RAF fatalities, 1932

[HughAHalliday]

O'DOHERTY, Francis Joseph, F/L - Killed 12 January 1932 at Mena, Cairo, in an Atlas of No.208 (Army Cooperation) Squadron.

O’ MALONEY, Denis John Maurice, AC1 (355992) - Killed 12 January 1932 at Mena, Cairo, in an Atlas of No.208 (Army Cooperation) Squadron. (MAHONEY ?)

REGAN, John, F/O and Captain, retired - Died 17 January 1932

SHEARN, Austin Charles, P/O - Died 20 January 1932

BRUCE, William Robert, G/C - Died 21 January 1932

TOPPIN, Henry Castlehow, F/O and Lieutenant, RN - Died 29 January 1932 while serving on HM Submarine M5 as pilot of Parnell Peto N255; vessel lost three miles off Portland Bill. May have been M2 and date of 26 January 1932.

GRANT, William Edward, F/O - Died 2 February 1932 in RAF Hospital Halton.

HICKS, Herbert George, F/O - Killed 15 February 1932 at Leuchars in Fairey IIIF S1341 or S1332; collided with Avro 504 J8507 or J8509.

BEATTIE, Richard, AC1 (370840) - Killed 15 February 1932 at Leuchars in Fairey IIIF S1341 or S1332; collided with Avro 504 J8507 or J8509. He was passenger in the Fairey IIIF.

STARLEY, James, Able Seaman (P/SSX 12188) - Missing, drowned 17 February 1932 following accident off Malta, Fairey IIIF of No.450 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight, HMS Courageous. F/O George Frederick Whistondale (pilot) uninjured.

DITTON, Hugh, F/L and Lieutenant-Commander, RN - Killed 25 February 1932 as pilot of a Fairey Flycatcher, serial N9679 No.401 (Fleet Fighter) Flight, HMS Courageous - collided with a second Flycatcher; pilot and sole occupant.

COLLINS, Reginald Stradling, F/O - Killed 25 February 1932 as pilot of Fairey Flycatcher, serial S1273, No.401 (Fleet Fighter) Flight, HMS Courageous - collided with a second Flycatcher piloted by F/L H. Ditton; pilot and sole occupant.

IEVERS (Levers ?), George Maurice, F/O - Killed 25 February 1932, motorcycle accident near Bagshot.

GREGORY, Ernest Walter, S/L, MC, retired - Died March 1932

PINK, Richard Charles Montagu, Air Commodore, CBE - Died 7 March 1932 following long illness; had been appointed Senior Air Staff Officer, Air Defence of Great Britain in July 1931.

DEAN, Godfrey, F/O, RAFO - Killed 12 March 1932 near Lake Nipigon in a Junkers of Canadian Airways; RAF from May 1922 to May 1926.

NICHOLLS, Noah William, Sergeant (335419) - Killed 17 March 1932 in an Avro of Central Flying School, Wittering. Pilot of the machine.

RICHARDSON, Joseph Ivan, Sergeant (335995) - Killed 17 March 1932 in an Avro of Central Flying School, Wittering.

PAINE, Sir Godfrey Marshall, A/V/M, KCB, MVO, retired - Died in London, 23 March 1932, age 60.

HUDSON, Herbert Victor, Sergeant (363135) - Killed 3 April 1932 while piloting an aeroplane of No.30 (Bomber) Squadron on a reconnaissance in cooperation with the Iraqi Army, Barzan District. Wounded in the chest by tribal gunfire, he was able to land his machine at Adraf Dianna and save his gunner (560932, AC1 Thomas Frank Merrick, slightly wounded).

TAYLOR, Reginald Reader Hart, F/O, RAFO - Died 2 April 1932

WARFORD-MEIN, Adrian John, P/O - Killed 14 April 1932 near King’s Lynne, in Avro 504N, serial K2352 of No.2 Flying Training School, Digby. Pilot and sole occupant. Australian.

CLARK, Henry Thomas, F/O - Died of injuries 21 April 1932 following accident in an Atlas of No.208 (Army Cooperation) Squadron; 363909 LAC Henry Arthur Crook slightly injured.

