraft of No.20 (Army Cooperation) Squadron.

STROUD, Richard William Alexander, F/O - Killed 17 May 1930 at Risalpur, India, in a Wapiti of No.11 (Bomber) Squadron; pilot. Aeroplane of 28 May 1930 reported:

Flying Officer Stroud had been bombing hostile tribesmen and came down to 600 feet so that Aircraftman Wiltshire, his observer, might use the machine gun. While flying at this height Flying Officer Stroud was hit by a bullet which lodged in his neck. He signalled to Wiltshire to take control and then died. Wiltshire, who had no experience of flying, fitted a spare lever in the control column in the back seat, turned the machine and made for the emergency landing ground 45 miles away. He succeeded in reaching his objective, but from lack of experience landed too fast and crashed. He died in hospital the same night. Wiltshire could have jumped with a parachute, but, no doubt thinking that the pilot was still alive, chose the hazardous course of returning to the aerodrome.

WILTSHIRE, Charles Samuel, AC1 (364367) - Killed 17 May 1930 at Risalpur, India, in a Wapiti of No.11 (Bomber) Squadron.

NICOLAY, Vincent Humphries, F/O - Killed 26 May 1930 at Batholmm near Stamford; member of No.4 (Army Cooperation) Squadron, attached to Central Flying School, Wittering. Avro machine; F/O Philip Francis Luxton dangerously injured.

FRANCIS, Reginald Frederick, F/O - Killed 5 June 1930 at Malta in a Fairey IIID of No.202 (Flying Boat) Squadron. Pilot of machine

HARRIS, Charles Drewery, LAC (359622) - Killed 5 June 1930 at Malta in a Fairey IIID of No.202 (Flying Boat) Squadron.

DRAKE, Henry Leonard, F/L - Killed 6 June 1930 in collision of two Avro aircraft at Cranwell; he was pilot of one. His passenger, Flight Cadet Francis de la Poer Beresford-Peirse seriously injured. Pilot of other machine (Flight Cadet George Wrounghton Montagu, uninjured. Aeroplane, 11 June 1930 reported:

An inquest was held at Cranwell on June 7 on the body of Flight Lieutenant Drake. Flight Lieutenant D.A. Boyle stated that at the time of the accident Flight Lieutenant Drake was instructing Flight Cadet F.P. Beresford-Peirse in a dual control machine. When landing the machine crashed into anther machine piloted by Flight Cadet Montagu.

Flight Cadet G.R. Montagu said that he was flying solo in an Avro machine and as he was about to land he noticed another machine taking off on the ground where he wanted to descend. He turned on his engine and rose again and as he did so another machine seemed to come from above him. It struck his left wing putting his ailerons out of order, and then fell out of control.

VILLIERS, George Ernest, P/O, AAF - Killed 7 June 1930 in a flying accident.

O’MEARA, Frederick Ernest, Sergeant (335796) - killed 12 June 1930 when his Hawker Horseley (J8005) of No.100 (Bomber) Squadron collided with Bulldog K1091 of No.3 Squadron piloted by P/O Lord Malcolm Avondale Douglas-Hamilton (survived); possible rehearsal for a mock dogfight between a Horseley and a Bulldog at RAF Display. O’Meara’s passenger (359791 LAC William Hagan, uninjured.

FLETCHER, Nigel Henry Nevill, F/L - Killed at Wittering, 13 June 1930 in a Moth of Central Flying School.

HINDELANG, Edward Albert, Sergeant (363654) - killed 13 June 1930 in Wapiti J9712, No.60 Squadron, Kohat, India. LAC William Henry Lansdell fatally injured.

LANSDELL, William Henry, LAC (335828) - killed 13 June 1930 in Wapiti J9712, No.60 Squadron, Kohat, India; pilot was Sergeant E.A. Hundelang.

SMYTHIES, Bernard Edward, W/C, DFC - Killed 17 June 1930; Commanding Officer of North Weald. Taking off in a two-seater Siskin (a Moth, according to Aeroplane) with 561152 Aircraftman Frederick Reginald Stanley Holben; hit the awning or cab of a steam-powered lawn roller, crashed and burned. The passenger only slightly injured. Inattention on his part.

