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Aviation History
1912
1912 - 0837.PDF
SEPTEMBER 14, 1912. 1/51013 THE ARMY FATALITIES. IT is with the very sincerest regret that we have to formally record the two calamities by which the Royal Flying Corps has been deprived of the services of four excellent pilots. We refer to the matter editorally on page 828. The first accident, which involved the lives of Capt. Hamilton, the pilot, and Lieut. Wyness-Stuart, occurred on Friday last week at Graveley, near Welwyn. They were taking part in a reconnaissance in connection with the manoeuvres, and had started at 6.IO a.m. from Wallingford, near Hitchin, to scout in the direction of Hardwicke. As far as Aylesbury the two officers, who were on the Deperdussin monoplane which had secured second prize in the recent Military Trials, were accompanied by Major Brooke-Popham on a biplane, who then went ahead. They were flying at an altitude of 2,500 ft. According to the evidence at the inquest the machine was noticed to be wobbling as it approached Graveley. There was then a loud report, and the machine collapsed, several parts being scattered as the machine fell. Both occupants were pinned beneath the wreck, and had apparently been killed instantaneously. At the inquest Mr. Fritz Koolhoven, of Regent Street, works :manager of the British Deperdussin Aeroplane Company, said that in his opinion the accident was caused by a part of the engine coming off and hitting the bonnet over the engine, smashing one of the wing wires, and thus loosening the wings. When this happened the wings would double up, and the plane would fall. He was quite certain this was the cause of the accident, but which wire was hit he could not tell. Major Brooke-Popham also gave similar evidence, and said he did not think the weather had anything to do with the accident. A verdict of accidental death was returned by the jury, which expressed its sympathy with the relatives and friends. They added that the deceased officers were brave men, and met the death of brave men. They hoped that their untimely end would not deter A memento of the late Capt. Hamilton, who was killed whilst flying near Hitchin with Lieut. Wyness-Stuart. This card was sent us by Capt. Hamilton and Mr, G. M- Dyott from America last year, where the two were flying at the time. Capt. Hamilton was one of the old pupils of the late M. Petltpierre at the Hendon Bleiriot School, and both he and Mr. Dyott, who was also a pupil of Petltpierre, had the greatest admiration for their helpful instructor, to whom they jointly presented a mark of their appreciation last August twelvemonth. By Capt. Hamilton s death the Army has indeed lost a valuable officer. others from emulating their devotion to the interests of their King and country. The second accident was on Tuesday last and occurred to a Bristol monoplane while being piloted by Second Lieut. E. Second Lieut. Hotchklss who was killed in company with Lieut. Bettington on Tuesday. The late Lieut. Wyness-Stuart, R.F.C. (late of the Special Reserve Royal Artillery), who was one of the unfortunate victims in the terrible disaster which overtook Capt. Hamilton near Hitchin on Friday last week. 837
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