6968Aircraft Types Used By Australian Forces 1914 - 1918

Royal Aircraft Factory Scout

Experimental SE5A

As used by 2 Sqd (Australia) AFC, 6 Sqd (Australia) Training AFC

The Royal Aircraft Factory SE5 was a British biplane fighter aircraft of the First World War. It was developed at the Royal Aircraft Factory by a team consisting of Henry Folland, John Kenworthy and Major Frank Goodden. It was one of the fastest aircraft of the war, while being both stable and relatively manoeuvrable. According to aviation author Robert Jackson, the S.E.5 was: 'the nimble fighter that has since been described as the 'Spitfire of World War One'.

In most respects the SE5 had superior performance to the rival Sopwith Camel, although it was less immediately responsive to the controls. Problems with its Hispano-Suiza engine, particularly the geared-output H-S 8B-powered early versions, meant that there was a chronic shortage of the type until well into 1918. Thus, while the first examples had reached the Western Front before the Camel, there were fewer squadrons equipped with the SE5 than with the Sopwith fighter.

Together with the Camel, the SE5 was instrumental in regaining allied air superiority in mid-1917 and maintaining it for the rest of the war, ensuring there was no repetition of 'Bloody April' 1917 when losses in the Royal Flying Corps were much heavier than in the Luftstreitkräfte. The SE5s remained in RAF service for some time following the Armistice that ended the conflict; some were transferred to various overseas military operators, while a number were also adopted by civilian operators.

A8913

1917 Built as Serial A8913 the 16^th of 50 S.E.5 aircraft built in the Serial Range A8898 to A8947 by the Royal Aircraft Factory in their UK facility at Farnborough, Hampshire UK. Built to a purchase contract dated December 1916. Fitted with a 150hp (112kW) Hispano-Suiza HS-8 Engine No.626.

00May17 Taken on charge by the RFC for acceptance testing by the RFC Aeronautical Inspection Department at RFC Station Farnborough, Hampshire UK.

00May17 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force. Aircraft disassembled, packed into cases and dispatched to the British Expeditionary Force, No.2 Aeroplane Supply Depot (2ASD) at Fienvillers, 22km NNW of Amiens, France.

01Jun17 Received for use by No.56 Sqn RFC at Estrée Blanche airfield Pas-de-Calais, France.

21Jun17 Moved with 56 Sqn back to Bekesbourne Aerodrome near Canterbury, Kent in response to the German Gotha Bomber attacks on London.

01Jul17 Returned with 56 Sqn back to Estrée Blanche airfield Pas-de-Calais, France.

07Aug17 Flown to 1ASD at St Omer airfield, Pas-de-Calais. Hispano-Suiza HS-8 Engine No.626 replaced by No. 10070.

08Aug17 Received for use by No.60 Sqn RFC.

09Sep17 Received by 1ASD.

18Oct17 150hp Hispano-Suiza HS-8 Engine No.10070 replaced by 200hp HS Engine No. 797.

19Oct17 Received by 2ASD.

09Nov17 Received for use by No.40 Sqn RFC.

04Dec17 Overturned in soft ground after landing from a target practice sortie. Aircraft extensively damaged but pilot Lt G.E H McElroy was uninjured. Struck off squadron strength.

06Dec17 Received by 1ASD for repair.

00Mar18 200hp Engine No.797 replaced by 200hp HS Engine No.116376.

00Mar18 Allocated to No.2 Sqn AFC at Savy-Berlette aerodrome, Hauts-de-France 18km NW of Arras

09Mar18 Received by No.2 Sqn AFC

00Mar18 200hp Hispano-Suiza HS-8 Engine No.116376 replaced by 200hp HS Engine No.115716.

28Mar18 One of 12 SE5a aircraft that departed Savy-Berlette at 0940 hrs for an Offensive Patrol in the Bapaume area to provide high cover for No.4 Sqn AFC. A8913 was flown by 2^nd Lt T. Hosking and was last seen flying towards Oppy near Arras, Pas-de Calais France. The aircraft failed to return and Hosking was posted as MIA it was later reported that he was in fact KIA.

AFC pilot 2^nd Lieutenant Thomas Hosking (26) single of St Kilda, Melbourne has no known grave and is remembered on the Arras Flying Services Memorial, Arras, in Nord Pas de Calais, France. Hosking is also commemorated on panel 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.

30Mar18 Aircraft struck off charge.

B55

1917 Built as Serial B55 the 55^th of 200 S.E.5a aircraft built under license in the Serial Range B1 to B200 by the Air Navigation Co in their UK facility at Addlestone, Surrey UK. Built to contract 87/A/1616 dated 01 February 2017. Fitted with a 200hp (150kW) Hispano-Suiza HS-8 Engine No.997.

31Oct17 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force, France.

00Nov17 Taken on charge by the RFC for acceptance testing by the RFC Aeronautical Inspection Department at No.10 Aircraft Acceptance Park near Weybridge, Surrey UK

13Nov17 Aircraft disassembled, packed into cases and dispatched to the British Expeditionary Force, No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot (1ASD) at St Omer airfield, Pas-de-Calais, France.

02Dec17 Allocated to No.68 (Australian) Sqn at Baizieux aerodrome, 24km NE of Amiens France.

07Dec17 2^nd Lt C.C Sands departed 1ASD at 1440 hrs for the 15min ferry flight to No.68 (Australian) Sqn.

04Jan18 TOC with No.2 Sqn Australian Flying Corp (AFC) when 68 Sqn RFC was renamed.

06Jan18 2^nd Lt P.H Lawson departed Baizieux at 1605hrs for the ferry flight to the Squadron’s new base at Auchel aerodrome. At 1715hrs the aircraft arrived at Auchel and was preparing to land when, at 400ft, the machine entered a flat spin and crashed on the end of the runway. The aircraft burst into flames upon impact and the pilot was killed in the conflagration and the aircraft completely destroyed.

AFC pilot 2^nd Lieutenant Percy Harold Lawson (21) single of Largs Bay SA is buried in Grave A.7 Section VIII of the Lapugnoy Military Cemetery near Bethune in Nord Pas de Calais, France. He is also remembered at panel 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, ACT.

09Jan18 Aircraft struck off charge.