CLAXTON, John Cecil Lauga, F/O - Killed 18 June 1930 at Farnborough in a Bristol Fighter of the School of Photography; pilot and sole occupant. - “might have made a mistake when changing from one petrol tank to another as he opened the throttle fully. The engine might have been starved for petrol.” Aeroplane, 25 June 1930.

GORDON, John Ritchie, Sergeant (362338) - Killed 9 July 1930 at Hinaidi, Iraq, in collision of two Wapiti machines of No.55 (Bomber) Squadron. He was pilot. His passenger and occupants of other machine uninjured.

ROGERS, Peter Bagwell, F/O - Killed 15 July 1930 at Sutton Bridge, in a Gamecock of No.23 (Fighter) Squadron.

PILCHER, Geoffrey Norman, F/O - Killed 26 July 1930 at Khormaksar, Aden, in a Fairey IIIF of No.8 (Bomber) Squadron.

LAIDLER, Robert Angus, LAC (507565) - Killed 26 July 1930 at Khormaksar, Aden, in a Fairey IIIF of No.8 (Bomber) Squadron.

MILLAR, Alexander Robertson Hunter, F/L, AAF - Killed 3 August 1930 at Turnhouse, Edinburgh, “as the result of a flying accident.”

SAWYER, Wilfred, P/O - Killed 6 August 1930 near Grantham, Lincolnshire, in a Siskin og No.41 (Fighter) Squadron. Aeroplane, 13 August 1930 reported as follows:

An inquest was held at Grantham on August 8. The following report is taken from The Times. Flight Lieutenant Leach said Sawyer, who was a fully qualified pilot, asked his permission to go up and test an engine. Witness agreed, adding that he should be down again within twenty minutes. Sawyer did not have permission to go to Casthorpe, which was outside his flying area. Evidence was given that the machine was in good order and fit for flying.

Several witnesses said they saw Sawyer flying low at Casthorpe, and John Mann stated that the machine struck a large elm tree, and shortly afterwards crashed.

The Coroner said it seemed that Sawyer was trying to give someone a friendly salute at a Casthorpe house. He was flying too low and did not realize he was in a hollow. A verdict of “Accidental Death brought about by an error of judgement” was returned.

McNAIR, Owen Herbert, Sergeant (364199) - Killed 8 August 1930 at Falmer, near Lewes, in a Siskin of No.25 (Fighter) Squadron. Aeroplane, 13 August 1930 reported as follows:

An inquest was held at Falmer on August 9. The following report is taken from The Times: Flight Lieutenant Sidney Toomer, of No.4 (Army Cooperation) Squadron, said that he had come down from Hampshire to arrange a demonstration of how singke-seater fighters attacked troops on the march. McNair was flying one of the aeroplanes, and the demonstration was actually over when the crash occurred. Two aeroplanes had resumed flying formation and were waiting for McNair.

“When I first saw him,” he continued, “he was flying very slowly and at a fairly low altitude, with his engine throttled down. As soon as he had passed over the troops he commenced a right-hand turn and at the same time opened his throttle, but he had lost flying speed and crashed.”

The Coroner asked whether he agreed that if McNair had not crashed he would have flown into the troops ?

Flight Lieutenant Tooner said that he did not. He considered that it was an error in judgement. McNair was flying too slowly to make the turn. It had been said that McNair waved to the troops. I think that he was flying over them to say good-bye and there is no truth in the suggestion that he was waving in order to give warning that he was about to crash.

The Coroner, addressing the jury, said that it was apparent from the evidence that there was no question of McNair having crashed in order to avoid injuring the troops. “It was an error or judgement, and it is extraordinarily easy to make in such circumstances. The relatives may gain some measure of consolation from the fact that there are still gallant young men like McNair who hold their lives cheap in the performance of their duty. It would be a sad day for England if “Safety First” ever became the slogan of our race.” A verdict of “Death by Misadventure” was returned.

CRAWFORD, Stanley Charles Russell, W.C. OBE TD - Died 10 August 1930in the Isle of Wight, of pneumonia. Department of the Judge Advocate General.

KINGSFORD, Eric Tennant, F/O and Lieutenant, Prince of Wales Volunteers - Killed 15 August 1930 at Abu Sueir in a DH.9A of No.4 Flying Training School.