IRVEN, Paul Leslie Hylder Dundas, F/O and Lieutenant, RN - Drowned 25 April 1932; accident off Malta in Blackburn Ripon, No.462 (Fleet Torpedo Bomber) Flight, HMS Glorious. He was pilot. Aeroplane of 11 May 1932 carried the following from The Times of 7 May 1932:

Lieutenant Irven, who was attached to H.M. aircraft carrier Glorious, was piloting a Blackburn Ripon bomber with Midshipman Hamilton of HMS Resolution as passenger, when the machine came down in the sea. In a letter to Captain Irven, Air Commodore Rathborne writes:

“They had drifted quite close into the shore at Ras il Pellegrin. The shore at this point is very steep and about 200 to 300 feet high....Although there were several civilians on top of the cliffs, it was impossible to reach them. The civilians lowered some ropes down the cliffs, and it has been established that your son would almost certainly have been able to reach the ropes had it not been for his gallant efforts to assist the midshipman to swim from the tail of the aeroplane to the ropes. He made this effort three times, and each time had to return to the floating tail.”

Aeroplane of 23 November 1932 carried the following under the title “An Award for Bravery.”

The Bronze Medal of the Royal Humane Society has been awarded to Lieutenant P.L.H.D. Irven, R.N. (Flying Officer, RAF) for attempting to save on April 25 Midshipman Archibald Hamilton of the Royal Navy.

An aeroplane with Lieutenant Irven as pilot and Midshipman Hamilton as passenger was forced into the sea off the west coast of Malta and drifted to within 30 yards of a high rocky cliff. Some Maltese farmers let down a rope and the officers made three unsuccessful attempts to reach it. Lieutenat Irven, the stronger swimmer, was apparently unwilling to leave his companion, and helped him to regain the wreckage after two attempts. During the third attempt the aircraft sank, and both officers were eventually drowned. Lieutenant Irven could have made a much greater personal effort to save himself if he had been alone.

HAMILTON, Archibald, Midshipman - Drowned 25 April 1932; accident off Malta in Blackburn Ripon, No.462 (Fleet Torpedo Bomber) Flight, HMS Glorious.

JOHNSTONE, Archibald Campbell, P/O - Killed 26 April 1932 in collision of Bulldog K1673, No.23 Squadron, with K1675 of same unit (362451 Sergeant Edward Daniel Jack uninjured). Spun into ground, Hartfield.

SUTTON, John Frederick, F/O - Killed 29 April 1932 in Moth K1253, No.502 Squadron, at Waterfoot, County Antrim. Aeroplane says it was an Avro.

WHITE, Nicholas Erskine, F/O - Killed 6 May 1932 at Wittering, in an Avro of Central Flying School. Machines changing formation, two locked together and fell at moderate speed to the ground (Avro 504N aircraft K1042 and K1050).

McDOUGALL, Duncan Shimwell, F/O - Killed 6 May 1932 at Wittering, in an Avro of Central Flying School. Machines changing formation, two locked together and fell at moderate speed to the ground.

JONES, Hugh, F/L - Died 10 May 1932

HEALING, John William Montague, F/O and Lieutenant-Commander, RN - Died 11 May 1932

EAST, LAC - Died of injuries inflicted 19 May 1932 by tribesmen on drugs while traveling between Miranshaw and Peshwar. Member of No.20 Squadron. (Air of Authority listing)


GIBBONS, Frank George, F/L, DFC - 21 May 1932 - flying accident, Stanton, Norfolk

BRAMLEY, Eric Victor Newcomen, F/O - killed, flying accident near Gaza, 23 May 1932, Fairey IIIF, serial J9809 of No.14 (Bomber) Squadron

MOORE, Gerald William, LAC (365293) - killed, flying accident near Gaza, 23 May 1932.

LANE, William Patrick, LAC (560860) - Killed 24 May 1932 - passenger in a Siskin of No.5 FTS, Sealand; 341550 Sergeant Jack Treadwell (pilot) dangerously injured (died 10 June 1932).

