Served with 1 Sqd, 3 Sqd RFC and 7 Sqd (Training), 8 Sqd (Training) Australian Flying Corps
The Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 was a British two-seat biplane reconnaissance and bomber aircraft of the First World War designed and produced at the Royal Aircraft Factory. It was also built under contract by Austin Motors, Daimler, Standard Motors, Siddeley-Deasy and the Coventry Ordnance Works.
A3541
00Apr17 Built as Serial A3541 the 11th of 150 Royal Aircraft Factory designed RE8 reconnaissance/bomber aircraft built under license in the Serial Range A3531 to A3680 by the Daimler Motor Car Co Ltd at their factory in Radford, Coventry UK. Built to Contract 87/A/785 dated 6th September 1916. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No.27928.
00Apr17 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps at No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park, Coventry for acceptance checks and tests.
00Apr17 Allocated to the Expeditionary Force, France.
01May17 Despatched by air to No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot (1ASD) at St Omer airfield, Nord Pas-de-Calais France.
01Jun17 Received for use by No.5 (AC) Sqn RFC near Arras, France. Issued to B Flight.
09Aug17 Detached with B Flight to Moeres airfield near Messines in northern France as part of RFC 4th Brigade.
05Dec17 Received for repair and/or servicing by 1ASD.
00Mar18 The 140hp Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No.27928 was replaced by No.677/WD3793.
00Mar18 Allocated to No.3 (AC) Sqn, Australian Flying Corps at Abeele airfield in Belgium.
26Mar18 Lt A.W Rees and Lt G.A Paul departed 1ASD Issues Section, Rely airfield at 1345hrs for the 35 min ferry trip to Abeele. Aircraft issued to B Flight and assigned to Lt A.W Rees.
28Mar18 Departed Abeele airfield for 1st Combat Mission; an 80min Artillery Reconnaissance. Flown by Lt A.W Rees and Lt G.A Paul.
07Apr18 Moved from Abeele airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Poulainville airfield, 5km north of Amiens, France. One of six B Flight machines, flown by Lt A.W Rees and Lt G.A Paul, that departed at 0930hrs for the 40min ferry flight to Poulainville.
11Apr18 Lt A.W Rees and Lt G.A Paul departed Poulainville at 1405hrs for a familiarization flight over the front lines at Henencourt accompanied by Lt T.L Simpson (B3420) and Lt N.S Love (B6576). At 1440hrs the three aircraft were attacked by six Enemy Albatross D Scouts. In the ensuing dogfight A3541 crash landed in allied territory. Both Rees and Paul were wounded and hospitalised with the 5th Casualty Clearance Station [5CCS] at Tincourt near Amiens.
2nd Lt Aubrey William Rees (24) engineer of Parramatta, NSW sustained severe head, eye and facial wounds and was transferred from 5CCS to the RFC Hospital, Eaton Square, London where he remained until his repatriation to Australia in August 1918.
Lt George Alfred Paul (24) electrician of Keswick, SA sustained severe gunshot wounds to the left arm and upper torso was transferred from 5CCS to the RFC Hospital, Eaton Square, London where he remained until his repatriation to Australia in August 1918.
14Apr18 The aircraft was recovered by a salvage team, loaded onto a Crossley Tender and transported for assessment to No.2 Aeroplane Supply Depot (2ASD) at Fienvillers, 22km NNW of Amiens.
15Apr18 Aircraft assessed as Not Worthy of Repair. Struck off charge and converted to spares.
A3661
00Jun17 Built as Serial A3661 the 131st of 150 Royal Aircraft Factory designed RE8 reconnaissance/bomber aircraft built under license in the Serial Range A3531 to A3680 by the Daimler Motor Car Co Ltd at their factory in Radford, Coventry UK. Built to Contract 87/A/785 dated 6th September 1916. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No.30559WD20687.
00Jul17 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps at No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park, Coventry for acceptance checks and tests.
14Jul17 Allocated to the Expeditionary Force, France.
31Jul17 Allocation cancelled. Reallocated to No.69 (Australian) Sqn at RFC Station South Carlton near Lincoln, Lincolnshire UK.
00Aug17 Received by 69 Sqn issued to B Flight. Assigned to Lt S.G Garrett.
21Aug17 Departed South Carlton at 0900 hrs flown by Lt Garrett and 695 1/Air Mechanic H.N Bromfield as one of six B Flight machines on deployment to France with a planned refuelling at RFC Station Lympne in Kent then across the Channel to St Omer airfield in France. However, at Lympne Inspectors from the RFC Aircraft Inspection Department grounded all the aircraft with technical defects in the engine bearers.
09Sep17 After an 18 day delay attributable to technical defects and abysmal weather the aircraft departed RFC Lympne with the entire Squadron and flew to St Omer airfield Pas-de-Calais, France for a planned overnight stop.
10Sep17 Departed St Omer 0900 hrs and flew to the Squadron’s new Operating Base at Savy-Berlette airfield 18km NW of Arras in Pas-de-Calais, France.
12Sep17 For the next month the machine flew many practice missions and familiarization flights before the Squadron was tasked to move to the Front and begin Operational Missions.
14Sep17 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No.30559WD20687 replaced by No.30552WD20701 at 1330hrs.
16Sep17 Lt S.G Garrett and Lt A. V Barrow departed Savy at 1430hrs on a practice Artillery Flash Observation patrol. At 1545hrs the aircraft was heading home when the engine began misfiring causing the crew to make an emergency landing at 5 Sqn RFC, where temporary repairs were effected before they returned to Savy at 1505hrs. Following some quick maintenance Lt S.G Garrett and Fitter SGT P.J Pearce flew a successful 30min engine test flight at 1745hrs
18Sep17 Lt S.G Garrett and No.6607 D.H Oldfield flew a 20min engine test flight at 1530hrs
28Sep17 Lt S.G Garrett and Fitter No.669 SGT L.O Gyngell flew a 20min engine test flight at 0940hrs
01Oct17 Lt S.G Garrett and Fitter No.556 SGT P.J Pearce flew a 40min engine test flight at 1125hrs
05Oct17 Lt S.G Garrett and Lt A. V Barrow departed Savy at 1110hrs on a practice Artillery Shoot Observation flight. 10min after take-off Garrett was forced to abort the mission and RTB with a misfiring engine.
00Oct17 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No. 30552WD20701 replaced by No.30947WD31008
18Oct17 Lt S.G Garrett and Fitter No.556 SGT P.J Pearce flew a 40min engine test flight at 1045hrs
20Oct17 Lt S.G Garrett and Fitter 1/AM G.T Knox flew a 40min engine test flight at 1100hrs.
21Oct17 Lt S.G Garrett and Lt E.R Dibbs departed Savy at 1500hrs for a 30min travel flight to 11Sqn RFC to have RFC specialists conduct a Compass Swing. RTB the following day.
08Nov17 1st Combat Mission flown by Lt S.G Garrett and Lt A.V Barrow. A full squadron effort of 15 aircraft was launched in support of a XIII Corps attack in the Oppy Region. Lt Garrett and Lt Barrow departed Savy at 1135hrs leading four other B Flight aircraft to drop 4 x 20lb HE Bombs on German positions in the village of Neuvireul. The aircraft and crews involved were:
A3661 Lt S.G Garrett and Lt A.V Barrow. A4439 Lt H.C Miller and Lt V.P Barbat
A3662 Lt N. Clark and Lt B.L Learmonth B5081 Lt H.N Wrigley and Lt J.R Blair
A3755 Lt T.L Simpson and Lt W.N.E Scott.
On the return leg the flight became separated because of foul weather and Garrett was forced to land at the 13th Wing Advanced Landing Ground until the storm front passed on.
16Nov17 Lt S.G Garrett and Lt A. V Barrow departed Savy-Berlette airfield at 1530hrs for the ferry flight to the Squadron’s new Operating Base at Bailleul aerodrome, 18km SW of Ypres, France. At 1600 hrs a forced landing was made at an RFC field owing to engine problems. The magneto was repaired and the crew flew to Bailleul without further incident.
04Dec17 Lt S.G Garrett and Lt A. V Barrow flew a successful 45min post maintenance test flight.
06Dec17 Lt S.G Garrett and Lt A. V Barrow flew a successful 55min engine test flight.
16Dec17 While conducting an Artillery Observation the aircraft was hit by AA fire, shooting away some cabane wires in the port wing and breaking the tappet rod cover. Lt S.G Garrett and Lt A. V Barrow successfully returned to base and made an uneventful landing. Damage repaired overnight.
03Feb18 Lt S.G Garrett and Lt A. V Barrow flew a successful 25min post maintenance test flight.
23Feb18 Crash landed at Bailleul airfield after a local training flight. Lt S.G Garrett and Lt A.V Barrow sustained minor cuts and abrasions and the aircraft was deemed repairable at the Unit.
00Mar18 Returned to Service.
23Mar18 Moved from Bailleul airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Abeele airfield in Belgium.
07Apr18 Moved from Abeele airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Poulainville airfield, 5km north of Amiens, France. One of six B Flight machines, flown by Lt S.G Garrett and Lt A. V Barrow, that departed at 0930hrs for the 90min ferry flight to Poulainville.
