RAF Fatalities, 1931

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

Just a little more on, 25/01/31, Lawrence Herbert IRVING-BELL (also referred to as; Lawrence Herbert Irving BELL), Avro 504K G-AACW.

Several sources refer to I-B as an Australian, he was not. He was born in Hong Kong, China. At one time (c.1916), his father, Herbert Irving BELL, resided at 82 Bealey Avenue, Christchurch. New Zealand. I-B visited Australia on 10-3-1916, and whilst here enlisted in the A.I.F. (10-8-1916). His unit, the 60th Bn., left for the UK on 3-11-1916. After serving on the Western Front, he transferred to the Australian Flying Corps (5-5-1918). I-B resigned his commission in the AFC, and was demobbed on 18-10-1919. He joined the RAF in 1919, reportedly serving in India, but retired in 1922 due to ill health.

For 04/02/31, W/C TUCKER et al. The serial of Blackburn RB.1 Iris III, should read N238, not S238. Also killed, but not mentioned was; LAC William George STEVENS. The injured were; F/L Maurice Hibbert ELY and F/L Charles RYLEY, Cpl William Mansell BARRY being unhurt.

05/05/31 F/L WAGHORN (+ 07/05/31). Hawker Horsley J8932 (All-metal prototype), abandoned after becoming uncontrollable. Mr E R ALEXANDER safe.

08/11/31 F/O E A JONES - D.H. 60M Moth G-AAVU (Brooklands Flying School). Hit wind sock on landing in bad weather, Hendon, rebuilt. F/L William Evelyn Patrick JOHNSON injured.

Col.

[Richard Cawsey]

TEIDEMAN, Arthur George, F/O & MACKENZIE, John Buralem, F/O - Killed 28 November 1931 at Hillhead, Hants, in a Moth of RAF Gosport.

Moth serial number was K1203 - source: photo in Portsmouth Evening News - Saturday 28 November 1931

[paulmcmillan]

Nice catch Richard

Air Britain has for this one

c/n 1515 DH.60M [Gipsy I] toc as K1203 by Base Training Squadron, Gosport (Coastal Area) 26.4.30. Soc 11.1.32

So struck of charge over month later

[paulmcmillan]

NECOMBE, Jack Stewart, P/O - Died 26 February 1931

12 Sqn ORB: During this month (Feb 1931) P/O Field and Newcombe were in the team which represented England in the World Bobsleigh Championship ast St. Moritz. Just before the final in which the team finished 3rd P/O Newcombe was taken seriously ill and died a week later. He was cremated and brought back to Andover where he was given a service funeral on the 26th Feb 1931

Based on description not convinced date of death correct

[wwrsimon]

Paul

The National Probate Calendar has the following for Jack Stewart Newcombe:

NEWCOMBE, Jack Stewart of No. 12 Squadron R.A.F. Andover, Hampshire, died 26 February 1931 at Kreisspital Samadan, Switzerland.

As I mentioned in post #5 his death was also announced in The Times:

NEWCOMBE - On Feb 26, 1931, at Samadan Hostial, Engadine, Switzerland, from peritonitis, JACK STEWART NEWCOMBE, Pilot Officer, Royal Air Force, second son of the late Capt. C. H. Newcombe, R.A., and Mrs. Newcombe, West Lulworth, aged 21.

Regards

Simon

[COL BRUGGY]

DATHAM, Norman Gilly, Flight Cadet - died in hospital 30 November 1931 from injuries sustained 24 November 1931 in an Atlas of RAF Cranwell. “The Coroner warmly commended a young farm labourer named Frank Leslie Wilson who, with great bravery, pulled Datham out of the blazing wreckage.”

Service File:

Court of Inquiry held at Cranwell on 26.11.31. Killed as the result of a flying accident (Pilot) at Brauncewell on Atlas K1499. Due to pilot stalling when to near the ground

Atlas K1499 * needs confirmation

Hello,

The correct name of this Flight Cadet was: Norman Gilly "DATHAN", not DATHAM. His birth/death registrations attest to this fact (Born: 1stQ, Southampton, Hampshire, March,1913; Death: 4thQ, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, December,1931).

Col

[paulmcmillan]

WHITFIELD, Lawrence - the Western Daily Press of September 23rd 1931 carries the story of "Mr. Lawrence Whitfield, the airman and amateur jockey, who died on Thursday from injuries received at Hurst Park races early in the year." The National Probate Calendar states that he died at the Star and Garter Home, Petersham.
Is this the same chap, or am I barking up the wrong tree?

No you are not


Died of injuries 17 September 1931 received 16 January 1931, when ell at the open ditch in a Amateurs Handicap Steeple Chase at Hirst Park riding a horse called John Hasty . An X-ray examination revealed the jockey sustained
very serious injuries to spine and that would never ride again.

He died in the Star and Garter Home for disabled servicemen, Richmond, Surrey