JACKSON, Neville Howard, P/O - Killed 26 May 1932 in collision of Fury K2036 and K2064 (Jackson’s machine which caught fire before hitting ground), No.1 Squadron, Buckingham Park, Shoreham-on-Sea. F/O George James Stewart Chatterton not injured. Collision occurred during formation change.

MARGETTS, Dennis John, F/O and Lieutenant, RN - Killed 8 June 1932 in Ripon S1560 of No.466 (Fleet Torpedo Bomber) Flight, HMS Furious, northwest coast of Scotland. Dived into sea during practice bombing run.

NEWSHAM, James, Lieutenant, RN - Killed 8 June 1932 in Ripon S1560 of No.466 (Fleet Torpedo Bomber) Flight, HMS Furious, northwest coast of Scotland.

ELWORTHY, Leonard Maurice, S/L - Killed 8 June 1932; as Flight Lieutenant had been posted to No.56 Squadron, 3 March 1932. Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 June 1932. Killed in a Sidestrand of No.101 (Bomber) Squadron, Andover, following collision of three Sidestrands. His parachute failed to open. F/L John Rene Whitley slightly injured (escaped successfully by parachute).

LEGGATT, Horatio Bethune, P/O - Killed 9 June 1932 in an Avro of No.2 FTS, Digby - collision with Best. Avro 504N aircraft F8812 and K1815 involved.

BEST, John David, P/O - Killed 9 June 1932 in an Avro of No.2 FTS, Digby - collision with Leggatt. Avro 504N aircraft F8812 and K1815 involved.

TREADWELL, Jack, Sergeanr (34155) - Died 10 June 1932 from injuries sustained 24 May 1932 in a Siskin of No.5 FTS, Sealand.

MAHON, Lionel Edward Patrick, F/O - Died 12 June 1932 in RAF Officers Hospital, Uxbridge.

WATSON, Geoffrey Douglas, P/O, RAFO - Killed 17 June 1932 at Netheravon in an Atlas; member of Cambridge University Squadron. Pilot and sole occupant.

ASHTON-JINKS, Clement Philip, F/L - Died 20 June 1932

USHER, Harry James, F/O, retired - Died 23 June 1932

MASSEY, Norman Blennerhassett, F/O, RAFO - Killed 8 July 1932

DRAPER, Alfred John, P/O - Died 8 July 1932 at Officers Hospital, Uxbridge; Australian, ex RAAF and commissioned in RAF, January 1932; member of No.54 (Fighter) Squadron.

MUNDAY, Richard Burnard, S/L, DSC AFC, retired - Died 11 July 1932. He had been retired May 1932 on grounds of ill-health.

PHARAZYN, Peter Walter Johnston, F/O, Special Reserve - Killed 27 July 1932 at Bekesbourne, near Canterbury, in Wapiti, possibly K1369 of No.501 (City of Bristol) Squadron; pilot and sole occupant. Struck a tree, climbed and lost tail; dived into ground and burned.

FLETCHER, James Wilfred Moncrief, Lieutenant, the Cameronians - Killed 28 July 1932 near Juba, Sudan, in a Fairey IIIF of No.47 (Bomber) Squadron; pilot, 364904 Sergeant Herbert Lazell and 364801 LAC Norman Charles Frank Clay, injured.

SALT, William Harvey, P/O, RAFO - Killed 4 August 1932 near Brough in a Bluebird of a civil flying school.

KAY, Andrew Bankes, F/O and Lieutenant, RN - Killed 16 August 1932 in a Fairey of RAF Training Base, Leuchars. Pilot.

FOREMAN, William Robert, AC2 (511266) - Killed 16 August 1932 in a Fairey of RAF Training Base, Leuchars; passenger with Kay.

WATKINS, Henry George, P/O, RAFO - Died 20 August 1932

SLOWEY, Henry Edward, P/O - Died 23 August 1932 as a result of a motor car accident. From New Zealand.