17Apr18 Lt S.G Garrett and Lt A.V Barrow departed Poulainville at 1010hrs with Lt T’L Simpson and Lt F.C Banks (B6576) to carry out a photographic reconnaissance of the Corps Front. When approaching Hamel at 7,000ft Simpson and Banks were attacked by four Fokker Dr.I Triplanes from Richthofen’s Circus. Banks fired 120 rounds into one of the attackers which promptly fell away out of control. The remaining three Fokkers then made a desultory attack on Garrett and Barrow but broke away after a single pass. Both pilots then completed their photography mission.
Note: It was on this day that Baron von Richthofen was shot down and killed; the aircraft that attacked Simpson and Garrett were part of the famous Circus.
03May18 Lt S.G Garrett and Lt C.W Gray departed at 1135hrs for a Photo Reconnaissance Mission in the Arras. At 1150hrs an engine failure resulted in a forced landing in a field. Engine fitter SGT 669 SGT L.P Gyngell went to the aircraft, repaired the engine and flew with Lt Garrett on the relocation flight to the Squadron’s new operating airfield at Flesselles airfield near Villers Bocage, 12km north of Amiens, France.
27Jun18 Lt P.H Kerr and Lt A. O’Connor-Brook departed at 1900hrs for an Artillery Observation sortie. After completing the Shoot the aircraft headed home and at 2100hrs was attacked by a Pfalz Scout. Lt Brook was killed in the attack and Lt Kerr was wounded in the head and upper torso. Despite his serious wounds Lt Kerr managed to crash land near Pont Noyelles, 12km SE of Flesselles airfield. Lt Kerr and Lt Brook were taken to No.61 Casualty Clearance Station at Vignacourt.
Lt Percy Harrington Kerr (28) a Station Manager from Fremantle WA was wounded in the head and right leg. He was transferred from 61CCS to No.8 General Field Hospital in Rouen before being transferred to a series of hospitals in England. He returned to active service in Oct18 and survived the War.
AFC Observer 525 Lt Arthur O’Connor-Brook (23) single of Dederang VIC was buried in Section IV.A, Grave No.14 of the Vignacourt British Cemetery in Picardie, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
Vignacourt British Cemetery, Picardie France
30Jun18 Aircraft wreckage loaded onto a Crossley Tender and transported to No.2 Aeroplane Supply Depot (2ASD) at Fienvillers, 22km NNW of Amiens.
05Jul18 Aircraft assessed as Not Worthy of Repair. Struck off charge and converted to spares.
A3674
00Jun17 Built as Serial A3674 the 144th of 150 Royal Aircraft Factory designed RE8 reconnaissance/bomber aircraft built under license in the Serial Range A3531 to A3680 by the Daimler Motor Car Co Ltd at their factory in Radford, Coventry UK. Built to Contract 87/A/785 dated 6th September 1916. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No.30563WD20715.
00Jul17 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps at No.1 Southern Area Repair Depot for acceptance checks and tests.
04Oct17 Allocated to the Expeditionary Force, France.
10Oct17 Flown by a RFC Ferry Pilot from SARD to No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot (1ASD) at St Omer airfield, Nord Pas-de-Calais France.
00Oct17 Allocated to No.69 (Australian) Squadron at Savy-Berlette airfield, 15km north east of Arras, France.
14Oct17 Flown from 1ASD to No.2 Aeroplane Supply Depot (2ASD) at Fienvillers, 22km NNW of Amiens.
24Oct17 2nd Lt W.L King departed 2ASD at 1120hrs for the 30min ferry flight to Savy-Berlette airfield. At 1140hrs the engine failed and Lt King made a crash landing in a field 4km south of St. Pol. The aircraft was extensively damaged and Lt King sustained several injuries.
2nd Lt William Lyttle King (24) of Campbelltown NSW sustained a fractured humerus, multiple contusions and head injuries and was admitted to No.12 Stationary Hospital at Rouen. He was later transferred to the 3rd London General Military Hospital in Wandsworth and eventually repatriated back to Australia in Jan18.
26Oct17 Aircraft recovered to 2ASD where it was assessed as Unworthy of Repair, Struck off charge and reduced to spares.
A3755
00Jun17 Built as Serial A3755 the 75th of 150 Royal Aircraft Factory designed RE8 reconnaissance/bomber aircraft built under license in the Serial Range A3681 to A3830 by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co Ltd at their factory in Coventry UK. Built to Contract 87/A/785 dated 16th September 1916. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No.880WD4747
00Jul17 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps at No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park, Coventry for acceptance checks and tests.
00Jul17 Allocated to the Expeditionary Force, France.
00Jul17 Allocation cancelled. Reallocated to No.69 (Australian) Sqn at RFC Station South Carlton near Lincoln, Lincolnshire UK.
00Aug17 Received by 69 Sqn issued to B Flight. Assigned to Major D.V.J Blake.
21Aug17 Departed South Carlton at 0930 hrs flown by MAJ V.J Blake and 607 1/Air Mechanic D.H Oldfield as one of six B Flight machines on deployment to France with a planned refuelling at RFC Station Lympne in Kent then across the Channel to St Omer airfield in France. However, at Lympne Inspectors from the RFC Aircraft Inspection Department grounded all the aircraft with technical defects in the engine bearers.
09Sep17 After an 18 day delay attributable to technical defects and abysmal weather the aircraft departed RFC Lympne with the entire Squadron and flew to St Omer airfield Pas-de-Calais, France for a planned overnight stop.
10Sep17 Departed St Omer 0900 hrs and flew to the Squadron’s new Operating Base at Savy-Berlette airfield 18km NW of Arras in Pas-de-Calais, France.
15Sep17 CPT H.H Storrer and Lt W.N.E Scott departed Savy at 1420hrs on a 2hr Practice Patrol. In reality however the aircraft flew a Flash Reconnaissance over enemy lines and came under AA fire, which means this was the aircraft’s 1st combat mission.
17Oct17 CPT H.H Storer and 2nd Lt H.E Houghton departed Savy-Berlette at 0955 hrs for a Line Patrol but at 1010 hrs the engine failed and the aircraft aborted the mission and returned to Base.
08Nov17 1st Combat Mission flown by Lt T.L Simpson and Lt W.N.E Scott. A full squadron effort of 15 aircraft was launched in support of a XIII Corps attack in the Oppy Region. Lt Simpson and Lt Scott departed Savy at 1135hrs as one of five B Flight aircraft led by Lt S.G Garrett [A3661] to drop 4 x 20lb HE Bombs on German positions in the village of Neuvireul. The aircraft and crews involved were:
A3661 Lt S.G Garrett and Lt A.V Barrow. A4439 Lt H.C Miller and Lt V.P Barbat
A3662 Lt N. Clark and Lt B.L Learmonth B5081 Lt H.N Wrigley and Lt J.R Blair
A3755 Lt T.L Simpson and Lt W.N.E Scott.
16Nov17 Moved from Savy-Berlette airfield to the Squadron’s new Operating Base at Bailleul aerodrome, 18km SW of Ypres, France. Flown by CPT H.H Storrer and Lt W.N.E Scott.
02Dec17 CPT H.H Storrer and Lt W.N.E Scott departed Bailleul at 1045 hrs on an Artillery Direction & Observation mission. On that particular day the aircraft were forced to take off on an unfamiliar heading due to abnormally strong winds from an unusual direction. Unfortunately, immediately after lift-off Storrer could not gain sufficient height to avoid trees and had to turn but in doing so the aircraft stalled and crashed into the brick wall boundary on the western side of the strip. The machine burst into flames on impact and both crewmen were incinerated in the conflagration.
AFC Pilot Captain Henry Haig Storrer (28) married of Geelong VIC is buried in Section III Grave No F.46 of the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord), Lille in Nord Pas de Calais Prefecture, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
AFC Observer Lieutenant William Norman Eric Scott (23) single of Elsternwick, Melbourne VIC is buried in Section III Grave No F.47 of the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord), Lille in Nord Pas de Calais Prefecture, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
A3772
00Jun17 Built as Serial A3772 the 92nd of 150 Royal Aircraft Factory designed RE8 reconnaissance/bomber aircraft built under license in the Serial Range A3681 to A3830 by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co Ltd at their factory in Coventry UK. Built to Contract 87/A/785 dated 16th September 1916. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No. 3999WD4866
00Jul17 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps at No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park (1AAP), Coventry for acceptance checks and tests.
00Jul17 Allocated to the Expeditionary Force, France
23Jul17 Allocation cancelled. Reallocated to No.69 (Australian) Sqn at RFC Station South Carlton near Lincoln, Lincolnshire UK.
27Jul17 Ferry Pilot Lt R.C Trout departed 1AAP at Radford airfield for the delivery flight to Lympne airfield. One mile north of Radford airfield the aircraft nosed over and crashed, killing the pilot and destroying the aircraft.
01Aug17 AFC pilot Lieutenant Roy Cumestree Trout (22) single of Redhill, Brisbane QLD was buried in the Old Cemetery Section of the Coventry Cemetery, Warwickshire UK. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
Australian War Memorial, Canberra
A3816
00Jul17 Built as Serial A3816 the 136th of 150 Royal Aircraft Factory designed RE8 reconnaissance/bomber aircraft built under license in the Serial Range A3681 to A3830 by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co Ltd at their factory in Coventry UK. Built to Contract 87/A/785 dated 16th September 1916. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No.30538WD20862.
00Augl17 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps at No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park, Coventry for acceptance checks and tests.
00Aug17 Allocated to the Expeditionary Force, France and flown to No.8 AAP at RFC Station Lympne, Kent for embarkation preparation.