SE5A B55 on delivery to 2Sqn AFC at Baizieux aerodrome 07Dec17

B70

1917 Built as Serial B70 the 70^th of 200 S.E.5a aircraft built under license in the Serial Range B1 to B200 by the Air Navigation Co in their UK facility at Addlestone, Surrey UK. Built to contract 87/A/1616 dated 01 February 2017. Fitted with a 200hp (150kW) Hispano-Suiza HS-8 Engine No.1081.

31Oct17 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force, France.

00Nov17 Taken on charge by the RFC for acceptance testing by the RFC Aeronautical Inspection Department at No.10 Aircraft Acceptance Park near Weybridge, Surrey UK

19Nov17 Flown to No.2 Aeroplane Supply Depot (2ASD) at Fienvillers, 22km NNW of Amiens

02Dec17 Allocated to No.68 (Australian) Sqn at Baizieux aerodrome, 24km NE of Amiens France.

07Dec17 2^nd Lt H Taylor departed 2ASD at 0910 hrs for the 15min ferry flight to No.68 (Australian) Sqn.

04Jan18 TOC with No.2 Sqn Australian Flying Corp (AFC) when 68 Sqn RFC was renamed.

09Jan18 Flown by Lt W.A Robertson from Baizieux aerodrome to Auchel aerodrome, Pas-de-Calais, 72km NNE of Amiens when 2Sqn was relocated.

22Jan18 Flown by 2^nd Lt A.L Paxton from Auchel aerodrome to Savy-Berlette aerodrome, Hauts-de-France, 18km NW of Arras when 2Sqn was relocated.

24Jan18 2^nd Lt A.L Paxton developed engine problems at 1520hrs and was forced to land at 11Sqn. The aircraft was repaired by 11Sqn personnel and RTB at 1625hrs the next day.

29Jan18 1^st Combat Mission. Lt L. Benjamin departed Savy at 1320hrs for an Offensive Patrol but was forced to abort at 1345hrs and RTB with engine problems.

03Feb18 Successful engine test flight flown by Lt R.W McKenzie at 1105hrs.

18Feb18 2^nd Lt R. Lang aborted an Offensive Patrol with oil pressure problems.

28Feb18 Lt A.L Paxton aborted an Offensive Patrol with oil pressure problems.

08Mar18 Lt A.R Rackett aborted an Offensive Patrol with oil pressure problems.

09Mar18 0855 Lt A.L Paxton aborted an Offensive Patrol with engine problems.

1400 Lt A.R Rackett aborted an Offensive Patrol with oil pressure problems.

10Mar18 0945hrs. Lt A.R Rackett flew a successful engine test flight.

1455hrs Lt A.R Rackett aborted an Offensive Patrol with engine problems.

11Mar18 Lt A.R Rackett aborted an Offensive Patrol at 1215hrs with engine problems.

15Mar18 1100hrs Lt A.R Rackett flew a successful engine test flight.

1140hrs Lt A.R Rackett flew a successful 1hr 45min Offensive Patrol.

22Mar18 Lt A.R Rackett departed Savy at 1655hrs with five other B Flight machines led by CPT R.W Howard for an Offensive Patrol near Cambrai. Rackett spotted a lone two-seater 1000ft below him SW of Cambrai and dived to attack, firing 60 rounds at very close range. The EA immediately rolled over and entered a steep dive and was still diving out of control when it entered the ground mist and was lost to view at 1000ft near Honnecourt.

23Mar18 Lt A.R Rackett aborted an Offensive Patrol at 1335hrs with engine problems.

24Mar18 0900hrs Lt A.R Rackett flew a successful engine test flight.

1110hrs Lt A.R Rackett flew a successful 2hr 25min Offensive Patrol.

02Apr18 Moved from Savy-Berlette aerodrome to Bertangles airfield 10km NW of Amiens.

05Apr18 0705hrs. Lt A.R Rackett aborted an Offensive Patrol with a broken oil pipe.

1425hrs Flown by Lt A.R Rackett from Bertangles aerodrome to La Bellevue airfield 41km NNE of Amiens when 2Sqn was relocated.

03May18 Lt H Hamilton force landed for fuel at 32Sqn RAF.

04May18 Lt H Hamilton aborted an Offensive Patrol at 1640hrs with engine problems.

05May18 Lt A.R Rackett flew a successful engine test flight at 1140hrs.

16May18 While leading five A Flight machines on an Offensive Patrol at 17000ft over Beugny CPT R.C Phillipps saw six Pfalz scouts 500ft below heading west. Phillips and Lt E.D Cummings (C5441) dived to attack. Phillipps fired 200 rounds into a Pfalz D.III with a silver fuselage and dark green wings at 100 yards range. The Pfalz fell out of formation and glided east before rolling over and diving down until it crashed just west of Beaumetz.

28May18 Lt A.R Rackett force landed at Vert Galand 0915hrs when out of oil. RTB 1100hrs.

30May18 CPT E.L Simonson aborted an Offensive Patrol at 0730hrs with oil problems.

01Jun18 Lt A.R Rackett flew a successful engine test flight at 1640hrs.

02Jun18 Lt F.T Currie flew an unsuccessful engine test flight at 1805hrs.

04Jun18 1200hrs Lt H.E Hamilton flew with CPT H.G Forrest [C9539] at for the 45min relocation flight to the new operating Base at Focquerolles aerodrome, Hauts-de-France, 65km south of Amiens.

1530hrs Lt H.E Hamilton was departing for a local training flight when the engine cut out just before lift-off causing the machine to crash into the boundary fence and burst into flames. The pilot escaped with serious injuries but the aircraft was destroyed. Lt Hamilton was admitted to the Beauvais French Military Hospital where he remained until he was admitted to the Astoria Hospital in Paris on 01Jul18 before being repatriated to the 3^rd General Hospital in London on 29Jul18. He never returned to active duty.

00Jun18 Aircraft struck off charge.

B188

1917 Built as Serial B188 the 188^th of 200 S.E.5a aircraft built under license in the Serial Range B1 to B200 by the Air Navigation Co in their UK facility at Addlestone, Surrey UK. Built to contract 87/A/1616 dated 01 February 2017. Fitted with a 200hp (150kW) Hispano-Suiza HS-8 Engine No.116449.