SAWYER, Robert Stanley, F/O - Died 27 August 1932

WILLSHER, Cecil Brian, F/O - Died 29 August 1932

HAWKINS, Peter John Walter, F/O - Killed 9 September 1932 at Upavon, Wiltshire, as the result of a flying accident; member of No.3 (Fighter) Squadron.

BAYLEY, René Maurice, W/C and A/G/C, DFC - Died 11 September 1932

DAVEY, Leonard Steven, LAC (364613)- Died 15 September 1932 when trapped in wreckage of Singapore C1128 , No.205 Squadron, which crashed on landing at Selatar, Singapore. Slightly injured were F/O Wilfred Farnsworth Hilchie (pilot), 365317 LAC Stanley Cyril Sweetland, and 510770 AC1 Herbert Ronald Shawyer.

HINKIN, Robert Cecil, LAC (561756) - Died 15 September 1932 when trapped in wreckage of Singapore C1128, No.205 Squadron, which crashed on landing at Selatar, Singapore.

CLARIDGE, Reginald Eaves, Sergeant - Killed 16 September 1932 while flying in Fairey IIIF, serial J9792, No.47 Squadron, which crashed while landing on Nile at Wau, Bahr El Ghazal Province in Sudan. Uninjured crew were 506997 LAC Harold Percy Marsh and 365371 AC1 Edward Thomas New.

SEATON, Robert Alexander, F/L (retired) - Died 24 September 1932 at Exeter. Had been on Reserve since September 1930.

KING, Henry Maitland, F/L and Lieutenant, RN - Killed 26 September 1932 in a Flycatcher at Holbeach, Lincolnshire; pilot and sole occupant. On staff of Gosport. Aeroplane of 5 October 1932 reported on inquest at Sutton Bridge on 27 September 1932.

Lieutenant-Commander Graham said that Lieutenant King had had previous experience of live bombing. It was part of the Fleet’s annual practice.

Flying Officer Hyland, Safety Officer at the low altitude bombing range, said that while King was flying he heard a loud explosion and then saw the aircraft dive to the ground in flames. He did not think a splinter from one of the bombs caught the petrol tank.

Another flying officer said that he could not give any explanation as to whether the machine ignited a bomb. It would be very extraordinary if a bomb caused the machine to “fire”.

The Coroner (Mr. Charles Bowser) said that it was clear that King met his death as the result of an accident. No one appeared to be to blame for what had happened. The jury’s verdict was one of death by misadventure.

DOBSON, Vernon William, F/O and Sub-Lieutenant, RN - Killed 1 October 1932 near St. Andrews, Scotland, motor car accident.

DICKSON, Robert Douglas Lindsay, F/O and Lieutenant, RN - Killed 1 October 1932 near St. Andrews, Scotland, motor car accident.

BOBBETT, Henry Charles, F/O and S/L, retired - Died 3 October 1932

MAYER, John Leonard, F/O, DFC (RAFO) - Died 6 October 1932 from injuries sustained in a flying accident on 27 August 1932.

PAGE, Arthur Wilfrid Brian, F/O - killed 7 October 1932, Compton, Surrey, “as the result of a flying accident”, in Virginia J8237 of No.58 Squadron following wing failure. Pilot. Four others escaped by parachute - 353235 AC1 Reginald Charles Lewis (injured), 335713 Corporal Frederick Edward Brooks, 512904 LAC Wilber Herbert Quane and 512911 AC1 George Henry Ralphs. Aeroplane of 19 October 1932 reported on inquest held at Godalming on 11 October 1932:

Squadron Leader G.F. Smylie of No.58 (B) Squadron said that the machine had been inspected according to regulations before it left Worthy Down. Corporal F.E. Brooks, one of the crew, said that he could not account for the accident. He has noticed nothing unusual. At between 2,000 and 2,500 feet they had begun a turn to the left which he thought was a navigation detail. He then noticed one of the officers banging on the side of the machine to attract his attention. He thought Mr. Page said “Jump for it”. He had to wait until Mr. Gully had clambered out before before he could get through the communicating door. He then signaled to the others to jump. Mr. Page jumped off one wing and the witness jumped off the other. Lewis was in the tail and had got away by then. The others jumped off the fuselage.