00Aug17 Allocation cancelled. Reallocated to No.69 (Australian) Sqn at RFC Station South Carlton near Lincoln, Lincolnshire UK.
00Aug17 Received by 69 Sqn issued to A Flight. Assigned to Lt J.L Sandy
21Aug17 Departed South Carlton at 0930 hrs flown by Lt J.L Sandy and 610 2/AM H.A.S Turnbull as one of six A Flight machines on deployment to France with a planned refuelling at RFC Station Lympne in Kent then across the Channel to St Omer airfield in France. However, at Lympne Inspectors from the RFC Aircraft Inspection Department grounded all the aircraft with technical defects in the engine bearers.
09Sep17 After an 18 day delay attributable to technical defects and abysmal weather the aircraft departed RFC Lympne with the entire Squadron and flew to St Omer airfield Pas-de-Calais, France for a planned overnight stop.
10Sep17 Departed St Omer 0900 hrs and flew to the Squadron’s new Operating Base at Savy-Berlette airfield 18km NW of Arras in Pas-de-Calais, France.
12Sep17 For the next few weeks the machine flew many practice missions and familiarization flights in preparation for Operational Missions.
20Sep17 Lt J.L Sandy and SGT W.E.B Neilson departed for a local training flight at 1525hrs. At 1529hrs the engine began to lose power rapidly and Lt Sandy was fortunate to turn back and land at the airfield.
21Sep17 Lt J.L Sandy and SGT W.E.B Neilson departed for a local training flight at 1100hrs. At 1110hrs the engine began to lose pressure and Lt Sandy returned to the airfield.
25Sep17 Lt J.L Sandy and 2/AM F.J Maher (Engine Fitter) flew a successful 40min engine test flight.
26Sep17 Lt J.L Sandy and SGT W.E.B Neilson departed for a Practice Artillery Shoot at 1450hrs. At 1510hrs the engine began to lose power [yet again] and Lt Sandy returned to the airfield.
Lt J.L Sandy and FSGT A. Taylor (Fitter) flew a successful engine test flight at 1600hrs.
02Oct17 1st Combat Mission. Lt J.L Sandy and SGT W.E.B Neilson departed for a Line Patrol in the Lens area.
08Nov17 A full squadron effort of 15 aircraft was launched in support of a XIII Corps attack in the Oppy Region. Lt J.L Sandy and SGT E.B Nielson departed Savy at 1150hrs as one of six A Flight aircraft to each drop 2 x 40lb Smoke Bombs in front of German positions to prevent artillery observation from the Chez Bontemps ridgeline. The aircraft and crews involved were:
A3815 CPT W.H Anderson and Lt J.R Bell A3816 Lt J.L Sandy and SGT E.B Nielson
A3817 Lt E.J Jones and Lt E.R Dibbs A4758 Lt C.H Kindred and Lt R.H Viner
B3435 Lt S.R Harper and Lt O. Paull. B5018 Lt R.G.D Francis and SGT R. Mainsworth
16Nov17 Moved from Savy-Berlette airfield to the Squadron’s new Operating Base at Bailleul aerodrome, 18km SW of Ypres, France. Flown by Lt J.L Sandy and SGT W.E.B Neilson.
17Dec17 On this day an extraordinary event occurred. The following account describes the event in detail:
'Lieutenant James Sandy with his observer, Sergeant Henry Hughes, was ranging artillery fire for the 8-inch Howitzers of the 151st Siege Battery. 35 minutes after they'd started, they were attacked by six Albatross D.5a Scouts. Lieutenant Sandy fought them off and, before long, he'd shot one down close to Armentieres.
About then, Lt E.J Jones and Lt K.C Hodgson, who happened to be nearby, came to Sandy's assistance. Within a few minutes, the remaining enemy aircraft broke off the fight and headed for their own lines. (In itself, this wasn't unusual because German pilots generally held great respect for the RE8 with the pilot's propeller-synchronised Vickers machine gun and the observer's Lewis gun to defend the rear.) After the enemy aircraft had left, both of the other RE8s clearly saw that Sandy's RE8 A3816, with the unmistakable letter B on the fuselage ... was flying straight and steady, so they waved a farewell and flew off to resume their own assignments. However, Sandy's wireless messages directing the Artillery Battery had ceased transmission. By nightfall, A3816 had not returned to the aerodrome. On the following night, a telegram from Number 12 Stationery Hospital at St. Pol told of finding the bodies of the two airmen in their grounded RE8 in a neighbouring field. A post-mortem of the bodies and an examination of the RE8 showed that both pilot and observer had been killed in aerial combat and that the RE8 had flown itself around in wide left-hand circles until its petrol ran out.
What had happened was that a single enemy armour-piercing bullet had passed through the observer's left lung and thence into the base of the pilot's skull. The RE8 came down 50 miles south-west of the battle scene out of skies that hadn't seen any other aerial combat that day. It had crash-landed without further injuring the bodies of the airmen and with the throttle still wide open. The aircraft itself was not badly damaged in spite of its uncontrolled 50 mile flight and this, in itself, was a classic example of the stability and flying qualities of the RE8.'
AFC Pilot Lieutenant James Lionel Montague Sandy (32) single of Ashfield, Sydney is buried in Grave H.8 of the St Pol Communal Cemetery Extension, St Pol-sur-Ternoise in Nord Pas de Calais, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
AFC Fitter 559 Sergeant Henry Francis Hughes (28) single of South Yarra, Melbourne is buried in Grave H.10 of the St Pol Communal Cemetery Extension, St Pol-sur-Ternoise in Nord Pas de Calais, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
St. Pol Community Cemetery Extension, France
Postscript:
The Albatross D5a that Lt Sandy forced down had crashed in the lines of the 21st Battalion, 2nd Australian Division AIF and the pilot, Leutnant Rudolf Clausz was taken prisoner. The Albatross, Serial No.D5390 from Royal Prussian Jasta 29 based at Bellincamp, was salvaged under fire later that night by 3Sqn ground crew under the command of CPT R. Ross. The machine was transported back to Bailleul where HQ 2nd Brigade RFC ordered the aircraft be sent to 1ASD.
On 18Dec18 the machine was taken to Repair Park 1ASD where it was brought to a flyable condition and, in January 1918, flown to RFC Lympne then on to RFC Aeroplane Experimental Section at Farnborough. On 31Dec17 AIF HQ in London had lodged a claim with the UK War Office for the aircraft as a War Trophy and this claim was awarded on 6Feb18. After being displayed for a short time at Australia House in London the machine was shipped to Australia in May 1918. The aircraft is on display to this day at the Australian War Museum in Canberra.
18Dec17 A3816 wreckage recovered and transported for assessment to No.2 Aeroplane Supply Depot (2ASD) at Fienvillers, 22km NNW of Amiens.
26Dec17 Aircraft assessed as Unworthy of Repair. Struck off charge and reduced to spares.
A3817
00Jul17 Built as Serial A3817 the 137th of 150 Royal Aircraft Factory designed RE8 reconnaissance/bomber aircraft built under license in the Serial Range A3681 to A3830 by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co Ltd at their factory in Coventry UK. Built to Contract 87/A/785 dated 16th September 1916. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No.30529WD20680.
00Augl17 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps at No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park, Coventry for acceptance checks and tests.
00Aug17 Allocated to the Expeditionary Force, France and flown to No.8 AAP at RFC Station Lympne, Kent for embarkation preparation.
00Aug17 Allocation cancelled. Reallocated to No.69 (Australian) Sqn at RFC Station South Carlton near Lincoln, Lincolnshire UK.
00Aug17 Received by 69 Sqn issued to A Flight. Assigned to 2nd Lt N.L Petchler.
21Aug17 Departed South Carlton at 0930 hrs flown by 2nd Lt N.L Petchler and 560 CPL T. Linsley as one of six A Flight machines on deployment to France with a planned refuelling at RFC Station Lympne in Kent then across the Channel to St Omer airfield in France. However, at Lympne Inspectors from the RFC Aircraft Inspection Department grounded all the aircraft with technical defects in the engine bearers.
09Sep17 After an 18 day delay attributable to technical defects and abysmal weather the aircraft departed RFC Lympne with the entire Squadron and flew to St Omer airfield Pas-de-Calais, France for a planned overnight stop.
10Sep17 Departed St Omer 0900 hrs and flew to the Squadron’s new Operating Base at Savy-Berlette airfield 18km NW of Arras in Pas-de-Calais, France.
12Sep17 For the next few weeks the machine flew many practice missions and familiarization flights in preparation for Operational Missions.
22Sep17 2nd Lt H.L Petchler and 2nd Lt K.C Hodgson departed at 1020hrs on a local practice flight. At 1045hrs the engine failed and an emergency landing was made at the airfield.
At 1155hrs Lt Petchler and engine fitter SGT R Hainsworth flew an unsuccessful 15min engine test flight.
23Sep17 At 0930hrs Lt Petchler and engine fitter SGT R Hainsworth flew a successful 25min engine test flight.
23Sep17 Lt H.L Petchler and 2nd Lt K.C Hodgson departed at 1715hrs on a Gunnery Test sortie. On the return journey from the test range the engine began to fail and a crash landing was made at Savy airfield. Minor damage to the machine and both airmen were uninjured.
00Sep17 V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No.30529 replaced by No.25267.
02Oct17 1st Combat Mission. Lt H.L Petchler and 2nd Lt K.C Hodgson departed at 1000hrs for an uneventful 1hr 50min Line Patrol in the Lens area.