WOODLAND, John Douglas, P/O - Killed 18 August 1930

COOPER, James, LAC (15529) - Killed 3 September 1930 near Aqra, Iraq, in collision of two Wapiti aircraft of No.30 (Bomber) Squadron; his pilot (F/L Hugh Lindsay McCulloch) uninjured. Pilot of second machine (F/O Charles Peter Hanlon) slightly injured, and passenger in second machine (358748 LAC Thomas Walter Kent) seriously injured. Hanlon nevertheless died 25 or 26 December 1930.

SUTTON, Charles, F/O, RAFO - Killed 3 September 1930 in Lake Ontario - employed by Fairchild Aerial Surveys. Placed on Reserve, October 1926. Killed during races at the Toronto exhibition.

GORDON, Harry Francis Adam, S/L, OBE, retired - Died 3 September 1930

BALL, Peter Strickland, P/O - Killed 9 September 1930 at Nocton Heath, Lincolnshire, in an Avro Lynx of No.2 Flying Training School, Digby. “A farm labourer said that he saw the machine flying very low over a wood. The left wing touched a tree and the machine fell into a field and burst into flames.” Pilot and sole occupant.

CLARKE, Owen Cambridge, Sergeant (330150) - Killed 15 September 1930 in a Wapiti of No.11 (Bomber) Squadron, Risalpur, “several miles south of the Lawarai Pass in the Dir Valley, Northwestern Frontier Provinces. Pilot.

VALENTINE, Frank Spencer, LAC (365072)- Killed 15 September 1930 in a Wapiti of No.11 (Bomber) Squadron, Risalpur, “several miles south of the Lawarai Pass in the Dir Valley, Northwestern Frontier Provinces.

THOMPSON, Malcolm Stewart, P/O - Died 30 September 1930 following motorcycle accident, 29 September 1930; on staff of No.3 Flying Training School, Grantham.

SANT, Alfred Cecil, P/O - Died 25 September 1930 of injuries sustained in an accident near Rotherham in a Bristol Fighter of No.2 Flying Training School. Made a forced landing in a field and explained to a farmer that his magneto was missing. Examined engine and decided to take off again. At 50 feet the engine stopped and the machine dived into the ground.

CALWELL, Alexander Kirk Kennedy, F/O - Died 27 September 1930; formerly of Nos.26 and 208 (Army Co-operation) Squadrons, on strength of Electrical and Wireless School, Cranwell; fatally injured in a motor car accident.

ARMSTRONG, Gerald Christopher Allan, F/L - Killed 30 September 1930 at Arundel Park, Sussex, following collision of three Bulldogs of No.17 (Fighter) Squadron. One pilot (P/O Geoffrey John Pawson) slightly injured. Account in Aeroplane read as follows:

Squadron Leader Richard Harrison, who identified the bodies, said that they were attached to the Upavon Station and temporarily stationed at Tangmere for air exercises. Armstrong was leading a flight of three Bristol Bulldog single seaters with instructions to patrol the air immediately north of Amberley. The other machines were occupied by Sergeant Birkishaw and Pilot Officer Pawson. The atmosphere was clear over the aerodrome with light clouds to the east. The airmen were experienced flyers and had been in the district the previous day. The visibility was sufficiently good for them to fly with safety. The previous patrol had reported that while flying at 3,000 feet they had noticed the ground obscured in places by cloud. They could, however, see the aerodrome.

Pilot Officer Lawson said that they were flying at 3,000 feet. The ground became obscured with cloud. They dived down through this and suddenly hit the trees.

The coroner asked whether the trees were obscured all the time until the machines hit them. The witness said that they were and that the mist was lying on the ground.

A verdict of accidental death was returned.”

BIRKISHAW, Wilfred, Sergeant (326793) - Killed 30 September 1930 at Arundel Park, Sussex, following collision of three Bulldogs of No.17 (Fighter) Squadron.

PLUNKETT, John Augustus, F/L, RAFO - Died 30 September 1930

BUSHFIELD, Alexander, F/O, Retired - Killed 5 October 1930 in crash of R-101; Aeronautical Inspection Department.