00Jan18 Taken on charge by the RFC for acceptance testing by the RFC Aeronautical Inspection Department at No.10 Aircraft Acceptance Park near Weybridge, Surrey UK

20Feb18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force, France.

02Mar18 Aircraft disassembled, packed into cases and dispatched to the British Expeditionary Force, No.2 Aeroplane Supply Depot at Fienvillers, 22km NNW of Amiens, France.

22Mar18 Received by No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot (1ASD) at St Omer airfield, Pas-de-Calais France.

24Mar18 Received by 2ASD.

10Apr18 Allocated to No.2 Sqn Australian Flying Corps at La Bellevue airfield, 41km NNE of Amiens.

25Apr18 CPT E.L Simonson departed 2ASD at 1140 hrs for the 20min ferry flight to La Bellevue

03May18 Due to depart La Bellevue at 0955 hrs with six other SE5 aircraft but a technical glitch delayed departure for 50 minutes. Lt E.D Cummings DFC eventually departed at 1045 hrs to join the Offensive Patrol near Albert. Enroute Cummings spotted a lone German Fokker Dr.I Scout a few thousand feet below him and immediately dived to attack; after two accurate bursts the German toppled over and crashed to earth near Meteren. Turning to climb back up he was then bounced by five or six Fokker Triplanes from Jasta 'Boelcke'.

Realising the hopelessness of the situation Cummings turned towards his nearest adversary and charged head-on with guns blazing. The German broke first and dived under Cummings who instantly latched onto the German's tail and hit it with a good burst and watched it spin away earthward. The remaining Germans then proceeded to pepper Cummings aircraft with intense and accurate machine-gun fire and eventually forced him to crash land in the forward allied trenches near Merville. Cummings was rescued by Australian troops but the aircraft was repeatedly strafed by the angry Germans and then shelled by German artillery until it was matchwood.

00May18 Aircraft struck off charge.

[Captain Eric Douglas Cummings (13 April 1896 – 27 October 1979) was an Australian World War I flying ace credited with nine aerial victories while flying for the Australian Flying Corps. Postwar, he was an integral part of fund-raising campaigns to care for his fellow Australian military veterans. He then served in the Royal Air Force reserves until reactivated for service during World War II.]

B525

1917 Built as Serial B525 the 25^th of 200 S.E.5a aircraft built under license in the Serial Range B501 to B700 by Vickers Ltd (Aviation Department) in their UK facility at Weybridge, Surrey UK. Built to contract 87/A/1627 dated 06 February 2017. Fitted with a 200hp (150kW) Hispano-Suiza HS-8 Engine No.770.

00Aug17 Taken on charge by the RFC for acceptance testing by the RFC Aeronautical Inspection Department at No.10 Aircraft Acceptance Park near Weybridge, Surrey UK

08Aug17 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force, France.

14Aug17 Flown by RFC Ferry Pilot Lt Grosvenor to No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot (1ASD) at St Omer airfield, Pas-de-Calais France.

23Aug17 Received for use by No.56 Sqn at Estrée Blanche airfield Pas-de-Calais, France.

00Dec17 200hp Hispano-Suiza HS-8 Engine No.770 replaced by 200hp Hispano-Suiza HS-8 No.986

28Jan18 Classified as Unfit for Operational Use.

02Feb18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Serny airfield

00Mar18 Received for reconstruction at 1ASD.

00Mar18 Allocated to N.2 Sqn Australian Flying Corps (AFC) at Savy-Berlette aerodrome, Hauts-de-France 18km NW of Arras.

20Mar81 200hp Hispano-Suiza HS-8 Engine No.986 replaced by 200hp Hispano-Suiza HS-8 No.115690

28Mar18 Received by 2Sqn AFC.

30Mar18 1^st Combat Mission. Lt F.R Smith departed Savy at 0720hrs as one of 12 SE5s led by CPT H.G Forrest [C9539] for a Special Mission to attack advancing German troops.

01Apr18 2^nd Lt A.L Paxton departed Savy at 1100hrs along with four other A Flight machines for the relocation flight to Bertangles airfield 10km NW of Amiens,.

05Apr18 2^nd Lt A.L Paxton departed Savy at 1100hrs along with four other A Flight machines for the relocation flight to La Bellevue airfield, Hauts-de-France, 41km NNE of Amiens

06Apr18 2^nd Lt A.L Paxton departed La Bellevue at 1400hrs along with three other A Flight machines led by Lt A.G Clark [D3429]. At 15105hrs the patrol sighted and attacked a lone German two-seater Reconnaissance machine near La Motte. The four pilots took turns firing bursts into the EA until the aircraft crashed near La Motte. The four pilots shared the victory equally.

00May18 200hp Hispano-Suiza HS-8 Engine No.115690 replaced by 200hp Hispano-Suiza HS-8 No.40341.

10May18 2^nd Lt A.L Paxton flew a successful 25min engine test flight at 1725hrs.

01Jun18 One of 12 SE5 machines in two flights that departed La Bellevue airfield at 1800 hrs for an Offensive Patrol 20km east of Villers-Brettonneux. At 13,500ft the flights engaged eight German Pfalz and Fokker Scouts. Lt A.R Rackett damaged a Pfalz and a Fokker before his engine failed and he was forced to land behind enemy lines at Bourchoir (between Roze and Amiens).

Lt Archie Roye Rackett was captured and beaten by German soldiers before being taken away to Landshut POW camp, then to Stralsund POW Camp for the remainder of the War. He was returned to the UK on 01Jan19 then repatriated to Australia on the Blue Funnel Line steamer SS Anchises III on 02Mar19.

16Jun18 Aircraft struck off charge.

C5441

1918 Built as Serial C5441 the 141^st of 150 S.E.5a aircraft built under license in the Serial Range C5301 to C5450 by Vickers Ltd in their UK facility at Crayford in Kent. Built to contract AS10480 dated 06 September 1917. Fitted with a 180hp [135kW] Wolesley Viper Engine No.116445.

00Mar18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force, France.

05Mar18 Flown from Vickers Crayford to No.2 Aeroplane Supply Depot (2ASD) at Fienvillers, 22km NNW of Amiens.