24Oct17 2Lt A.H McLean Paterson and Lt R.R Dibbs departed at 0900hrs for an Artillery Shoot with the 151st Siege Battery. At 0945 they were attacked by five Albatross D-5 Scouts but the enemy did not pursue the attack and Patterson was able to disengage and RTB.
31Oct17 Lt E.J Jones and Lt E.R Dibbs departed at 1100hrs for an Artillery Shoot with the 151st Siege Battery. At 1150hrs they were attacked by five Albatross D-5 Scouts but once again the enemy did not pursue the attack and Jones was able to disengage and RTB.
08Nov17 A full squadron effort of 15 aircraft was launched in support of a XIII Corps attack in the Oppy Region. Lt E.J Jones and Lt E.R Dibbs departed Savy at 1150hrs as one of six A Flight aircraft to each drop 2 x 40lb Smoke Bombs in front of German positions to prevent artillery observation from the Chez Bontemps ridgeline. The aircraft and crews involved were:
A3815 CPT W.H Anderson and Lt J.R Bell A3816 Lt J.L Sandy and SGT E.B Nielson
A3817 Lt E.J Jones and Lt E.R Dibbs A4758 Lt C.H Kindred and Lt R.H Viner
B3435 Lt S.R Harper and Lt O. Paull. B5018 Lt R.G.D Francis and SGT R. Mainsworth
16Nov17 Moved from Savy-Berlette airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Bailleul airfield, 26km North West of Lille, France. One of six A Flight machines, flown by Lt E.J Jones and Lt E.R Dibbs, that departed at 1000hrs for the 20min ferry flight to Bailleul.
02Dec17 Lt E.J Jones and Lt K.C Hodgson departed at 1010hrs on a Weather Reconnaissance flight. At 1040hrs the engine failed and Jones forced landed in a field near Warneton 14km east of Bailleul. The crew repaired the engine and RTB at 1315hrs.
17Mar18 CPT E.J Jones and Lt K.C Hodgson departed at 1655hrs for an Artillery Shoot. At 7,000ft over Houthem they were attacked by seven Albatros D5a Scouts. Jones successfully avoided each enemy attack and Hodgson fired accurate bursts that damaged at least two of the Albatros Scouts. British aircraft soon arrived and drove of the enemy aircraft.
23Mar18 Moved from Bailleul airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Abeele airfield in Belgium.
07Apr18 Moved from Abeele airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Poulainville airfield, 5km north of Amiens, France. One of six A Flight machines, flown by CPT E.J Jones and Lt K.V Hodgson, that departed at 0930hrs for the 40min ferry flight to Poulainville.
04May18 Moved from Poulainville airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Flesselles airfield near Villers Bocage, 25km NNE of Amiens, France. One of six A Flight machines, flown by CPT E.J Jones and Lt A.L.D Taylor, that departed at 0930hrs for the 10min ferry flight from Poulainville.
15Jun18 2nd Lt S Jones and 2nd Lt S.A Loram departed Flesselles airfield at 2200hrs for an Artillery Observation sortie. Whilst circling the airfield to gain height the aircraft suddenly got into difficulties and nosed-dived into the village of Villers Bocage. The aircraft burst into flames on impact and both crewmen were incinerated and the machine destroyed. No cause for the accident could be determined.
AFC Pilot 2nd Lieutenant Sydney Jones (25) single of Bundaberg QLD is buried in Section III Grave E.6 of the Vignacourt British Cemetery, Vignacourt in Picardie, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
Vignacourt British Cemetery, Picardie France
AFC Observer 2nd Lieutenant Stanley Arthur Loram (25) single of Exeter, Devon UK is buried in Section III Grave E.7 of the Vignacourt British Cemetery, Vignacourt in Picardie, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
00Jun18 Aircraft struck off charge.
A4404
00Jul17 Built as Serial A4404 the 144th of 150 Royal Aircraft Factory designed RE8 reconnaissance/bomber aircraft built under license in the Serial Range A4261 to A4410 by the Austin Motor Co Ltd at their factory in Birmingham, UK. Built to Contract 87/A/785 dated 23rd September 1916. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No.1229DW26041.
00Jul17 Taken on charge for acceptance checks and tests by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park (1AAP) Coventry.
00Aug17 Allocated to the Expeditionary Force, France and flown to Ascot Aircraft Park, Berkshire UK to be disassembled, packed and shipped to France.
24Sep17 Shipped to No.2 Aeroplane Supply Depot (2ASD) at Fienvillers, 22km NNW of Amiens. for assembly and testing.
00Oct17 Allocated to No.69 (Australian) Sqn RFC at Savy-Berlette airfield, 15km north east of Arras, France.
22Oct17 Lt W.V Herbert departed 2ASD at 1345hrs for the 30min ferry flight to Savy-Berlette airfield.
23Oct17 TOC with 69 Sqn, issued to C Flight and assigned to Lt F.E Tregilles.
24Oct17 45min acceptance test flight flown by Lt Tregilles and Fitter No.726 CPL L.R Foale
31Oct17 1st Combat Mission. Lt A.C Macgillycuddy and Lt C.E.A Fossett departed Savy 1545hrs for a successful 45min Artillery Observation flight.
07Nov17 Lt F.E Tregilles and Lt F.J Tarrant departed at 1550hrs for a Line Patrol. At 1600hrs a complete engine failure caused a forced landing near Villers-Brûlin, 6km NNE of Savy-Berlette airfield. Ground crew from 69Sqn repaired the aircraft in-situ and the machine RTB the following day.
12Nov17 C Flt moved to the Squadron’s new operational airfield at Bailleul airfield, located on the Ravelsburg Road to the east of the village. (Field shared with 19Sqn and 53 Sqn). The flight departed Savy at 0900hrs for the 45min flight to Bailleul:
A4759 CPT R.S Brown and Lt W.A Buckland A4404 Lt F.E Tregilles and Lt S.J Moir
A3665 Lt S.G Brearley and Lt R.H Taylor B5890 Lt W.V Herbert and Lt C.E.A Fossett
A3821 Lt A.O Macgillycuddy and Lt F.J Tarrant B5097 Lt A.A.T Malpage and Lt E.H James
16Nov17 Moved from Savy-Berlette airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Bailleul airfield, 26km North West of Lille, France. One of six C Flight machines, flown by Lt F.E Tregilles and Lt C.E Fossett, that departed at 1000hrs for the 20min ferry flight to Bailleul.
04Dec17 Lt F.E Tregilles and Lt F.J Tarrant departed at 1145hrs on a Photo Reconnaissance mission in the Lens region. Between 1200 and 1245hrs they were harassed by three enemy Scouts at various times but skilful flying and accurate defensive fire by Lt Tarrant kept the Enemy Aircraft at bay.
19Jan18 TOC by No.3 Sqn, Australian Flying Corps when No.69 (Australian) Sqn RFC was renamed.
00Feb18 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a V12 Engine No.1229 replaced by No.996.
23Mar18 Moved from Bailleul airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Abeele airfield in Belgium.
07Apr18 Moved from Abeele airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Poulainville airfield, 5km north of Amiens, France. One of six A Flight machines, flown by CPT H.D Ralfe and Lt W.A Buckland, that departed at 0930hrs for the 40min ferry flight to Poulainville.
06May18 C Flight Commander CPT H.D.E Ralfe and Lt W.A.J Buckland departed at 0635hrs on a Counter Attack Patrol in the Messines region. At approximately 0725hrs they were attacked by five enemy Triplane Scouts over Morlancourt Ridge and shot down in flames. Both airmen were killed and the machine destroyed. Of note is that Lt J.H Treacy (D4281) witnessed the engagement and saw CPR Ralfe go down with the machine but also saw Lt Buckland jump from the burning machine and fall to his death.
AFC Pilot Captain Henry Douglas Eyre Ralfe (28) single of Sydney, NSW is buried in Section II Grave No.A.4 of the Vignacourt British Cemetery, Vignacourt in Picardie, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
AFC Observer Lieutenant William Alexander John Buckland (23) single of Gippsland, VIC is buried in Section II Grave No.A.5 of the Vignacourt British Cemetery, Vignacourt in Picardie, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
A4439
00Jul17 Built as Serial A4439 the 29th of 150 Royal Aircraft Factory designed RE8 reconnaissance/bomber aircraft built under license in the Serial Range A4261 to A4410 by the Standard Motor Co Ltd at their factory in Coventry, UK. Built to Contract 87/A/785 dated 21st September 1916. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No.30850WD20864.
00Aug17 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps at No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park (1AAP), Coventry for acceptance checks and tests.
00Aug17 Allocated to the Expeditionary Force, France and flown to No.8 AAP at RFC Station Lympne, Kent for embarkation preparation.
00Aug17 Allocation cancelled. Reallocated to No.69 (Australian) Sqn at RFC Station South Carlton near Lincoln, Lincolnshire UK.
00Aug17 Received by 69 Sqn issued to A Flight. Assigned to Lt R.G Francis.
21Aug17 Departed South Carlton at 0930 hrs flown by Lt R.G Francis and No.576 2/Air Mechanic A. Mitchell as one of six A Flight machines on deployment to France with a planned refuelling at RFC Station Lympne in Kent then across the Channel to St Omer airfield in France. However, at Lympne Inspectors from the RFC Aircraft Inspection Department grounded all the aircraft with technical defects in the engine bearers.