LAC W.H. Quane, another member of the crew, said that the engines were apparently running all right. Mr. Page said “Jump” and Mr. Gully, who was standing on top of the machine, made his way for the witness to jump.

AC1 G.H. Ralphs, also one of the crew, said that he did not notice anything happen to the aeroplane except that it banked steeply.

Police Constable Langridge said that he noticed the machine flying with one wing below the other. It flew in a circle and went down behind some houses.

Addressing the jury, the Coroner said it was clear that a direct intimation was given to the men to get clear of the machine. The evidence showed that Mr. Page knew there was something wrong. “I think the jury will unhesitatingly agree with me”, said the Coroner, “that in very difficult circumstances the action of both Mr. Page and Mr. Gully was particularly heroic. It is another instance of the very fine tradition which has always been association with the Service.” He adjourned the inquest until Tuesday, November 22.”

GULLY, Bernard Henry, P/O - killed 7 October 1932, Compton, Surrey, “as the result of a flying accident”, in a Virginia of No.58 Squadron. Second pilot.

MARETT, Harold Claude, F/L - Killed 12 October 1932 in Avro Tutor (Garrett ?) of No.3 Flying Training School, Grantham, at Great Ponton. Pilot.

WHITE, Adrian Kinross, A/P/O - Killed 12 October 1932 Avro Tutor K2509 of No.3 Flying Training School, Grantham, at Great Ponton. Aircraft spun into ground. Passenger, baled out but parachute failed to deploy fully. New Zealander.

THOMPSON, Neville Herbert, F/O and Lieutenant, Sherwood Foresters - killed in flying accident, 27 October 1932 - Audax K2007 of No.4 (Army Cooperation) Squadron, following a collision with another aircraft (K2000) at Farnborough. Passenger LAC George Henry Harvey also killed. Aeroplane of 9 November 1932 reported as follows: “An Inquest was held on November 2 on the bodies of Flying Officer N.H. Thompson and LAC G.H. Harvey who were killed in a collision at Farnborough on October 27. Flight Lieutenant G.H. Stainforth said that the two machines were looping and as they went over the top of the loop the rear machine crossed in front of the leader. There was no apparent impact, but he saw a shower of fragments leaving the machine. The leader completed the loop and the other machine continued in a straight line for three or four seconds upside down, gradually went into a dive and then crashed at a steep angle. The machines were flying at about 3,000 feet. Flight Lieutenant W.H. Burbury said that he was in charge of a flight of three machines at the time. Over the aerodrome he gave the signal to break up the formation. The witness pulled over into a loop and was regaining flying speed when he saw Thompson’s machine only two yards below him and directly in front of him. He tried to avoid striking it but had not sufficient flying speed to have any real control and his airscrew struck the rudder and elevator of the other machine. He did not know why Thompson should not have seen his signal. A verdict of death by misadventure was recorded and the Coroner said that Flight Lieutenant Burbury was in no way to blame for the accident.”

HARVEY, George Henry, LAC (56025) - killed in flying accident, 27 October 1932 - Audax of No.4 (Army Cooperation) Squadron, serial K2007, following a collision with another aircraft (K2000) at Farnborough. F/O Neville Herbert Thompson (pilot) also killed.

DENNIS, Gerald Wesley, F/O and Lieutenant, RN - Died 18 November 1932

FORMAN, Donald Edward, F/O - killed 2 December 1932, pilot, in a Horsley of No.36 Squadron, Singapore Strait. Seriously injured was 560823 LAC Eric Thompson Laycock

BUCHANAN, James Osman, F/O, AAF - Died 4 December 1932

BISHOP, Eric Douglas, F/O - Died of injuries 5 December 1932 sustained in an aircraft of Hampshire Aeroplane Club - member of No.7 Squadron.

BERENS, Richard James, P/O - Killed 5 December 1932 while flying an aircraft of Hampshire Aeroplane Club - member of No.7 Squadron.

