HM Gunboat Blackfly On Loan Air Ministry Lost 26 May 1923 - 6 Casualties

[paulmcmillan]

I am, looking at RAF Losses for 1923 and came across the following

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...ks_in_May_1923


HM Gunboat Blackfly Royal Navy The Fly-class gunboat collided with a pontoon bridge over the Tigris at Baghdad, Iraq and sank with the loss of six crew.

She was actually on loan to the Air Ministry and the loss of 6 crew included 5 RAF Airmen who were

Aircraftman 2nd Class Robert Fulton STORRIE #340287 aged approx. 24
Aircraftman 2nd Class (Acting Corporal) Thomas Burt STEVENS #350282 aged approx. 32
Aircraftman 2nd Class John SEARLE #342572 -- aged approx 22 Probably actually John
Leaile
Devon
1920
342572
Seaman (M Marine)
1902

Corporal Frederick James MORTIMER #345394 aged approx 25 possible "Mortimore"
Aircraftman 2nd Class Thomas McCORMACK #344052 aged approx 22

The 6th crewman is reported as an Indian national (unnamed)

I need to check BMD records for SEARLE and MORTIMER

Paul

This was very significant loss of personnel in one incident for the period and I cannot find really anything online about it

Anyone else find/known much else - I cannot even find the unit the airmen were with - it is possible the service files on FWP or Fold3 may reveal more


I am unsure that Thomas Burt STEVENS would make such a large acting rank jump..
Paul

[wwrsimon]

Paul

The accident was reported in several newspapers at the end of May 1923, but with very few details, unfortunately.

From fold3.com and FMP:

Robert Fulton STORRIE - his R.A.F. record states that he 'drowned as the result of an accident to H.M.R.O. Blackfly.' Born September 10th 1901.

Thomas Burt STEVENS 350282 - his R.A.F. record states that he 'died on 26.5.23, as a result of an accident to Defence Vessel "Blackfly"'. He was appointed A/Cpl in December 1922, then 'Reverts on Posting to AC2, 17.5.23.' Last posting looks to be 'Air HQ's - A. Depot' on 17.5.23. Born February 24th 1891.

John SEARLE 342572 - John LEAILE 342592, whose R.A.F. record also state that he 'died as a reult of accident to H.M.S. Blackfly.' His last posting looks like 'A.W. Iraq - A.H.Q. Iraq' on March 10th 1923? Born March 1st 1902.

Frederick James MORTIMER 345394 - Frederick James Mortimore, whose R.A.F. records also state 'died as a reult of accident to H.M.S. Blackfly.' His last posting also looks like 'A.W. Iraq - A.H.Q. Iraq' on April 2nd 1923. Born June 8th 1898.

Thomas McCORMACK 344052 - his R.A.F. record states that he 'died as a reult of accident to H.M.S. Blackfly.' His last posting also looks to be 'A.W. Iraq - Air H.Q' on Mmarch 10th 1923. Born April 16th 1901.

Regards

Simon

[wwrsimon]

A quick update:

John SEARLE 342572 - Air 78/141 confirms 342572 SEARLE J.

In my defence the handwriting on his form is fairly illegible. On the front his surname looks like Leaile and his Service Number looks like 342592, and on the back his surname looks like Seaile. Sorry!

His N.o.K. is recorded as Mrs. G. R. Heath, of 4 (or 45?) St. Michael's Terrace, Stoke, Devonport.

Regards

Simon

[paulmcmillan]

Simon

Thanks Its Mortimore as per Service Record Name

Births Sep 1899 (>99%)
Mortimore Frederick James St. Thomas 5b 41

[paulmcmillan]

Also I wonder what A W Iraq means - looked in 1922 AFL and no clue

[malcolm_raf]

Also I wonder what A W Iraq means - looked in 1922 AFL and no clue

Paul

There was a unit known as - Inland Water Transport based in Basrah with a detachment in Baghdad, which would be logical 'owner' of Blackfly

Malcolm

[paulmcmillan]

https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/C5318656