09Sep17 After an 18 day delay attributable to technical defects and abysmal weather the aircraft departed RFC Lympne with the entire Squadron and flew to St Omer airfield Pas-de-Calais, France for a planned overnight stop.
10Sep17 Departed St Omer 0900 hrs and flew to the Squadron’s new Operating Base at Savy-Berlette airfield 18km NW of Arras in Pas-de-Calais, France.
12Sep17 For the next few weeks the machine flew many practice missions and familiarization flights in preparation for Operational Missions.
19Sep171st combat mission. 2nd Lt H.C Miller and 2nd Lt H.E Roughton departed Savy at 1100hrs with A3661 and A3662 for an Information gathering flight over the front lines. All three RTB safely at 1220hrs.
08Nov17 A full squadron effort of 15 aircraft was launched in support of a XIII Corps attack in the Oppy Region. Lt Miller and Lt Barbat departed Savy at 1135hrs as one of five B Flight aircraft led by Lt S.G Garrett [A3661] to drop 4 x 20lb HE Bombs on German positions in the village of Neuvireul. The aircraft and crews involved were:
A3661 Lt S.G Garrett and Lt A.V Barrow. A4439 Lt H.C Miller and Lt V.P Barbat
A3662 Lt N. Clark and Lt B.L Learmonth B5081 Lt H.N Wrigley and Lt J.R Blair
A3755 Lt T.L Simpson and Lt W.N.E Scott.
16Nov17 Moved from Savy-Berlette airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Bailleul airfield, 26km North West of Lille, France. One of six A Flight machines, flown by Lt T.L Simpson and SGT V.E Millington, that departed at 1000hrs for the 20min ferry flight to Bailleul.
23Mar18 Moved from Bailleul airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Abeele airfield in Belgium.
25Mar18 2nd Lt L.S.J Sell and 2nd Lt V.E Millington departed Abeele at 0850 hrs and failed to return. Hours later a report came in saying that A4439 had crashed near Cassell. The Pilot was killed and the Observer was seriously injured. A few days later, Lt Millington stated the pilot could not locate the new airfield and was trying to land in a field near Cassell when he stalled and crashed.
AFC Pilot 2nd Lieutenant Leslie Simeon John Sell (27) single of Melbourne VIC is buried in Section III Grave E.2 of the Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery, Hazebrouck in Nord Pas de Calais, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery, France
AFC Observer 2ndLieutenant Victor Edwin Millington was pulled unconscious from the wreckage with extensive injuries to face, head, upper torso and both legs. Additionally, he had broken bones in both arms and a right elbow dislocation. After hospitalisation in France and England he was repatriated back to Australia in December 1918 on HMAT Marathon and arrived in Melbourne on 01Jan19.
A4758
00Jun17 Built as Serial A4758 the 95th of 100 Royal Aircraft Factory designed RE8 reconnaissance/bomber aircraft built under license in the Serial Range A4664 to A4763 by the Coventry Ordnance Works at their factory in Coventry, UK. Built to Contract 87/A/639 dated 20th September 1916. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No.30841WD20844
00Jul17 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps at No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park (1AAP), Coventry for acceptance checks and tests.
00Aug17 Allocated to the Expeditionary Force, France and flown to No.8 AAP at RFC Station Lympne, Kent for embarkation preparation.
00Aug17 Allocation cancelled. Reallocated to No.69 (Australian) Sqn at RFC Station South Carlton near Lincoln, Lincolnshire UK.
00Aug17 Received by 69 Sqn issued to A Flight. Assigned to 2nd Lt G.H Kindred.
21Aug17 Departed South Carlton at 0930 hrs flown by 2nd LT G.H Kindred and 606 2/AM A. Boxall-Chapman as one of six A Flight machines on deployment to France with a planned refuelling at RFC Station Lympne in Kent then across the Channel to St Omer airfield in France. However, at Lympne Inspectors from the RFC Aircraft Inspection Department grounded all the aircraft with technical defects in the engine bearers.
09Sep17 After an 18 day delay attributable to technical defects and abysmal weather the aircraft departed RFC Lympne with the entire Squadron and flew to St Omer airfield Pas-de-Calais, France for a planned overnight stop.
10Sep17 Departed St Omer 0900 hrs and flew to the Squadron’s new Operating Base at Savy-Berlette airfield 18km NW of Arras in Pas-de-Calais, France.
12Sep17 For the next few weeks the machine flew many practice missions and familiarization flights in preparation for Operational Missions.
19Sep17 1st combat mission. 2nd Lt G.H Kindred and 2nd Lt R.H Viner departed Savy at 0915hsr with A3817 for an information gathering flight over the front lines. Both aircraft RTB safely at 1100hrs.
22Sep17 2nd Lt G.H Kindred and 2nd Lt R.H Viner departed at 1215hrs for a practice artillery shoot. An engine failure at 1230hrs caused an emergency landing at Savy airfield. Minor damage to the machine and no injuries.
07Oct17 2nd Lt G.H Kindred and 2nd Lt R.H Viner departed at 0920hrs on Line Patrol over the Lens Canal. At approximately 1000hrs an Enemy Scout dived out of the clouds near Oppy and made one pass before diving away. Minor damage but no injuries, RTB Safely at 1135hrs.
08Nov17 A full squadron effort of 15 aircraft was launched in support of a XIII Corps attack in the Oppy Region. Lt C.H Kindred and Lt R.H Viner departed Savy at 1150hrs as one of six A Flight aircraft to each drop 2 x 40lb Smoke Bombs in front of German positions to prevent artillery observation from the Chez Bontemps ridgeline. The aircraft and crews involved were:
A3815 CPT W.H Anderson and Lt J.R Bell A3816 Lt J.L Sandy and SGT E.B Nielson
A3817 Lt E.J Jones and Lt E.R Dibbs A4758 Lt C.H Kindred and Lt R.H Viner
B3435 Lt S.R Harper and Lt O. Paull. B5018 Lt R.G.D Francis and SGT R. Mainsworth
16Nov17 Moved from Savy-Berlette airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Bailleul airfield, 26km North West of Lille, France. One of six A Flight machines, flown by 2nd Lt G.H Kindred and 2nd Lt R.H Viner, that departed at 1000hrs for the 20min ferry flight to Bailleul.
06Feb18 TOC by No.1 Sqn Australian Flying Corps when No.67 (Australian) Sqn RFC was renamed.
22Mar18 Moved from Bailleul airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Abeele airfield in Belgium. One of six A Flight machines, flown by 2nd Lt G.H Kindred and 2nd Lt R.H Viner, that departed at 1000hrs for the 35min ferry flight to Abeele.
00Mar18 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a V12 Engine No.30841 replaced by No.29630.
07Apr18 Moved from Abeele airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Poulainville airfield, 5km north of Amiens, France. One of six A Flight machines, flown by 2nd Lt L. Fryberg and Lt O.H Suess, that departed at 0930hrs for the 90min ferry flight to Poulainville.
12Apr18 2nd Lt L. Fryberg and Lt O.H Suess had just taken off for an Artillery Observation sortie when the engine failed completely. Lt Fryberg had no option but to land ahead in a field covered with haystacks and could not avoid striking one of the stacks. The machine then bounced into the air and overturned before crashing to the ground causing extensive [heavy] damage. Both airman sustained several injuries that required a period of hospitalisation.
2nd Lt Louis Fryberg (22) metal worker of Bendigo VIC sustained several broken bones, concussion and contusions and was admitted to the 20th Casualty Clearance Station then to the 17th Ambulance Train and on to the 8th General Military Hospital at Rouen. He was moved to the 3rd General Hospital in Whitechapel, London until he was repatriated to Australia in Aug18.
2nd Lt Otto Harold Suess (26) fitter & turner from Ipswich, QLD sustained a fractured femur, concussion and severe bruising and was admitted to the 20th Casualty Clearance Station then to the 17th Ambulance Train and on to the 8th General Military Hospital at Rouen. He was moved to the 3rd General Hospital in Whitechapel, London until he was repatriated to Australia in Jul18.
14Apr18 Aircraft transported for assessment to No.2 Aircraft Service Depot (2ASD) at Fienvillers, 22km NNW of Amiens.
20Apr18 Aircraft assessed as Unworthy of Repair. Struck off charge and reduced to components.
B2259
00Sep17 Built as Serial B2259 the 9th of 50 Royal Aircraft Factory designed RE8 reconnaissance/bomber aircraft built under license in the Serial Range B2251 to B2300 by D. Napier & Son Ltd at their factory in Acton, West London UK. Built to Contract 87/A/696 dated 12th April 1917. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No.25185.
This aircraft was presented to the RFC by the Colony of the Gold Coast, Africa and the name “Gold Coast No.3’ was painted on both sides of the fuselage below the forward cockpit
00Oct17 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps at No.7 Aircraft Acceptance Park (7AAP), Kenley for acceptance checks and tests.
24Oct17 Allocated to the Expeditionary Force, France.
01Nov17 Flown to No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot (1ASD) at St Omer airfield, Nord Pas-de-Calais France.
15Nov17 Flown from 1ASD to by No.2 Aeroplane Supply Depot (2ASD) at Fienvillers, 22km NNW of Amiens..
12Dec17 Allocated to No.69 (Australian) Sqn RFC at Savy-Berlette airfield, 15km north east of Arras, France.
19Dec17 Flown from 1ASD to 1ASD Issues Section at Serny airfield, 20km SE of St Omer airfield.