07Apr18 Received by 2ASD Issues Section.

00Apr18 Allocated to No.2 (Australian) Sqn AFC at La Bellevue airfield, Hauts-de-France, 41km NNE of Amiens

04May18 Lt D.K Stuttard departed 2ASD at 1655hrs with Lt G. Cox (C5443) and Lt F.T Currie (B195) for the 15min delivery flight to 2Sqn.

07May18 CPT R.C Phillipps flew a successful 15min acceptance test flight.

08May18 1^st Combat Mission. CPT R.C Phillipps departed La Bellevue at 1400hrs leading five B Flight machines for an uneventful Offensive Patrol near Armentieres.

19May18 CPT R.C Phillipps aborted an Offensive Patrol at 1855hrs with oil troubles.

28May18 CPT R.C Phillipps aborted a post maintenance test flight when the magneto failed.

02Jun18 CPT R.C Phillipps aborted an Offensive Patrol at 0710hrs with engine problems.

03Jun18 The squadron moved en masse from La Bellevue aerodrome to Focquerolles aerodrome, Hauts-de-France, 65km south of Amiens. The following 14 aircraft departed La Bellevue at 0855hrs and arrived Focquerolles at 1000hrs:

C5441 CPT R.C Phillips C9541 CPT A.T Cole C5440 CPT E.L Simonson

B195 Lt E.D Cummings D3960 Lt A.C Cameron D3431 Lt G. Cox

B187 Lt C.F Felstead D6869 MAJ A.M Jones C9496 Lt F.R Smith

D6860 Lt L.J Primrose B184 Lt R. L Manuel D3429 Lt W.Q Adams

D3962 Lt J.A Adam B4895 Lt H.E Hamilton

04Jun18 Lt L.J Primrose departed Focquerolles at 1425hrs for a Practice Patrol in the new area. While Contour Chasing the airplane impacted the ground killing the pilot and destroying the machine. The cause of the accident was never determined.

AFC pilot Lieutenant Leslie John Primrose (28) single of Ballarat, VIC is buried in Grave No.53 of the Catenoy French National Cemetery, 9km ESE of Clermont in the Oise Department, France.. He is also remembered at panel 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, ACT.

Catenoy French National Cemetery France

D212

00Jan18 Built as Serial D212 the 12^th of 250 S.E.5a aircraft built under license in the Serial Range D201 to D450 by Vickers Ltd (Aviation Department) in their UK facility at Weybridge, Surrey UK. Built to contract AS35174 dated 08 November 2017. Fitted with a 200hp (150kW) Hispano-Suiza HS-8 Engine No.116112.

00Jan18 Received for acceptance checks at No.10 Aircraft Acceptance Park at Brooklands near Weybridge, Surrey UK.

21Jan18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force, France.

24Jan18 Despatched by air to No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot (1ASD) at St Omer airfield, Pas-de-Calais, France.

25Jan18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Rely airfield.

00Jan18 Allocated to No.2 Sqn AFC at Savy-Berlette aerodrome, Hauts-de-France 18km NW of Arras

28Jan18 2^nd Lt R. Lang departed 1ASD at 1145hrs for the 20min delivery flight to 2Sqn. Issued to B Flight.

03Feb18 1^st Combat Mission. Lt. L.H Holden departed Savy at 1215hrs for an Offensive Patrol but was forced to RTB at 1235hrs with engine problems.

05Feb18 Lt L.H Holden flew a successful 35min post maintenance test flight.

09Feb18 Lt R.W Howard departed Savy with three other C Flight machines on Detachment for a Gunnery Training Mission at the RFC Aerial Gunnery Range at Berck-sur-Mer. The aircraft completed the course without incident and all RTB on 17Feb18.

18Feb18 Lt R.W Howard (D212) and Lt L.H Holden (D214) departed Savy on an offensive patrol east of the lines towards Lille, and near Carvin met six red-tailed Albatros D.V scouts. The pair dived and attacked, sending one Albatros into a vertical spin, with the others heading off east to land at Lille.

27Feb18 CPT R.W Howard was forced to abort a post maintenance test flight with engine problems.

00Mar18 Hispano-Suiza HS-8 Engine No.116112 replaced by Serial No.115644.

08Mar18 While leading four B Flight machines at 1045hrs CPT Howard saw two enemy two-seaters east of Lens. The four SE5s dived and fired on both enemy. One EA went down out of control and crash landed near Auby.

At 1105hrs the patrol met an enemy two seater near Henin Lietard, Howard and Lt Paxton (C9496) dived to attack and after two passes the enemy fell away OOC.

At 1120hrs a single Albatros D.V approached the flight from the direction of Douai. The patrol engaged this enemy and Howard fired a long burst into it from 25 yards range. Which caused the enemy to enter a vertical spin OOC and disappear into the ground mist.

09Mar18 CPT R.W Howard departed Savy at 0835hrs leading four B Flight machines for an Offensive Patrol in the Lens area. At 0935hrs while patrolling between Lens and La Bassée CPT Howard saw a formation of enemy Albatros D.V scouts approaching from the east. In the ensuing melee CPT Howard fired 100 rounds into one machine at very close range and caused the enemy to roll over and enter a slow wide spin before disappearing into the mist with thick smoke and flames issuing from the machine. He then engaged another Albatros and forced this machine down completely OOC near Lilies.

10Mar18 While leading four B Flight machines at 1540hrs CPT Howard saw seven Albatros D.V approaching from the east. Howard engaged one Albatros and forced it down OOC near La Bassée. Howard’s machine sustained moderate combat damage to the upper wings and tail unit.

17Mar18 CPT R.W Howard flew a successful 10min post maintenance test flight.

18Mar18 CPT R.W Howard departed Savy at 1120hrs leading four B Flight machines for an Offensive Patrol in the Lens area. At 1255hrs he engaged and shot down a Rumpler C in flames near Haubourdin.

22Mar18 CPT R.W Howard MC departed Savy at 1700hrs leading five B Flight machines for an Offensive Patrol in the Lens area. Failed to return and was last seen near Epehy heading W over lines at 3000ft. Listed as MIA.

04Oct18 A Court of Enquiry determined that CPT R.W Howard had been shot down and killed on 22Mar18. Witnesses stated that when last seen Howard was being pursued by up to 30 enemy scouts.