COLMORE, Reginald Blayney Bulteel, W/C, OBE - Killed 5 October 1930 in the crash of the R-101 (Director of Airship Development)

O’NEILL, William Hickley Lovell, S/L, MC - Killed 5 October 1930 in crash of R-101; representing Secretary of State for India.

PALSTRA, William, S/L, MC, RAAF - Killed 5 October 1930 in crash of R-101.

ROPE, Frederick Michael, S/L - Killed 5 October 1930 in the crash of the R-101; attached to Directorate of Airship Development.

IRWIN, Herbert Carmichael, F/L, AFC - Killed 5 October 1930 in the crash of the R-101; captain of the airship.

JOHNSTON, Ernest Livingstone, F/L, OBE AFC, RAFO - Killed 5 October 1930 in the crash of the R-101; navigator of the airship.

BRANCKER, Sir William Sefton, A/V/M, KCB, AFC (Retired) - Killed 5 October 1930 in the crash of the R-101.

STEFF, Maurice Henry, F/O - Killed 5 October 1930 in the crash of the R-101.

KNIGHT, Leslie Arthur, Corporal (341524) - Killed 7 October 1930 at Aboukir in a Fairey IIIF of No.448 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight attached to HMS Eagle. The pilot (F/L Harold Hunter Down) uninjured. It appears that two Fairey IIIF were lost in a collision this day at Abiukir - S1324 and S1371.

MINNS, William Henry Dack, AC1 (508206) - Killed 9 October 1930 at Martlesham Heath, in a Vickers machine of No.22 (Bomber) Squadron. “The pilot and other occupants of the machine were not injured.” Could be Vickers 150, serial J9131.

BURD, John Marsh, F/L, MC - Died “suddenly”, 12 October 1930 at Hinaidi, Iraq,

NESBIT, Charles Henry Fletcher, F/O, RAFO - Killed 13 October 1930

BLOMFIELD, James Stanley, F/L - Killed 15 October 1930 at Grantham, Avro 504N serial K1059, No.3 Flying Training School; aircraft spun in.

WILLIAMSON, Cyril, AC2 (560947) - Killed 15 October 1930 at Grantham, Avro 504N serial K1059, No.3 Flying Training School;

COWIN, Maurice, Thomas, F/O and Lieutenant, RN - Killed 15 October 1930 at Halfar, Malta, in Ripon S3165 of No.461 (Fleet Torpedo Bomber) Flight.

BARKER, Edward George, LAC (364505) - Killed 15 October 1930 at Halfar, Malta, in Ripon S3165 of No.461 (Fleet Torpedo Bomber) Flight.

FAWKES, Ernest Hamley, Flight Cadet - Killed 16 October 1930 at Cranwell, Lincolnshire, in an Atlas of RAF College, Crawell.

WORSLEY, Oswald Ewart, F/L - Killed 18 October 1930 in a motor car accident; with No.29 Squadron at the time; placed second in 1927 Schneider Cup race (F/L Webster won).

REID, Edward Douglas Whitehead, F/L, MB, Auxiliary Air Force - Died 20 October 1930 following a crash on 19 October 1930; a member of No.601 (County of London) Squadron. He was carrying a passenger, Miss Irene Burnside; hit a tree when landing; she was killed outright.

WHITTOME, Thomas Eustace, P/O - Killed 22 October 1930 at Halton, “the result of an aeroplane accident.” He was not on flying duty or in a service machine at the time.

BERRY, Peter, Flight Cadet - Killed 30 October 1930 in an Atlas machine of RAF College, Cranwell; pilot and sole occupant.

CHAPLIN STEUART, The Rev Frederick Alexander, MA, BD, AAF - Died 2 November 1930

BARNETT, Max Ian, F/O - Killed 4 November 1930 at Ingatestone, Essex in a Siskin of No.56 (Fighter) Squadron.

GOAD, Frederick Robert Walter, F/O - Killed 4 November 1930 at Manston, Kent, in a Virginia of No.9 (Bomber) Squadron. First pilot. 366280 AC1 Alan William Edwards slightly injured.

ROBERTS, George William, Sergeant (356992) - Killed 4 November 1930 at Manston, Kent, in a Virginia of No.9 (Bomber) Squadron. Second pilot.