22Dec17 Lt H.N Wrigley departed solo from Serny airfield at 1230hrs for the 45min ferry flight to Bailleul.
09Jan18 1st Combat Mission. Lt N. Clark and Lt H. A Biddle departed Bailleul at 1135hrs for an Artillery Shoot Spotting mission for the 155th Siege Battery [6” Howitzer]. RTB safely at 1305hrs.
20Jan18 TOC by No.3 Sqn, Australian Flying Corps because No.69 (Australian) Sqn RFC was renamed.
26Jan18 2nd Lt C Donahay and Lt J.R Blair departed at 1415hrs for an Artillery Observation Shoot with the 259th Siege Battery. At approximately 1500hrs the aircraft was observed to come under fire from AAA over Dranoutre and a few minutes later the right upper wing folded back and the aircraft started to fall. Both wings then ripped from the aircraft and the machine crashed outside of Dranoutre village. The machine was destroyed and both crewmen killed.
AFC Pilot Lieutenant Clarence Donahay (25) single of Hawthorn, Melbourne VIC is buried in Section III Grave F.51 of the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord), Lille in Nord Pas de Calais, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
AFC Observer Lieutenant John Riggall Blair (26) single of Rockhampton QLD is buried in Section III Grave F.50 of the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord), Lille in Nord Pas de Calais, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
29Jan18 Aircraft remains transported to 1ASD.
31Jan18 Declared as Unworthy of Repair. Struck off charge and reduced to components.
B3421
00Jun17 Built as Serial B3421 the 21st of 50 Royal Aircraft Factory designed RE8 reconnaissance/bomber aircraft built under license in the Serial Range B3401 to B3450 by the Daimler Company Ltd at their factory in Radford, Coventry UK. Built to Contract 87/A/785 dated 24th April 1917. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No.30603WD20747.
00Jul17 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps at No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park, Coventry for acceptance checks and tests.
28Jul17 Allocated to the Expeditionary Force, France.
00Jul17 Allocated for use to No.69 (Australian) Sqn at RFC Station South Carlton near Lincoln, Lincolnshire UK.
00Aug17 Received by 69 Sqn issued to B Flight. Assigned to Lt F.C Shapira.
21Aug17 Departed South Carlton at 0940hrs flown by Lt F.C Shapira and 694 2/Air Mechanic W.D Sloane as one of six B Flight machines on deployment to France. At approximately 1040 hrs the engine began losing power and Lt Shapira landed at RFC Station Biggin Hill, Westerham, Kent. The engine fault was rectified and Lt Shapira departed the field but upon reaching 700ft Shapira turned downwind, got into a spin from which he could not recover, and crashed near the field. The aircraft burst into flames on impact and both crewmen were killed.
AFC pilot Lieutenant Francis Cunningham Shapira (29) single of Wallendbeen, NSW is buried in Grave No.179.687 of the Brookwood Military Cemetery, Pirbright, Surrey UK. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial Canberra, ACT.
Brookwood Military Cemetery, UK
AFC 2nd Class Air Mechanic 694 William Douglas Sloane (27) single of Mulwala, NSW is buried in Grave No.XI.D.15 of the Brookwood Military Cemetery, Pirbright, Surrey UK. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial Canberra, ACT.
B3435
00Jun17 Built as Serial B3435 the 35th of 50 Royal Aircraft Factory designed RE8 reconnaissance/bomber aircraft built under license in the Serial Range B3401 to B3450 by the Daimler Company Ltd at their factory in Radford, Coventry UK. Built to Contract 87/A/785 dated 24th April 1917. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No.30884WD20879.
00Jul17 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps at No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park, Coventry for acceptance checks and tests.
28Jul17 Allocated to the Expeditionary Force, France.
11Sep17 Flown by an RFC ferry pilot from 1AAP to No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot at Saint Omer airfield, France.
13Sep17 Ferried by an RFC pilot from 1ASD to 2ASD at Fienvillers, 22km NNW of Amiens.
00Sep17 Allocated to No.69 (Australian) Squadron at Savy-Berlette airfield, 15km north east of Arras, France.
24Sep17 Lt S.H Harper departed solo from 2ASD at 1100 hrs on a 35 min ferry flight to 69 Sqn at Savy-Berlette airfield. Aircraft taken on strength, issued to B Flight and assigned to Lt S.H Harper.
25Sep17 1st Combat Mission. Lt S.H Harper and 2nd Lt O. Paul departed Savy-Berlette airfield at 1115 hrs for a one hour forty five minute Line Patrol in the Kone region.
16Oct17 Lt W.V Herbert and 2nd Lt J.R Bell departed at 1015hrs for a Line Patrol near Lens. At approximately 1110hrs an enemy Scout aircraft was seen and attacked near Lens, and after one long accurate burst by Lt Bell the enemy dived away into cloud streaming smoke.
08Nov17 A full squadron effort of 15 aircraft was launched in support of a XIII Corps attack in the Oppy Region. Lt S.R Harper and Lt O. Paull departed Savy at 1150hrs as one of six A Flight aircraft to each drop 2 x 40lb Smoke Bombs in front of German positions to prevent artillery observation from the Chez Bontemps ridgeline. The aircraft and crews involved were:
A3815 CPT W.H Anderson and Lt J.R Bell A3816 Lt J.L Sandy and SGT E.B Nielson
A3817 Lt E.J Jones and Lt E.R Dibbs A4758 Lt C.H Kindred and Lt R.H Viner
B3435 Lt S.R Harper and Lt O. Paull. B5018 Lt R.G.D Francis and SGT R. Mainsworth
16Nov17 Moved from Savy-Berlette airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Bailleul airfield, 26km North West of Lille, France. One of six B Flight machines, flown by Lt S.H Harper and 2nd Lt O. Paull, that departed at 1000hrs for the 20min ferry flight to Bailleul.
15Feb18 Lt B. Mulroney and Lt W.E Neilson departed at 1355hrs for an Artillery Observation mission near Oppy. At approximately 1410hrs the engine began losing pressure and Mulroney made a safe recovery to Base.
22Mar18 Moved from Bailleul airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Abeele airfield in Belgium.
07Apr18 Moved from Abeele airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Poulainville airfield, 5km north of Amiens, France. One of six B Flight machines, flown by 2nd Lt C.L Vidler 2nd Lt O.G Witcombe, that departed at 0930hrs for the 90min ferry flight to Poulainville.
12Apr18 Lt G.W Best and Lt O.G Lewis departed Poulainville at 1100 hrs on a planned Photographic Escort mission for Lt T.L Simpson and Lt E.C Banks in RE8-B6567. Soon after take-off the engine failed and the pilot tried to turn back to the field but the aircraft stalled and crashed. The machine burst into flames on impact and both crewmen were killed in the fire.
AFC Pilot Lieutenant George William Best (22) single of Hobart, TAS is buried in Plot 1, Row A, Grave 20 of the Vignacourt British War Cemetery, 18km SSW of Doullens, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
AFC Observer Owen Gower Lewis (21) single of Armadale, VIC is buried in Plot 1, Row A, Grave 21 of the Vignacourt British War Cemetery, 18km SSW of Doullens, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
15Apr18 Aircraft struck off charge and the wreckage transported to the 2ASD Salvage Dump.
C2309
00Mar18 Built as Serial C2309 the 79th of 800 Royal Aircraft Factory designed RE8 reconnaissance/bomber aircraft built under license in the Serial Range C2231 to C3030 by the Daimler Motor Car Co Ltd at their factory in Radford, Coventry UK. Built to Contract 87/A/7399 dated 21st August 1917. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No.32278.
This machine was called The Ranby and was presented by Lieutenant Colonel. Sir A.E. Bingham Bart.
00Mar8 Taken on charge for acceptance checks by the Royal Flying Corps at No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park (1AAP) at Coventry.
00Mar18 Allocated to the Expeditionary Force, France.
20Apr18 Despatched by air to the Receiving Park of No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot (1ASD) at St Omer airfield, Nord Pas-de-Calais France.
21Apr18 Received by the Issues Section of 2ASD at Fienvillers, 22km NNW of Amiens.
00May18 Allocated to No.3 (AC) Sqn, Australian Flying Corps at Flesselles airfield near Villers Bocage, 25km NNE of Amiens
08May18 Lt H.S Foale and Lt F.J Mart departed 2ASD Issue Section at 1445hrs for the 40 min ferry flight to Flesselles. TOC with 3Sqn, issued to C Flight, Coded O and assigned to Lt R.C Armstrong.
08Aug18 Lt E. J Bice MC and Lt J.E Chapman departed Flesselles at 1100hrs on a Contact Patrol over the Amiens Front and failed to return.
Two days later an Infantry Officer from the 4th Pioneer Battalion removed documents from two bodies near a crashed aeroplane and sent them to HQ for identification along with a report stating he had seen the machine shot down by nine Fokker Biplanes near Morecourt. The following day a Chaplain of the 35th Battalion AIF buried both bodies approximately 2km SE of Morecourt.
AFC Pilot Lieutenant Edward John Bice (27) married of Canterbury, Melbourne VIC is buried in Grave No.12, Plot 1, Row 1 of the Heath Cemetery, Harbonniarres 8km SSW of Bray-Sur-Somme in the Somme Department of France.
AFC Observer 1852 Lieutenant John Earnest Chapman (20) single of Maryborough Victoria is also buried in Grave No.12, Plot 1, Row 1the Heath Cemetery, Harbonniarres 8km SSW of Bray-Sur-Somme in the Somme Department of France.
Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres France
C2490
00Apr18 Built as Serial C2490 the 260th of 800 Royal Aircraft Factory designed RE8 reconnaissance/bomber aircraft built under license in the Serial Range C2231 to C3030 by the Daimler Motor Car Co Ltd at their factory in Radford, Coventry UK. Built to Contract 87/A/7399 dated 21st August 1917. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No.30392.
00May8 Taken on charge for acceptance checks by the Royal Flying Corps at No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park (1AAP) at Coventry.
09May18 Allocated to the Expeditionary Force, France.
26Jul18 Despatched by air to the Receiving Park of No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot (1ASD) at St Omer airfield, Nord Pas-de-Calais France.
04Aug18 Received by the Issues Section of 2ASD at Fienvillers, 22km NNW of Amiens.
00Aug18 Allocated to No.3 Sqn Australian Flying Corps at Flesselles airfield near Villers Bocage, 25km NNE of Amiens, France.
10Aug18 Lt T.L Baillieu departed 2ASD Issue Section at 1615hrs for the 40min ferry flight to Flesselles.
12Aug18 Lt T.L Baillieu and Fitter CPL Kay flew a 35min acceptance test flight.
13Aug18 1st Combat Mission. Lt T.L Baillieu and Lt F.S Sewell departed at 0930hrs on an uneventful Close Air Patrol.
15Aug18 Lt F.D Dimsey and Lt R.F.C Machin were on a Close Air Patrol when AA fire caused damage to a longeron.
18Sep18 Lt F.D Dimsey and Lt R.F.C Machin were on a Close Air Patrol at 300ft over the front lines when they were struck by machine gun fire from the ground, which seriously wounded Lt Machin. Lt Dimsey immediately headed for and landed at the nearest Landing Ground where Lt Machin was rushed to the 46th Casualty Clearing Station. Unfortunately, Lt Machin was pronounced dead on arrival
AFC Observer 6303 2nd Lieutenant Rowland Frank Charles Machin (21) single of Queenstown Tasmania is buried in the Grave 1 Row A7 of the Brie British War Cemetery 6km south of Peronne, Somme District France.
26Sep18 Aircraft wreckage transported for assessment to 2ASD.
15Dec18 Assessed as Not Worthy of Repair. Struck off charge and converted to components.
C2628
00Jun18 Built as Serial C2628 the 398th of 800 Royal Aircraft Factory designed RE8 reconnaissance/bomber aircraft built under license in the Serial Range C2231 to C3030 by the Daimler Motor Car Co Ltd at their factory in Radford, Coventry UK. Built to Contract 87/A/7399 dated 21st August 1917. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine WD30938.
00Jun18 Taken on charge for acceptance checks by the Royal Flying Corps at No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park (1AAP) at Coventry.
00Jun18 Allocated to No.7 Training Squadron (7TS), 1st Wing, Australian Flying Corps at Leighterton airfield, Gloucestershire UK.
03Jul18 Flown from 1AAP by an RAF Ferry Pilot and taken on charge by 7TS. Issued for use to C Flight.
09Aug18 CPT Henry Neilson Wrigley and No.1657 2/Air Mechanic John Richard Warren flew a successful 25min acceptance test flight at 0705hrs.
08Oct18 Lt J.S Moir flew a 10min test flight at 0940hrs.
13Oct18 At 1225hrs 2nd Lt George Viner Wicks (28) departed for a local training flight on his 1st solo flight when, at 150ft after performing a touch-and-go, he applied too much rudder and induced a flat spin. Wicks could not recover and the aircraft crashed to earth with such force that Wicks was instantly killed and the machine destroyed.
2nd Lt George Viner Wicks (26) single of Marrickville, Sydney NSW is buried in a private family plot No.13395 Section 35 of the Reading Cemetery, Reading, Berkshire UK. Wicks is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
14Oct18 Issued less engine to ARS Leighterton for write-off action.
C5043
00Sep17 Built as Serial C5043 the 18th of 100 Royal Aircraft Factory designed RE8 reconnaissance/bomber aircraft built under license in the Serial Range C5026 to C5125 by the Coventry Ordnance Works at their factory in Coventry UK. Built to Contract 87/A/727 dated 24th April 1917. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No.31132.
00Sepl17 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps at No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park, Coventry for acceptance checks and tests.
06Octl17 Allocated to the Expeditionary Force, France. To be delivered in cases to No.2 Aeroplane Supply Depot (2ASD) at Fienvillers, 22km NNW of Amiens, France via Newhaven airfield.
29Oct17 Allocation amended. Machine to be assembled, tested and flown to No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot (1ASD) at St Omer airfield, Nord Pas-de-Calais France.
00Nov17 Allocated to No.69 (Australian) Sqn at Bailleul aerodrome, 18km SW of Ypres, France.
11Nov17 Ferried by an RFC pilot from 1AAP to 1ASD at Saint Omer airfield, France.
16Nov17 2nd Lt A.A Malpage departed 1ASD at 1500 hrs for the 1hr ferry flight to Bailleul airfield.
24Nov17 Departed Bailleul at 0925 hrs on 1st combat mission flown by Lt C.G Williams and Lt S.J Moir; a one hour Flash Reconnaissance mission over the lines in the Comines-Warneton area, 25km east of Bailleul.
26Dec17 Lt C.G Williams and 2Lt L.H Pretyman departed Bailleul at 0900 hrs on a Weather Reconnaissance flight and were caught in a sever snow storm that forced them to land at Savy-Berlette airfield. RTB the following day.
19Jan18 TOC by No.3 Sqn, Australian Flying Corps when No.69 (Australian) Sqn RFC was renamed.
17Feb18 Lt H. Streeter and Lt F.J Tarrant departed Bailleul at 1135hrs for an Artillery Direction & Observation mission near Oostaverne, Belgium, 22kn NE of Bailleul. At 1232 hrs Lt Tarrant called for Artillery Fire on the designated target and at 1233hrs the guns of the 5th Australian Divisional Artillery fired a salvo at the target. At approximately 1235hrs the forward Artillery Observer saw the aircraft disintegrate in mid-air at 5,000ft and the wreckage fall to earth where it landed in a shell hole 500 yards east of the Clark’s Dump salient. As there was no AA or Enemy Aircraft in the area at the time it was determined that the aircraft was struck by one of the 8-inch (200mm) artillery shells fired in the salvo.
AFC Pilot Lieutenant Henry Streeter (23) single of Bunyip, VIC is buried in Section III Grave No F.52 of the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord), Lille in Nord Pas de Calais, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
AFC Observer Lieutenant Francis Joseph Tarrant (22) single of Clifton Hill, VIC is buried in Section III Grave No F.53 of the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord), Lille in Nord Pas de Calais, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
D1513
00Apr18 Built as Serial D1512 the12th of 100 Royal Aircraft Factory designed RE8 reconnaissance/bomber aircraft built under license in the Serial Range D1501 to D1600 by the Standard Motor Co at their factory in Coventry UK. Built to Contract AS32612 dated 10 Nov 1917. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine.
00Apr18 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps at No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park, Coventry for acceptance checks and tests.
00May18 Allocated to No.7 Training Squadron (7TS), 1st Wing, Australian Flying Corps at Leighterton airfield, Gloucestershire UK.
12Jun18 Delivered by air from 1AAP to ARS Leighterton for acceptance tests.
13Jun18 TOC by 7TS and issued to C Flight.
07Jul18 Cadet Keith William Stronach was on his 1st solo RE8 flight when, soon after take-off, the engine failed and Stronach tried to get over a hedge to make a forced landing. Unfortunately, the aircraft stalled and crashed into the hedge. Although the aircraft suffered relatively minor damage the pilot sustained a broken neck and died at the scene.
AFC 2nd Class Air Mechanic No.1946 Keith William Stronach (21) single of Perth WA is buried in the Lasborough (St Mary) Churchyard, Gloucestershire UK. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
Lasborough St. Mary Churchyard UK
D4975
00Jan18 Rebuilt with components from written-off RE8 aircraft by staff at the No.3 Western Area Repair Depot in Yatesbury, UK. The 15th of 40 such aircraft rebuilt by 3WARD in the serial range D4961 to D5000. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine.
00Feb18 Taken on charge for acceptance checks by the Royal Flying Corps at No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park (1AAP) at Coventry.
00Feb18 Allocated to No.7 Training Squadron (7TS), 1st Wing, Australian Flying Corps at Leighterton airfield, Gloucestershire UK.
26Mar18 Arrived by air from 1AAP to ARS Leighterton.
27Mar18 Received for use by 7TS
17Aug18 Lt Elwyn departed Castle Bromwich at 1730hrs for the 90min ferry flight to Leighterton.
23Aug18 Lt J.S Moir flew a successful 40min rigging test flight at 1815hrs.
24Aug18 2nd Lt Abbott and 2/Air Mechanic Bradshaw flew a 25min air test at 0645hrs.
25Aug18 2nd Lt Abbott and No.1657 2/Air Mechanic John Richard Warren flew a successful 90min air test flight to Hatesbury and return.
29Aug18 2nd Lt R. Checkett departed Leighterton at 1200hrs for a solo local Circuits & Bumps training flight. At 1220hrs Checkett landed heavily on the aerodrome causing moderate damage to the centre section and undercarriage. Pilot was uninjured.