AFC pilot Captain Richard Watson Howard (23) single of Chatswood, Sydney NSW has no known grave and is remembered on the Arras Flying Services Memorial at Arras in the Nord Pas de Calais, France. He is also commemorated at panel 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, ACT

Arras Flying Services Memorial France

D3499

00Mar18 Built as Serial D3499 the 74^th of 150 S.E.5a aircraft built under license in the Serial Range D3426 to D3575 by Vickers Ltd (Aviation Department) in their UK facility at Weybridge, Surrey UK. Built to contract AS7861 dated 06 December 2017. Fitted with an 180hp (135kW) Hispano-Suiza HS-8 Engine No.887.

00Mar18 Received for acceptance checks at No.10 Aircraft Acceptance Park at Brooklands near Weybridge, Surrey UK.

1918 History between Mar18 and Feb19 is unknown.

00Feb19 Allocated for use to No.6 Training Squadron (6TS), 1^st Wing, Australia Flying Corps (AFC) at RAF Station Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire UK.

00Feb19 Received for acceptance checks by Aeroplane Repair Section (ARS) at Minchinhampton

00Feb19 Issued for use to 6TS and allocated to C Flight.

24Feb19 1^st recorded flight with 6TS when Lt Pye flew a 20min acceptance test flight.

01Mar19 CPT E.L Simonson flew a 15min local practice flight.

07Mar19 Lt G.K Shilliday flew an Altitude Mission to 17,600ft at 1350hrs

Cadet Harrison flew an Altitude Mission to 18,000ft at 1640hrs

10Mar19 Cadet Sands flew an Altitude Mission to 17,000ft at 1240hrs

11Mar19 Cadet Curley was flying in a formation flight to Tetbury and Swinton. At 1300hrs he was forced to land at Toulton because of engine problems. The machine was undamaged but Curley sustained minor head injuries. Instructor pilots Lt Ray and Lt Cox in Avro E1897 flew to the site. The downed machine was repaired and Lt Cox flew it back to Base at 1650hrs, Cadet Curley RTB with Lt Ray in the Avro.

12Mar19 Cadet T.L Keen was engaged in basic air fighting manoeuvres with Senior Instructor Captain L.H Holden (B129) when the pair became separated in bad weather. Unfortunately, Cadet Keen flew into the side of a hill at 0930hrs and was instantly killed.

AFC Air Cadet [ex-No.210 WOFF] Thomas Llewellyn Keen MC (28) single of Sydney NSW is buried in Leighterton Church Cemetery, Leighterton, Gloucestershire UK. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.

D3960

00Apr18 Built as Serial D3960 the 50^th of 100 S.E.5a aircraft built under license in the Serial Range D3911 to D4010 by Martinsyde Ltd in their UK factory at Brooklands, near Weybridge in Surrey UK. Built to contract AS12516 dated 08 December 2017. Fitted with a 200hp (150kW) Hispano-Suiza HS-8 Engine serial No.120152

00Apr18 Received for acceptance checks at No.10 Aircraft Acceptance Park at Brooklands near Weybridge, Surrey UK.

15Apr18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force, France.

21Apr18 Despatched by air to No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot (1ASD) at St Omer airfield, Pas-de-Calais, France.

30Apr18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Rely airfield.

10May18 Received by No.2 Aircraft Depot at Candas, Pas-de-Calais, France.

00May18 Allocated to No.2 Sqn AFC at La Bellevue airfield, 41km NNE of Amiens.

00May18 Received by 2ASD Issues Section

20May18 Lt C.H Copp departed 2ASD at 1245hrs for the 15min delivery flight.

21May18 Lt R.L Manuel flew a successful 25min acceptance test flight.

30May18 1^st Combat Mission. Lt C.H Copp departed Lab Bellevue at 1850hrs for an uneventful Offensive Patrol.

03Jun18 The squadron moved en masse from La Bellevue aerodrome to Focquerolles aerodrome, Hauts-de-France, 65km south of Amiens. The following 14 aircraft departed La Bellevue at 0855hrs and arrived Focquerolles at 1000hrs:

C5441 CPT R.C Phillips C9541 CPT A.T Cole C5440 CPT E.L Simonson

B195 Lt E.D Cummings D3960 Lt A.C Cameron D3431 Lt G. Cox

B187 Lt C.F Felstead D6869 MAJ A.M Jones C9496 Lt F.R Smith

D6860 Lt L.J Primrose B184 Lt R. L Manuel D3429 Lt W.Q Adams

D3962 Lt J.A Adam B4895 Lt H.E Hamilton

04Jun18 Lt A.C Cameron aborted a local training flight at 1600hrs with engine problems.

05Jun18 Lt A.C Cameron flew a successful Offensive Patrol near Amiens.

07Jun18 Lt A.C Cameron aborted an Offensive Patrol at 0220hrs with engine problems.

At 0755hrs Lt A.C Cameron flew a successful Offensive Patrol near Amiens.

08Jun18 Lt A.C Cameron aborted an Offensive Patrol at 1100hrs with engine problems.

09Jun18 Lt A.C Cameron flew a successful Offensive Patrol near La Bassée at 0800hrs.

At 1310hrs Lt A.C Cameron flew a low level bombing mission to Rollot.

At 1815hrs Lt F.W Sexton flew a low level bombing mission to Cuvilly.

10Jun18 Lt A.C Cameron aborted a low level bombing mission at 0605hrs with engine problems.

At 1140hrs Lt T.J Hammond flew a low level bombing mission to Noyon.

11Jun18 Lt R.L Manuel flew a successful Offensive Patrol near Cuvilly at 1310hrs.

12Jun18 At 04100hrs Lt T.J Hammond departed Focquerolles with four other C Flight machines for an Offensive Patrol to Montdiddier but failed to return to Base. The machine was last seen flying east over Noyon. Later on it was learned that Hammond was shot down in flames by Leutnant Pippart of Jagdstaffel 19 south of Lagnay near Noyon.

AFC pilot Lieutenant Themetre James Hammond (25) single of Adavale, QLD has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial, Arras in the Nord Pas de Calais, France. He is also remembered at panel 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.

