RAF officer deaths 12.11.18-31.12.28

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello Jenny,

The following might help:

BOMB DISASTERS IN IRAK.

2 AEROPLANES BLOWN UP.

(From Our Correspondent.)

Basra, Oct. 5 (1921)

A remarkable flying accident is reported from Nasiriyah resulting in the death of Flying Officer Maitland Hyslop and Second Air Craftsman Plummer.

Mr Hyslop's aeroplane, which was carrying bombs, attained a height of 40ft when one of the bombs exploded.The machine immediately burst into flames and crashed, killing both men instantaneously.

Three minutes later the second bomb-carrying aeroplane rose from the same aerodrome and a bomb exploded at an altitude of 100ft, causing a second crash. Flying Officer B. E. Herbert escaped with a severe concussion and other injuries, while his mechanic got a black eye.

I am informed that the second explosion was not caused by the first. An exhaustive inquiry is now in progress.

See: The Times October 8. 1921 p.7

I believe the aircraft were possibly DH.9As from No.84 Sqn. Maybe someone with a copy of the Air Britain DH.9 File, can check and see if there are any matching incidents. Date, possibly 30-9-1921.

I have checked, Flat Out:The Story of 30 Squadron Royal Air Force/Hamlin. Can't find a matching incident there.

Col.

[Errol Martyn]

Col/Jenny,

From 'The DH4/DH9 File':

DH9A serial H66
84 Sqn, 112-lb bomb dropped at low altitude and exploded on take off, a/c crashed and set on fire, Nasiriyeh, Cat W 30.9.21 (F/O M Hyslop & AC2 E Plummer both killed) (E9919 also DBR in explosion)

DH9A serial E9919
84 Sqn, DBR when Cooper bomb dropped off H66 and exploded on take-off Nasiriyah, Cat W 30.9.21 (F/O B E Hobart, DCM serverly injured & LAC A W Graham slightly injured)

Note contradictions between E9919 and Times account.

84 Sqn history, 'The Scorpions Sting' by Don Neate, has:
The same month a bomb exploded just after an aircraft took off. Not only were the crew killed but the crew of E9919 parked nearby were severely injured and their aircraft damaged beyond repair. [no mention of names or serial of other aircraft]

Jenny - BBR = Damaged Beyond Repair
Cat W = a write off

Errol

[paulmcmillan]

Just found..

2nd Lt Waters A J Killed 31 Jan 19
Lt Cumming C L Killed 31 Jan 19

206 Sqn DH9A E8877

[Ross_McNeill]

F/L G V Wheatley was from No.22 Sqn, assigned to AA&EE Martlesham Heath and killed on 8th Dec 1926 when Gamecock I, J7891 crashed after wings came off near Martlesham village.

Regards
Ross

[Ross_McNeill]

Fg Off Dauncey H C G Harold Campbell Gambier Killed 23 Jan 28

Again a No.22 Sqn officer, assigned to AA&EE.

Killed carrying out speed test in the prototype Blackburn Turcock aircraft

Regards
Ross

[ian94avenge]

Lt Col Jenkins L DSO MC Of natural causes 20 Nov 18 - cause of death Pneumonia following Flu.

Ian