29Aug18 CPT Jones and No.1441 1/Air Mechanic Cyril Charles Eastoe flew a 10min rigging test flight at 1810hrs.
01Sep18 2nd Lt W. Parkes departed Leighterton at 1740hrs for a solo local training flight. At 1810hrs Parkes lost control when coming in to land and crashed 600m from the southern end of the runway. When rescuers arrived they found Parkes still strapped in his seat but showing no signs of life.
2nd Lt William Parkes (26) single of Creswick, VIC is buried in an unnumbered Grave in the Non-Conformist Section 2 of the Leighterton Church Cemetery, Leighterton, Gloucestershire UK. Parkes is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
02Sep18 Aircraft SOC and wreckage transported to ARS Leighterton for assessment.
D4977
00Jan18 Rebuilt with components from written-off RE8 aircraft by staff at the No.3 Western Area Repair Depot in Yatesbury, UK. The 17th of 40 such aircraft rebuilt by 3WARD in the serial range D4961 to D5000. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine.
00Feb18 Taken on charge for acceptance checks by the Royal Flying Corps at No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park (1AAP) at Coventry.
00Feb18 Allocated to No.7 Training Squadron (7TS), 1st Wing, Australian Flying Corps at Leighterton airfield, Gloucestershire UK.
26Mar18 Arrived by air from 1AAP to ARS Leighterton
27Mar18 Received for use by 7TS
17Apr18 Issued for repair to ARS Leighterton.
24Aug18 At 1150hrs Cadet R.N Pillow stalled at 50ft when on a gliding approach. The machine crashed short of the runway and Pillow was killed.
AFC 2nd Class Air Mechanic [Cadet] 14061 Roy Nelson Pillow (23) single of Geelong VIC is buried in the Leighterton Church Cemetery, Leighterton, Gloucestershire UK. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
00Aug18 Aircraft wreckage transported to ARS Leighterton for disposal action.
E120
00Apr18 Built as Serial E120 the 120th of 300 Royal Aircraft Factory designed RE8 reconnaissance/bomber aircraft built under license in the Serial Range E1 to E300 by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co Ltd at their factory in Coventry UK. Built to Contract AS27757 dated 30th January 1918. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No.32568
26Apr18 Allocated to the Expeditionary Force, France.
06May18 Despatched in cases to the Receiving Park of No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot (1ASD) at St Omer airfield, Nord Pas-de-Calais France.
00May18 Allocated to No.9 Sqn RAF at Calais airfield, Pas-de-Calais district France.
18May18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Savy airfield.
22May18 Received for use by 9Sqn.
06Jun18 Moved from Calais to Agenvillers airfield 13km north east of Abbeville.
16Jun18 Crash landed at Agenvillers after being damaged during a bombing mission. Lt W.J Courtis and 2nd Lt A.C Coombes sustained minor injuries.
18Jun18 Aircraft transported to 2ASD for assessment.
20Jun18 Assessed as Worthy of Repair. Issued to 2ASD Repair Park for repairs.
07Aug18 Repairs completed. Aircraft allocated to No.3 Sqn, Australian Flying Corps at Flesselles airfield near Villers Bocage, 12km north of Amiens, France
12Aug18 Lt A.E Grigson (solo) departed 2ASD at 0650hrs for the 60min ferry flight to Flesselles.
At 1115hrs a successful 15min test flight was flown by Lt A.E Grigson and Fitter SGT 669 SGT L.P Gyngell
13Aug18 1st Combat Mission. Lt A.E Grigson and Lt H.B James departed Flesselles at 1820hrs for a Close Air Patrol over allied front lines near Armentieres. RTB safely at 2035hrs.
22Aug18 Lt A.E Grigson and Lt H.B James were flying a Counter Attack patrol near Bray when they engaged and shot down a Halberstadt two-seater, which was seen to crash near Bray.
06Sep18 Moved from Flesselles airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Proyart airfield, 31km east of Amiens, France. Ferried by Lt L.P Chase and Lt J.P Jeffers, that departed at 0930hrs for the 25min ferry flight to Proyart.
19Sep18 Moved from Proyart airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Montigny Farm near Bouvincourt-en-Vermandois, 23km North West of St Quentin, France. Flown by Lt J.C Peel and Lt J.P Jeffers.
20Sep18 Lt J.C Peel and Lt J.P Jeffers departed at1535hrs on a Photographic Mission to photograph the line of the St. Quentin Canal from south of Bellenglise to Bellicourt but failed to return. Post war research shows that Peel/Jeffers were separated from the rest of the Patrol and were bounced and shot down near Bellenglise by German fighter pilot Leutnant Julius Schulte-Frohlinde, of Jasta 11.
This has been corrected as follows by Grp Capt (retd) David Millar: According to the 3 SQN records this aircraft with Cliff Peel and John Jeffers was lost on the 19th Sep 1918. the error could have come about because squadron reports had a cutoff and the actual loss may have been reported the next day, but the Casualty report in Routine Order no 371 by Major Blake, specifically list them as missing 19th Sep 1918. (We are grateful to receive this correction).
00Sep18 Aircraft struck off charge.
AFC Pilot 2nd Lieutenant John Clifford Peel (23) single of Inverleigh, Victoria has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area of the Australian War Memorial Canberra, ACT.
AFC Pilot 2nd Lieutenant John Patrick Jeffers (26) single of Brunswick, Victoria has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area of the Australian War Memorial Canberra, ACT.
E125
00May18 Built as Serial E125 the 125th of 300 Royal Aircraft Factory designed RE8 reconnaissance/bomber aircraft built under license in the Serial Range E1 to E300 by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co Ltd at their factory in Coventry UK. Built to Contract AS27757 dated 30th January 1918. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine.
00May18 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps at No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park, Coventry for acceptance checks and tests.
00May18 Allocated to No.7 Training Squadron (7TS), 1st Wing, Australian Flying Corps at Leighterton airfield, Gloucestershire UK.
26May18 arr by air from 1AAP Coventry and issued to C Flight.
02Jul18 RE8 E125 Lt George Robert Thompson and 1A/M Banks-Smith killed in a crash. The aircraft was in a dive firing at a ground target and the pilot pulled up too suddenly and part of the top wing detached which caused a spin from which the pilot could not recover. The aircraft hit the ground at high speed and burst into flames killing both airman instantly.
Lt George Robert Thompson (26) married, of St Kilda, Melbourne VIC is buried in Grave No.3 C of E Section of the Leighterton Church Cemetery, Leighterton, Gloucestershire UK. Thompson is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
Leighterton Churchyard UK
2884 1st Class Air Mechanic Sydney Harold Banks-Smith (26) single of Gordon, Sydney NSW is buried in Grave No.4 C of E Section of the Leighterton Church Cemetery, Leighterton, Gloucestershire UK.
Banks-Smith is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.
E224
00Jul18 Built as Serial E224 the 224th of 300 Royal Aircraft Factory designed RE8 reconnaissance/bomber aircraft built under license in the Serial Range E1 to E300 by the Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co Ltd at their factory in Coventry UK. Built to Contract AS27757 dated 30th January 1918. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW), V12 Royal Aircraft Factory 4a Engine No.1460WD12245.
00Aug18 Allocated to the Expeditionary Force, France.
20Aug18 Despatched in cases to the Receiving Park of No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot (1ASD) at St Omer airfield, Nord Pas-de-Calais France.
00Aug18 Allocated to No.3 Sqn, Australian Flying Corps at Flesselles airfield near Villers Bocage, 12km north of Amiens, France
29Aug18 Received by 2ASD Issues Section. at Serny airfield, 20km SE of St Omer airfield
31Aug18 Lt J. Gould-Taylor (solo) departed 2ASD Issues Section at 1455hrs for the 60min ferry flight to Flesselles.
01Sep18 1st Combat Mission. Lt J. Gould-Taylor and Lt B.G Thomson departed Flesselles at 0815hrs for an Artillery Flash Patrol
06Sep18 Moved from Flesselles airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Proyart airfield, 31km east of Amiens, France. Lt J. Gould-Taylor and Lt B.G Thomson departed at 0930hrs for the 25min ferry flight.
19Sep18 Moved from Proyart airfield to the squadron’s new operating base at Montigny Farm near Bouvincourt-en-Vermandois, 23km North West of St Quentin, France.
03Oct18 Lt J. Gould-Taylor and Lt B.G Thomson departed for an Artillery Observation Patrol at 0600hrs and failed to return. It was later reported that an RE8 had been hit in the air by an artillery shell but no trace was found by a search party. Another search on 06Oct18 located and retrieved the bodies of both airmen and they were buried near Estrées. Both airmen later reinterred at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gouy in Picardie, France.
00Oct18 Aircraft SOC.
AFC Pilot Lieutenant John Gould-Taylor (22) single, of Young, NSW was initially buried in a field near Estrées in the Aisne department of Hauts-de-France. He was later reinterred in Grave III A.12 of the Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gouy in Picardie, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area of the Australian War Memorial Canberra, ACT.
AFC Observer Lieutenant Bruce Garie Thomson (24) single, of Kapunda, SA was initially buried in a field near Estrées in the Aisne department of Hauts-de-France. He was later reinterred in Grave III A.11 of the Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gouy in Picardie, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area of the Australian War Memorial Canberra, ACT.
PMcG 2020-04-15
RS 10.01.2022 - Typo and data corrections to A4439 entry (Sent in by Gordon)
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