LONG, Richard, P/O, RAFO - Killed 10 December 1932

MASON, Cyril Rutherford, F/L - Died of injuries 12 December 1932, possibly sustained in crash of Wapiti J9503 of No.27 Squadron, crashed at Kohat.

MOERAN, Brian Radcliffe, A/P/O - Killed 15 December 1932 flying Avro 504N of No.4 Flying Training School.

HAYNES, Douglas James Thomas, F/L - Died 21 December 1932

CLELAND, Albert Gwillim, F/O - Killed 22 December 1932 flying Fairey IIIF of No.47 Squadron, crashed at Gedaref, Kassala Province, Sudan while cooperating with Eastern Arab Corps.

LOVELL, Albert Henry, LAC - Killed 22 December 1932 in Fairey IIIF of No.47 Squadron with F/O Cleland.

SHARMAN, Lawrence Chase, Commander, RN - died in Greenwich as result of an accident, 24 December 1932.

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

32139 P/O DRAPER, Alfred John. (Australian, born Allora, Queensland).

P/O Draper was admitted to Uxbridge RAF Hospital suffering from acute hepatitis. Later, pneumonic complications set in, and he died on 8th July, 1932, from double pneumonia. He was buried in Hillingdon Cemetery, Middlesex, with full military honours.

Col.

[davew]

Some additional data

15/2/1932 Hicks & Beatie S1332 & J8509 J File
17/3/1932 Nicholls & Richardson J8568 J File
29/4/1932 Sutton K1253 was an Avro 504 K File
21/5/1932 Gibbons Spartan G-ABTT Putnam
16/8/1932 Bankes S1528 The Times
9/9/1932 Hawkins Bristol Bulldog The Times
26/9/1932 King N9929 or N9932 FAA A/c 1920-

DaveW

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

17/02/32 - STARLEY - Fairey IIIF S1491 Marsa Scirocco, Malta.
12/03/32 - DEAN - Junkers W.33fi CF-ASI
25/04/32 - IRVEN/HAMILTON - Blackburn Ripon S1265
04/08/32 - SALT - Blackburn Bluebird IV G-AATO
15/09/32 - DAVEY/HINKIN - Supermarine Southampton II S1128
02/12/32 - FORMAN - Hawker Horsley S1449
05/12/32 - BISHOP/BERENS - De Havilland D.H.60X Moth G-AAYS

Col.

[wwrsimon]

Hugh

I have a few details:

BRUCE, William Robert - died at Netley Hospital, Hampshire - source is the National Probate Calendar

GREGORY, Ernest Walter - the National Probate Calendar: "last seen alive 1 March 1932 and his dead body was found 18 March 1932 at Home Farm, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Eden Road, Croydon." He was aged 41.
The Portsmouth Evening News of March 22 1932 reports that "his body was found in a lake in the grounds. Evidence was given that Gregory was invalided out of the R.A.F. in December 1929, on account of psycho-neurosis and was granted a 100% disability pension, as his condition was attributed to foreign service in that force...a verdict of suicide while of unsound mind' was returned."

PAINE, Sir Godfrey Marshall - his death was reported in the Portsmouth Evening News of March 24 1932: "we regret to announce the death in London yesterday of Sir Godfrey Marshall Paine, at the age of 60. Sir Godfrey...left home for London on Monday on business, and his death has come as a great shock. He had been suffering from heart trouble."

TAYLOR, Reginald Reader Hart - died aged 33 at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton - source is the National Probate Calendar

JONES, Hugh - the Dundee Courier of May 13 1932: "The death has occurred at Hatton Camp Hospital, Wendover, Bucks, of Flight-Lieutenant Hugh Jones, R.A.F., at the age of 40." The National Probate Calendar states that he died at Princess Mary's R.A.F. Hospital, Halton.

HEALING, John William Montague - the Sunderland Echo of May 13 1932 reports that his body was found at the foot of Beachy Head, and the coroner's verdict was "suicide while not of sound mind." He was 30 years of age.
The Western Daily Mail of May 14 reports that he was "a patient at the Haslar Hospital suffering from nervous debility...a police sergeant said that he found an automatic pistol, with a cartridge jammed in the breech, ten yards from the edge of the cliff. A note containing certain instructions was found on the body."

