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Aviation History
1917
1917 - 0140.PDF
Casualties. Lieutenant GODFREY B. J. FIRBANK, R.F.C., aged 22,eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey Firbank, of Aldwick Court, Wrington, Somerset, who has been missing since Septembernth, is now reported to have been killed, the American Embassy, Berlin, stating that his machine was shot down inan air battle on that day, the aeroplane wrecked, and the occupants killed. Lieutenant Firbank was educated at St.Peter's, Weston-super-Mare, and at Clifton College. When war broke out he was farming in South Airica. He at oncejoined the Eastern Rifles, and served during the rebellion in South Africa and with General Botha's Army in GermanSouth-West Africa. When the campaign ended he came home, was gazetted to the Welsh Regiment, and at the end ofDecember, 1915, transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. Second Lieutenant GILBERT S. HALL, R.F.C,, only son of Mr.and Mrs. Robert Hall, of Greenaleigh, Matlock, died of wounds in an enemy hospital at Cambrai, on November 30th last.Born in 1891, he was educated at Mill Hill School, and was a graduate of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Hejoined the Royal Flying Corps in November, 1915, and after training went to the front in May, 1916. While on patrolwork his machine was shot down, the observer being killed at once. Lieutenant Hall died of his injuries ten days later.He was well known in motoring circles. The Rev. J. Stewart, Erskine U.F. Church, Chirnside, hasreceived information that his son, Lieutenant STEWART,R.N.A.S., has been killed in action. Second Lieutenant STANLEY W. WOODLEY, R.F.C., whosedeath is announced, was the only child of Mr. W. S. Woodley, of Erskine Hill, Hendon, N.W. Second Lieutenant Woedley,who received his commission in November, 1915, went to the front in July of last year. He had received mention in de-spatches. He was a promising young architect and surveyor, a probationer of the Royal Institute of British Architects,and served under the late Mr. G. L. Sutcliffe, F.R.I.B.A., architect to Copartnership Tenants (Limited), HampsteadGarden Suburb. Captain (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel, R.F.C.) GEORGE AUBREY KENNEDY LAWRENCE, D.S.O., Royal Field Artillery,who was killed while flying in England on January 28th, was 25 years of age and the youngest son of Major-General W. A.Lawrence and Mrs. Lawrence, of Pembroke Gardens, Kensing- ton, late of Sandhurst, Berkshire. Captain Lawrence passedout of Woolwich into the Royal Artillery in December, 1911, and in September, 1914, he was attached to the Royal FlyingCorps ; he was gazetted Captain in the Royal Artillery in August, 1916, and was Major in the Royal Flying Corps in the same year. He had served with great distinction in thewar, and his award of the D.S.O. was gazetted in November,. 1915, in the following terms : " For conspicuous and repeatedacts of gallantry in France, notably the following : On- September 21st, 1915, he completed a reconnaissance to-points 60 miles inside the German lines, although repeatedly attacked by a hostile machine. On September 25th he at-tacked and hit a moving train near Lille, descending to- 600 ft. On September 26th lie attacked and drove off ahostile aeroplane which was interfering with our bombing: machines. On September 30th he carried out a three-hourreconnaissance in very bad weather. Although his machine was hit in 70 places by anti-aircraft guns on crossing theGerman lines on his way out, he carried on and completed his work." He was received by the King at BuckinghamPalace on December 9th, 1914, and was invested with the Insignia of the Companionship of the Distinguished ServiceOrder. Missing and Prisoners of War. Flight Lieutenant SYDNEY ALDER, R.F.C., who- has beenreported missing, is the elder son of the late Mr. Sydney Alder, and grandson of the late Mr. Gilbert Alder and of Mrs. Alder,of Hargrave, Stansted, Essex. He formerly held a commis- sion in the Sherwood Foresters, and was wounded at theBattle of Loos. Captain PHILIP HUNT, Shropshire Yeomanry, attached!R.F.C., previously reported missing, is now reported to be wounded and a prisoner in German