Arras Flying Services Memorial France

00Jun18 Aircraft struck off charge.

D6913

00Jun18 Built as Serial D6913 the 63^rd of 150 S.E.5a aircraft built under license in the Serial Range D6851 to D7000 by Wolseley Motors in their UK facility at Birmingham in the West Midlands. Built to contract AS30281 dated 09 January 18. Fitted with an 180hp [135kW] Wolseley Viper Engine Serial No.2566

00Jun18 Received for acceptance checks at No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park at Coventry, UK.

04Jun18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force, France.

00Jun18 Allocated to No.2 Sqn AFC at Liettres aerodrome 80km north of Amiens

00Jun18 Despatched by air to No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot (1ASD) at Marquise airfield, Pas-de-Calais, France.

00Jun18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Marquise airfield.

26Jun18 Lt W.Q Adams departed 1ASD at 1605hrs for the 20min delivery flight to Liettres airfield.

29Jun18 2^nd Lt C.O Stone flew an unsuccessful acceptance test flight with engine problems.

01Jul18 Lt W.Q Adams flew a successful acceptance test flight.

02Jul18 At 1200hrs Lt W.Q Adams flew a successful combined engine test flight and 15min ferry flight to 2Sqn’s new operating base at Reclinghem airfield, Pas-de-Calais, 20km SSW of St Omer.

1^st Combat Mission. Lt W.Q Adams departed Reclinghem at 1645hrs with four other B Flight machines for an Offensive Patrol to Bapaume.

23Jul18 16 aircraft flew to Allonville to attend a Race Meeting! Pilots and aircraft involved were:

C1125 Lt F.W Follett C1934 CPT A.T Cole C1948 Lt R.L Manuel

C5440 CPT E.L Simonson C6403 Lt F.R Smith C6473 Lt J.S Disney

C9541 Lt F. Howard D3431 Lt F. Alberry D6860 CPT R.C Phillips

D6891 Lt E.R Dibbs D6912 Lt C.H Copp D6913 Lt J.J Wellwood

D6916 Lt C.O Stone D6919 Lt C.H Copp E3154 Lt M. Markham-Mills

E5965 Lt G.R Cox

CPT Cole forced landed at Allonville; Lt Dibbs force landed at 3Sqn AFC on the return leg and Lt Stone force landed at Bauvois on the return leg.

00Jul18 Viper Engine Serial No.2566 replaced by Viper Engine Serial No. No.2759/33859

31Jul18 One of five B Flight machines that departed Reclinghem at 1050hrs. At 1235hrs Lt J.J Wellwood attacked a lone Rumpler C near Armentières and drove it down after two firing passes.

01Aug18 Lt J.J Wellwood was flying an Offensive Patrol with Lts V.E Knight (D6194) and C.R Ebeling (B187) when they met a Rumpler C at 19000ft 5km NW of Lille. The enemy immediately dived for safety to the east and the three SE5s followed. Lt Wellwood fired 150 rounds from 100 yards then broke away as Lts Knight and Ebeling both made firing passes. Wellwood the made his second attack and the Rumpler went down vertically before crashing 6km SE of Lille.

11Aug18 The squadron was tasked to operate from Fienvillers aerodrome in support of the advancing French forces and the British 4^th Army. The following twelve SE5s departed Reclinghem at 1410hrs and conducted an uneventful Offensive patrol before landing at Fienvillers aerodrome:

D6860 CPT R.C Phillipps D6912 MAJ A.M Jones

E5989 Lt F.C. Markham-Mills C1934 CPT A.T Cole

D6950 Lt F. Howard D6941 Lt J. Wellwood

D6891 Lt C.F Felstead D6919 Lt C.O Stone

C6473 Lt E.D Cummings D6869 Lt C.H Copp

D6948 Lt F. Alberry C6403 Lt F.R Smith

The following three SE5s departed Reclinghem at 1600hrs and conducted an uneventful Offensive patrol before landing at Fienvillers aerodrome at 1800hrs:

D406 CPT E.L Simenson D6903 Lt A.C Cameron C1125 Lt F.W Follett

The following three SE5s departed Reclinghem at 1830hrs and conducted an uneventful Offensive patrol before landing at Fienvillers aerodrome at 2000hrs:

C1948 CPT R.L Manuel D6913 Lt F.T Currie E5965 Lt C.R Ebeling

12Aug18 The squadron was tasked to operate from Allonville aerodrome near Amiens to support the Allied advance on the Amiens Front of the Somme Sector. The following SE5s departed Reclinghem at the times shown:

0510hrs 0515hrs 0930hrs

C1934 CPT A.T Cole D6860 CPT R.C Phillipps D6912 MAJ A.M Jones

D6968 Lt J. Wellwood E5989 Lt F.C. Markham-Mills C6403 Lt F.R Smith

D6941 Lt J.S Ross D406 CPT E.L Simenson

D6913 Lt F.T Currie C1125 Lt F.W Follett

D6919 Lt C.O Stone D6891 Lt C.F Felstead

C6473 Lt E.D Cummings

All aircraft RTB later that evening.

23Aug18 Lt C.R Ebeling departed Reclinghem at 1750hrs for a visit to 1ASD at Marquise airfield. He departed for the return flight at 1955hrs but during the climb out he stalled at 100ft and the aircraft then rolled over and crashed beside the airfield, Lt Ebeling was pulled from the wreckage and admitted to the RAF Hospital at Marquise where he died later that night.

AFC pilot Lieutenant Claude Roy Ebeling (25) married of Cremorne, Sydney NSW is buried in Section II E.1 at the Terlincthun British Cemetery in Wimille, France. He is also remembered on panel 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.

Terlincthun, France

D6950

00Jun18 Built as Serial D6950 the 100^th of 150 S.E.5a aircraft built under license in the Serial Range D6851 to D7000 by Wolseley Motors in their UK facility at Birmingham in the West Midlands. Built to contract AS30281 dated 09 January 18. Fitted with an 180hp [135kW] Wolseley Viper Engine serial No.2730WD33830

21Jun18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force, France.

00Jul18 Received for acceptance checks at No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park at Coventry, UK.

00Jul18 Allocated to No.2 Sqn AFC at Reclinghem airfield, Pas-de-Calais, 20km SSW of St Omer.