ASHTON-JINKS, Clement Philip - the Bucks Herald of June 24 1932: "A severe attack of pleurisy brought to a tragic and untimely close the promising career of a young Royal Air Force officer...Clement Philip Ashton-Jinks who had been brought to the [Princess Mary R.A.F.] hospital from the R.A.F. station at Henlow, Beds, the previous Friday with a severe attack of pleurisy. on Monday evening, whilst the nurse attending him was at the door of his private ward or a period of less than half a minute...a bump was heard and investigation proved that the patient was no longer in the ward. The window at the foot of his bed had an opening that could be reached by climbing on to a radiator, and the deceased wa found in the hospital grounds beneath...he died the same night.'

USHER, Harry James - died at the European Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt - source is the National Probate Calendar

WATKINS, Henry George - the Lincolnshire Echo of August 31 1933 reports that he was the leader of the British Arctic Air Route Expedition of 1930-31, and died after "he went out alone on a seal-hunting trip in a kayak (Eskimo canoe) in the handling of which he was an expert, but failed to return."
The Gloucestershire Echo of February 23 1933 reports that "When the King held the second investiture of the year at Buckingham Palace today he honoured a dead Arctic hero, Mr Henry George Watkins...Col. Henry Watkins, his father, received from the King's hands the polar medal awarded to his son."

SAWYER, Robert Stanley - died at Lahore, India - source is the National Probate Calendar

BAYLEY, René Maurice - the Nottingham Evening Post: "Wing Commander (Acting Group Captain) R. M. Bayley, D.F.C., air adviser to the Greek Government, died in the Red Cross Hospital in Athens of sleepy sickness, and was buried today. Group Captain Bayley was 44 years of age, and went to Athens to take up his post only last June."

SEATON, Robert Alexander - died at the Isolation Hospital, Exeter - source is the National Probate Calendar

DENNIS, Gerald Wesley - died at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, Plymouth - source is the National Probate Calendar

LONG, Richard - the Hull Daily mail of December 10 1932: "Richard Long, of Aylesbury, passenger in a Riley car entered and driven by Wincott, of Thomas Ditton [Thames Ditton?], in the London-Gloucester Reliability Trial, was killed at Evesham today when the car came into collision with a tree. Wincott escaped injury."

SHARMAN, Lawrence Chase - the Gloucester Citizen of January 2nd 1933: "Commander Lawrence Chase Sharman, R.N. of Kidbrook Park Road, Blackheath, was fatally injured in a cycling accident at Blackheath during the weekend. Commander Sharman, who was serving in the Tactical Division at the Admiralty, was a qualified pilot in the Fleet Air Arm. He formerly commanded No. 404 Flight, in H.M.S. Courageous."

Regards

Simon

[davew]

Just a few more for 1923

14 Jun Rose, Walrus N9510

11 Jul, Wake, Blackburn Blackburn N9583

8 Aug, Jacques, 504K H2002

DaveW

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

06/10/32 + F/O J L MAYER DFC. Blackburn Bluebird IV G-AATM (North Sea Aerial & General Transport Ltd., Hough). Crashed during flour-bombing display, Coal Aston, Sheffield 27/08/32.

Col.

[paulmcmillan]

DOBSON, Vernon William, F/O and Sub-Lieutenant, RN - Killed 1 October 1932 near St. Andrews, Scotland, motor car accident.
DICKSON, Robert Douglas Lindsay, F/O and Lieutenant, RN - Killed 1 October 1932 near St. Andrews, Scotland, motor car accident.

Royal-Navy History web site has 'air-crash' which is in error

Monday 03 October 1932 , Western Morning News , Devon, England
Car's Somersault Down Bank Near Cupar.
KILLED CAR CRASH
Car's Somersault Down Bank Near Cupar.
R.N. OFFICERS WHO SERVED IN WESTCOUNTRY SHIPS
Two naval sub-lieutenants attached to the Royal Air Force, in which they held the rank of flying
officer, were killed in a motor-car in Fife at about midnight on Friday.
The young officers, Sub-Lieut. Robert Douglas Lindsay Dickson (23)
who belonged to the Isle of Wight, and Sub-Lieut. Vernon William Dobson, Southsea, were returning a car with Lieut. Richard John Cooper,
R.N., also a flying officer ...
A third occupant the car—Lieutenant Richard John Cooper —escaped uninjured.