hands. Married and to be Married. Flight Sub-Lieutenant MICHAEL BIRKBECK, R.N., sonof the late Mr. William John Birkbeck, of Stratton Strawless, Norwich, was on February 3rd at St. Barnabas' Church,Pimlico, married to LETTIE, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. HUGH ELLIOT, of Byfleet, Surrey. Captain A. R. STANLEY CLARKE, M.C., Dorest Regiment,attached R.F.C., only son of Mrs. and Mrs. C. H. Stanley- Clarke, of Berghmote, Wimborne, was on January 31st, atAlmondsbury, married to MARJORIE, elder daughter of Mr.and Mrs. HIATT BAKER, of Oaklands, Almondsbury. EDMUND WILFRID SHARPE, Yeomanry, attached R.F.C.,second son of Mr. Edmund Sharpe and Mrs. Sharpe, of Halton Hall, Lancaster, was married at Christ Church, Ealing, onJanuary 27th, to ELEANOR ALICE, " NOREEN," eldest daughterof Mr. W. H. PERSSE and Mrs. PERSSE, 44, Craven Avenue,Ealing. The marriage arranged between Captain A. F. SOMERSET- LEEKE, R.F.C., and Miss WINIFRED R. HELDER, of Lyndhurst,Whitehaven, will take place at St. John's Church, Hensingham, Whitehaven, on February 19th, at 11.45 arn- Fatal Accidents. AT the inquest at Farnborough on January 26th on2nd Lieut. P. Evans, R.F.C., the evidence appeared to show that the pilot attempted to make a sharp left turn when themachine was climbing too steeply. From 500 ft. the machine nose-dived for 200 ft. and then started to the left, apparentlyout of control. The engine was still running when the machine struck the ground, and the wreck caught fire. Averdict of " Accidental Death " was returned. A similar verdict was returned at the inquest on Jan-uary 30th on Major F. W. Goodden. The Coroner said that Major Goodden's death was a loss not only to the country,but also to the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Aircraft Factory. He was one of the best pilots in the s.rvice, secondto none. He knew him personally as a friend. On many occasions he had been before them for the purpose of givingexpert evidence in flying accidents, and now he had met his own death. Mr. Henry Fowler, Superintendent of the RoyalAircraft Factory, said he would like to express the same thoughts as the Coroner had done as to the great loss theyhad sustained by the death of Major Goodden. Lieut .-Col. Heckstall-Smith said it was the duty of deceased to testevery new type of machine turned out from the factory, and he took the first risk. Witness considered the machine—which deceased had flown over to France—thoroughly satis- factory. It was stated that after being in the air for about15 minutes the machine was seen to make a left and right turn at a height of about 1,000 to 1,500 ft., and then started on a gradual left turn. The planes on the left side appearedto collapse, the machine side-slipped for about 150 ft. and then nose-dived practically vertical to the ground with thewings folded up. The machine struck the ground and was completely smashed ; there was no fire.Another inquest was held on January 30th on 2nd Air- Mech. B. Hodgson, who had died early the same morningfrom injuries received on the previous day. It appears that a machine piloted by Lieut. Crossfield left the aerodrome atFarnborough, but did not rise quick enough, and the pilot, fearing he would foul some trees, banked the machine sosteeply that it side-slipped. The deceased was pinned under the wreck and died from a fracture to the skull. Thepilot was severely injured. A verdict of " Accidental Death " was returned. " Death from Misadventure " was the verdict at an inquestheld on January 25th on Flight-Sergt. J. B. Hartnell, who was killed in an accident in Kent. It was stated that themachine on which deceased was a passenger lost flying speed and made a nose-dive from about 500 ft. At an inquest on 2nd Lieut. H. N. Sharpe, R.F.C., held onJanuary 30th, it was stated that while flying at a height of about 500 ft. he made a right-hand turn which was flat andin insufficient bank. The result was that the machine spun and then fell straight to the ground, the officer being killedinstantly. The wreckage, when examined, disclosed no evidence of the controls being jammed or any defectsin the machine. A verdict of " Accidental Death " was returned. I4O
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