00Jul18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section.

26Jul18 Lt G.F Holroyde departed 1ASD at 1650hrs for the 40min delivery flight to Reclinghem. Allotted to C Flight and assigned to Lt Howard. Aircraft coded V.

27Jul18 Lt F. Howard flew a successful 20min test flight at 0840hrs.

1^st Combat Mission. Lt F. Howard departed Reclinghem at 11200hrs for an uneventful Offensive Patrol.

29Jul18 Lt F. Howard aborted a Special Mission with engine problems at 0450hrs.

Lt F. Howard flew a successful 60min test flight at 1045hrs.

11Aug18 The squadron was tasked to operate from Fienvillers aerodrome in support of the advancing French forces and the British 4^th Army. The following twelve SE5s departed Reclinghem at 1410hrs and conducted an uneventful Offensive patrol before landing at Fienvillers aerodrome:

D6860 CPT R.C Phillipps D6912 MAJ A.M Jones

E5989 Lt F.C. Markham-Mills C1934 CPT A.T Cole

D6950 Lt F. Howard D6941 Lt J.J Wellwood

D6891 Lt C.F Felstead D6919 Lt C.O Stone

C6473 Lt E.D Cummings D6869 Lt C.H Copp

D6948 Lt F. Alberry C6403 Lt F.R Smith

The following three SE5s departed Reclinghem at 1600hrs and conducted an uneventful Offensive patrol before landing at Fienvillers aerodrome at 1800hrs:

D406 CPT E.L Simenson D6903 Lt A.C Cameron C1125 Lt F.W Follett

The following three SE5s departed Reclinghem at 1830hrs and conducted an uneventful Offensive patrol before landing at Fienvillers aerodrome at 2000hrs:

C1948 CPT R.L Manuel D6913 Lt F.T Currie E5965 Lt C.R Ebeling

13Aug18 The squadron was tasked to operate from Allonville aerodrome near Amiens to support the Allied advance on the Amiens Front of the Somme Sector. The following twelve SE5s departed Reclinghem at 0515hrs and arrived Allonville t 0600hrs.

A Flight B Flight

D6860 CPT R.C Phillipps C1934 CPT A.T Cole

E5989 Lt F.C. Markham-Mills E5965 Lt G.F Holroyde

D406 CPT E.L Simenson C6473 Lt E.D Cummings

C1125 Lt F.W Follett D6950 Lt F. Howard

D6891 Lt J.S DisneyD6903 Lt A.C Cameron

D6869 Lt C.H Copp

All aircraft, except C1934, returned safely to Reclinghem between 2005hrs and 2035hrs

22Aug18 Lt F. Howard aborted an Offensive Patrol with engine problems at 1815hrs.

Lt F. Howard flew a successful 95min test flight at 1900hrs.

29Aug18 Lt F. Howard aborted an Offensive Patrol with air pressure problems at 1035hrs.

21Sep18 Lt J.A Egan aborted an Offensive Patrol with engine problems at 1055hrs.

25Sep18 Lt F. Howard aborted an Offensive Patrol with carburettor problems at 1840hrs.

01Oct18 One of six C Flight machines that departed Reclinghem at 0950hrs with six A Flight machines for the 10min relocation flight to the new operating base at Serny airfield, Pas-de-Calais, 21km SW of St Omer airfield.

C1948 CPT R.L Manuel D6903 Lt G. F Holroyde D6912 Lt C.H Copp

D6950 Lt F. Howard D6995 Lt F.L Roberts F860 Lt B.L Kirk

02Oct18 Lt F. Howard aborted an Offensive Patrol with engine problems at 1030hrs.

20Oct18 The squadron moved en masse from Serny to a new operating base at Auchel aerodrome, Pas-de-Calais, 72km NNE of Amiens. The squadron flew in flights as follows departing Serny at 1435hrs and arriving Auchel at 1450hrs:

D6912 MAJ A.M Jones C6473 CPT E.D Cummings D406 CPT E.L Simenson

D6964 CPT A.T Cole C1125 Lt E.E Davies E5659 Lt C.H Copp

F5465 Lt M.E Marshall D6995 Lt F. Alberry D6919 Lt C.O Stone

C1948 Lt B.L Kirk F5466 Lt E.R Dibbs F5457 Lt G.H Blaxland

E5757 Lt A.L Long F860 Lt L.F Armstrong C6403 Lt W.M Heath

D6950 Lt F. Howard C1129 Lt F.L Roberts F5511 Lt J.J Wellwood

24Oct18 One of five C Flight machines that departed Auchel at 1030hrs for the 40min ferry flight to the new forward operating field at Pont-a-Marcq airfield, Hauts-de-France, 12km east of Lille. Aircraft involved were:

F5457 Lt G.H Blaxland E5669 Lt C.H Copp C1948 Lt B.L Kirk

F860 Lt J.A Egan D6950 Lt F. Howard

27Oct18 Lt F. Howard departed Pont-a-Marcq at 0655 with five other machines for an Offensive Patrol. He was last seen flying West near Tournai. Posted as MIA.

28Oct18 Aircraft struck off charge. Total accrued time was 185hrs 50min.

11Feb19 A Court of Enquiry held at Serny determined that Lt Howard was KIA on 27Oct18.

AFC pilot Lieutenant Francis Howard (24) single of Clunes VIC has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial, Arras in the Nord Pas de Calais, France. He is also remembered at panel 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, ACT.

Left: D6950 at Reclinghem airfield, France c.1918 Right: On the Reclinghem flight line with D6308, E5965, c.1918

D6968

00Jul18 Built as Serial D6968 the 118^th of 150 S.E.5a aircraft built under license in the Serial Range D6851 to D7000 by Wolseley Motors in their UK facility at Birmingham in the West Midlands. Built to contract AS30281 dated 09 January 18. Fitted with an 180hp [135kW] Wolseley Viper Engine serial No.2779WD33879

00Jul18 Received for acceptance checks at No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park at Coventry, UK.

23Jul18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force, France.

00Jul18 Despatched by air to No.2 Aeroplane Supply Depot (2ASD) at Berck-sur-Mer airfield, Pas-de-Calais, France.

00Jul18 Allocated to No.2 Sqn AFC at Reclinghem airfield, Pas-de-Calais, 20km SSW of St Omer.