Cooper was later involved in a bale-out June 18, 1934 Blackburn Dart (unidentified) River Tay, Dundee

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

23/05/32 - BRAMLEY/MOORE.

The Squadron (No.14), had suffered its first fatal accident for four years on 23 May (1932), when Fg Off E V N Bramley and LAC G W Moore were killed in a flying accident. The aircraft was returning from the Depot when it entered a spin near Gaza and did not recover. The third occupant of the aircraft, LAC L C Menet, escaped from the aircraft by parachute.

Appendix 1. Aircraft Operated by 14 Squadron 1915-45.

A/C Type. Fairey IIIF Mk.IVM
Serial No. J9814
Date on - ?
Date off - 23 May 1932
Comments: While returning from Depot, spun in from steep LH turn 2 miles N Gaza. Aircraft subsequently rebuilt as JR9814.
Crew: F/O E V N Bramley (Pilot), Lac Moore killed. LAC Leslie C Menet OK.

See:
Winged Crusaders:The Exploits of 14 Squadron RFC & RAF 1915-1945.
Napier,Michael.
Barnsley:Pen & Sword Aviation,2012.
pp.135 & 299.

Col.

[paulmcmillan]

Col

I have the following on this incident

Popular Flying April 1935: Volume 4 Number 1: Pages 20, 21 and 22
LEAPING FOR LIFE PARACHUTING ESCAPES IN THE ROYAL AIR FORCE
By CHARLES DIXON
Too Late
A short time ago, squadrons in the Middle East had an epidemic of parachute escapes. At least a dozen members of No. 30 (Bombing) Squadron alone tested their fate with the bundle of silk and won when difficulties arose. A remarkable accident occurred with a Fairey III F. when on its way from Heliopolis in Egypt to Amman in Transjordan. There were three on board, Flying Officer E. V. N. Bramley, L/Ac. G. Moore and L/Ac. L. Menet. Only the latter survived the accident. His companions lost their lives through extraordinary errors of judgment.
When four miles north-east of Gaza, Palestine, Menet, who was trying to doze in the rear of the cockpit, was suddenly roused by the throttling back of the engine and the smell of burning rubber, the latter, he thought, coming from a fused wire in the pilot's cockpit. The pilot decided to turn back and land at Gaza, but during a left-hand turn the Fairey stalled and went down in a right-hand spin.
Seeing the pilot getting ready to leave, Menet also prepared, digging one foot in the cockpit side and steadying himself on the fuselage to seize the best moment to dive. He just missed jumping halfway through the Fairey's second spin, then got away head first at the beginning of the third, when 1,000 feet up.
As soon as his parachute opened and broke his fall, Menet looked up and saw with a shock that neither of his companions had yet jumped. The Fairey came down in a fast spin; then just before it hit the earth the other two made an ill-fated late jump. Menet saw the sudden fluttering of the small pilot-chutes but a second later the bodies hit the ground and the large canopies unfurled around them. Menet estimated that they had failed to save themselves by about two seconds. One reasonable explanation for their fatal delay is that one of them had difficulty in getting clear of the cockpit and the other stayed to assist him.
Another possible cause is that both were delayed by attempting the hard task of escaping on the outside of the spin instead of the inside—which Menet took. Pilots are flung back hard into the cockpits by trying the wrong exit.
AIR 10/1494 Report on Flying Accidents during Jan.-June 1932 Page 10 IIIF (6). Aeroplane spun out of a step left-hand turn. Occupants used parachutes: pilot and one passenger killed: One passenger landed successfully
ORB: May 1932: P/O Bramley adn LAC Moore were killed in a flying accident at Gaza when returning from Depot. The other occupant escaped injury by parachute jump.

Paul