CHANCE, John Anthony, P/O - Killed 19 November 1930 at Catterick in an Atlas of No.26 (Army Cooperation) Squadron. Pilot of aircraft. 156231 Sergeant Adam Maitland seriously injured.

BROOKS, Gerald, F/L - Killed 25 November 1930 at Leuchars; mid-air collision between Horlsey aircraft J8013 and J8015 of No.100 Squadron.

HOWLETT, Alexander Harold James, F/L - Killed 25 November 1930 at Leuchars; mid-air collision between Horlsey aircraft J8013 and J8015 of No.100 Squadron.

GIBBON, Douglas Wells, F/L - Killed 30 November 1930 at Pinner Park, Middlesex, in an Avro aircraft of the Home Aircraft Depot; pilot and sole occupant.

CROSBIE, Ernest William, S/L - Died 2 December 1930 at RAF Hospital, Uxbridge, “as the result of an accident.”

MacKAY, Charles Joseph, W/C, MC, DFC, psa - Died “suddenly” 9 December 1930, at Andover.

BURKE, Edward Joseph Augustine, F/L, RAFO - Died 10 December 1930 although Aeroplane of 17 December 1930 gives date as 20 November 1930, “the result of a flying accident while prospecting in British Columbia.”

ASHWANDEN, Cecil Kenneth, F/O and Lieuteant, RN - Died 15 December 1930

HANLON, Charles Peter, F/O - Died 25 or 26 December 1930 of injuries sustained 3 September 1930 in Iraq.

[davew]

Some more serials

21 Jan Mackenzie et al Fairey IIIf J9637 J File (date differs slightly)
26 May Nicolay Avro 504N J8728 Do
6 Jun Drake et al Do J8709 & J9693 Do
7 Jun Villiers Death registered at Hendon BMD Register
13 Jun Fletcher Moth J8820 J File
17 Jun Smythies Moth K1209 K File
15 Jul Rogers Gamecock J7894 J File
8 Aug McNair Siskin J9325 Do
18 Aug Woodland Death registered at Chester BMD register
9 Sep Ball Lynx J9007 J File
30 Sep Armstrong et el Bulldog K1083 & K1085* K File
*Another a/c involved in this incident was J9587 which landed safely.

7 Oct Knight Fairey IIIF S1324 FAA A/c 1920-
Fell out of the aircraft after collision with S1371. Both a/c landed safely and continued in service.

30 Nov Green Avro 504N K1041 K File

DaveW

[HughAHalliday]

Re addition for:

30 Nov Green Avro 504N K1041 K File.

I am having trouble matching this up. Which year ? and which Green ? or is it Gibbon ?

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

08/04/30+ - MARTIN (acc. 17/03/30) - Gloster Grebe J7519
23/04/30 - BARRON/DAVIS - Fairey IIIF S1201
05/05/30 - CHARLESWORTH (see also 15/05/30 - HAWKE) - Bristol Fighter F4414
14/05/30 - TAVENDALE/CHAPPELL - Bristol Fighter F4562
15/05/30 - JARVIS - Fairey IIIF S1306 - Cr. Kai Tak, Hong Kong.
26/05/30 - NICOLAY - Avro 504N J8728 - Cr. Barholm, Lincolnshire
05/06/30 - FRANCIS/HARRIS - Fairey IIID S1078 - Cr. Birzebbuga, Malta.
07/06/30 - VILLIERS - Balckburn Bluebird IV G-AASU - Cr. Hendon.
26/07/30 - PILCHER/LAIDLER - Fairey IIIF J9134
19/10/30 - REID/BURNSIDE - Westland Widgeon II G-EBJT - Cr. East Sutton Park, near Detling, Kent.
22/10/30 - WHITTOME - De Havilland D.H.60 Moth G-EBPR - Cr. Halton.
04/11/30 - ROBERTS/CHANCE - Vickers Virginia J7561

Col.

[158duxford]

from 158 Duxford
Flight Cadet W.H.Hodgkinson killed 1 April at RAFC Cranwell was the older brother of Flt.Lt.A.J.Hodgkinson DSO DFC&Bar. Both were Halton Apps.

[158duxford]

Hodgkinson was an outstanding App at Halton and was well-respected at Cranwell. His death was reported in the College Journal and aviation magazines.
he is buried in Cranwell PC - RAF section.
from 158duxford

[davew]

K1041 30 Nov should read Gibbon, apologies.

DaveW

[wwrsimon]

Hugh

Here are a few details:

PEARSON, Charles Alfred - died at the Officers Hospital, Uxbridge - source is the National Probate Calendar

GALE, Robert Charles Cave - the Gloucester Journal of August 25th 1928 reports that he was seriously injured in an aircraft crash near Tewkesbury, sustaining a fractured thigh, a deep cut over the left eye and facial injuries.
The National Probate Calendar reports that he died "on the highway at Stanton, Suffolk."
His death is reported in various newspapers - the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette: "Pilot-officer R. C. Gale, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Gale, Suston Lodge, Diss, Norfolk, who escaped death in a Gloucestershire air crash in August 1928, received fatal injuries yesterday at Stanton, Suffolk, when his car collided with a motor lorry."

DOWNEY, Frederick Benson Shearn - died at Hinaidi, Iraq - source is the National Probate Calendar

GLOVER, Harold Edward - died at RAF Upper Heyford - source is the National Probate Calendar

STRATTON, Howard Wallace - The Western Daily news reports that he was found dead at the "officers' quarters, Royal Air Force, Halton House, Bucks...shot dead with a revolver near him. His widow stated that he had had pains which he thought to be cancer."

WOODLAND, John Douglas - the Dundee Evening Telegraph of August 19th: "Pilot Officer john Douglas Woodland, aged 23, stationed at Sealand Aerodrome, near Chester, was killed in a road accident near Chester late last night. He was returning to the aerodrome after visiting Chester, and was riding a motor-cycle, being accompanied by Pilot Officer Jack Satchell, who rode pillion. They crashed into a push cyclist...were all flung into the road, and then [another] motor cyclist came along and crashed into them. On arrival at Chester Infirmary, Woodland was found to be dead. Satchell, who is a well-known athlete, sustained a broken thigh. The others escaped injury."

GORDON, Harry Francis Adam - died at Deventer, Holland - source is the National Probate Calendar

NESBIT, Charles Henry Fletcher - a (remote?) possibility, from the Hartlepool Mail, October 14th 1930: "Perth (Western Australia), Tuesday (Reuter) A Puss Moth containing Flight-Lieut. Nesbit, with a passenger, Miss Rea W. Bell set out yesterday on a navigation flight. The 'plane did not return, and today seven machines went out in search, and finally located it. The police fond the aeroplane wrecked and both occupants dead."

ASHWANDEN, Cecil Kenneth - the Dundee Evening Telegraph of December 15th: "Lieutenant Cecil Ashwanden, of Cookham, Surrey, died in newcastle Infrmary today from injuries received in a motor accident near Otterburn, Northumberland, yesterday. Ashwanden and a companion named Saunt, who was slightly injured, were returning home on Christmas leave from Leuchars Aerodrome, when their car crashed into a telegraph pole. Lieutenant Ashwanden had been stationed at Leuchars for about six months."

Regards

Simon

[Jagan]

BARRON, Francis Slade, P/O - Killed 23 April 1930 in a Fairey IIIF of No.47 (Bomber) Squadron, Khartoum. “Judging by the newspaper reports the engine failed as the machine was leaving the aerodrome and owing to bad visibility the pilot stalled in an attempt to land.”

DAVIS, Cyril Fred, AC1 (364028) - Killed 23 April 1930 in a Fairey IIIF of No.47 (Bomber) Squadron, Khartoum.

23/04/30 - BARRON/DAVIS - Fairey IIIF S1201

Photo via eBay

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

In light of what Simon has to say re NESBIT, l have the following:

13/10/1930 - NESBIT/RAE/BELL - de Havilland D.H.80A Puss Moth (c/n.2021) VH-UPC (registered to Wings Ltd., Perth, WA.) Crashed at Chidlow Hills, Darling Ranges, Western Australia. 3 - killed. Mr.Charles Henry Fletcher NESBIT (Pilot), Pupil pilots, Miss Haidee RAE and Mr William Robert BELL (Timaru, N.Z.).

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36408834

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article33228218

Col.