00Aug18 Received by 2ASD Issues Section at Hesdin airfield.

06Aug18 Lt C.R Ebeling departed 2ASD Issues Section at 1000hrs with Lt C.O Stone (D6941) for the 20min delivery flight to Reclinghem.

07Aug18 1^st Combat Mission. Lt C.R Ebeling departed Reclinghem at 0455hrs for an uneventful Offensive Patrol.

09Aug18 Lt J.J Wellwood aborted an Offensive Patrol at 0730hrs with carburettor problems.

At 1105hrs Lt J.J Wellwood aborted a Special Mission at 1405hrs and force landed at Trezennes.

10Aug18 Lt V.E Knight aborted an Offensive Patrol at 0700hrs with engine problems and force landed at 58Sqn. RTB at 1945hrs the same day.

12Aug18 The squadron was tasked to operate from Allonville aerodrome near Amiens to support the Allied advance on the Amiens Front of the Somme Sector. The following SE5s departed Reclinghem at the times shown:

0510hrs 0515hrs 0930hrs

C1934 CPT A.T Cole D6860 CPT R.C Phillipps D6912 MAJ A.M Jones

D6968 Lt J. Wellwood E5989 Lt F.C. Markham-Mills C6403 Lt F.R Smith

D6941 Lt J.S Ross D406 CPT E.L Simenson

D6913 Lt F.T Currie C1125 Lt F.W Follett

D6919 Lt C.O Stone D6891 Lt C.F Felstead

C6473 Lt E.D Cummings

At 0920hrs Lt J.J Wellwood departed Allonville with four other B Flight machines for an Offensive Patrol. At 1100hrs the patrol encountered 7 Fokker biplanes at 15000ft over Licourt. Lt Wellwood selected one Fokker and fired two bursts into it and watched as it spun down and crashed south of Licourt.

13Aug18 The squadron was tasked to operate from Allonville aerodrome near Amiens to support the Allied advance on the Amiens Front of the Somme Sector. The following twelve SE5s departed Reclinghem at 0515hrs and arrived Allonville at 0600hrs.

A Flight B Flight

D6860 CPT R.C Phillipps C1934 CPT A.T Cole

E5989 Lt F.C. Markham-Mills E5965 Lt G.F Holroyde

D406 CPT E.L Simenson C6473 Lt E.D Cummings

C1125 Lt F.W Follett D6950 Lt F. Howard

D6891 Lt J.S DisneyD6903 Lt A.C Cameron

D6869 Lt C.H Copp

All aircraft, except C1934, returned safely to Reclinghem between 2005hrs and 2035hrs

00Aug18 Viper Engine serial No.2779WD33879 removed and sent to No.10 Air Park, replaced by Viper Engine Serial No. 3037WD45132

24Aug18 Lt J.J Wellwood aborted an Offensive Patrol at 1615hrs with engine problems

25Aug18 Lt J.J Wellwood shared the destruction of a DFW C with CPT A.T Cole (D6964)

06Sep18 Lt J.J Wellwood departed Reclinghem at 0600hrs with five other machines to escort 4Sqn Camels and 88Sqn Bristols. At 1900hrs they were attacked by seven Fokker D.VII biplanes and in the resultant melee Lt Wellwood drove down a Fokker D.VII near Douai.

24Sep18 Lt J.J Wellwood departed Reclinghem at 1800hrs with five other machines for an Offensive Patrol to Harbourdin. At 1830hrs the patrol met three Pfalz D.III Scouts at 12000ft over Perenchies and attacked immediately. Lt Wellwood selected one dark red Pfalz and closed to point blank range before firing 50 rounds into the cockpit area. The Pfalz burst into flames and dived straight down and crashed just to the NW of Harbourdin aerodrome.

01Oct18 One of six B Flight machines that departed Reclinghem at 0950hrs for the 10min relocation flight to Serny airfield, Pas-de-Calais, 21km SW of St Omer airfield.

B8392 Lt F.T Currie C6403 Lt F.R Smith D6919 Lt A.L Long

D6964 CPT A.T Cole D6968 Lt J.A McKeown F5465 Lt L. Franks

00Oct18 Viper Engine serial No. 3037WD45132removed and sent to No.10 Air Park, replaced by Viper Engine Serial No.2772WD23872

08Oct18 2^nd Lt N.E Marshall flew a successful 20min engine test flight.

09Oct18 Lt J.A McKeown drove down a Fokker D.VII near Lille.

14Oct18 Lt J.A McKeown departed Serny with five other machines at 1525hrs and failed to return. Posted as MIA

15Oct18 Pilot declared KIA.

16Octt18 Aircraft struck off charge with a Total accrued flight time of 151hrs 05min.

AFC pilot Lieutenant John Alexander Hunter (24) single of Werribee VIC is buried in Grave 1.C Section 14 of the Laventie Military Cemetery, La Gorgue in Nord Pas de Calais, France. He is also remembered at panel 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, ACT.

Laventie Military Cemetery, La Gorgue France

E5965

00Jul18 Built as Serial E5965 the 29^th of 100 S.E.5a aircraft built under licence in the Serial Range E5937 to E6036 by the Air Navigation Co in their UK facility at Addlestone, Surrey UK. Built to contract 35A/390/C281 dated 03 April 1918. Fitted with an 180hp [135kW] Wolesley Viper Engine No.2740WD33840

00Jul18 Received for acceptance checks at No.10 Aircraft Acceptance Park at Brooklands near Weybridge, Surrey UK.

00Jul18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force, France.

00Jul18 Received by No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot (1ASD) at Marquise airfield, Pas-de-Calais, France.

00Jul18 Allocated to No.2 (Australian) Sqn AFC at Reclinghem airfield, Pas-de-Calais, 20km SSW of St Omer

00Jul18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Rely airfield.

19Jul18 Lt G. Cox departed 1ASD at 1640hrs for the 20min delivery flight to Reclinghem airfield. Aircraft allotted to C Flight and assigned to Lt G Cox. Coded ‘X’.

20Jul18 1^st Combat Mission. Lt G. Cox departed Reclinghem at 1945hrs on a Special Mission with four other C Flight machines as escorts for RAF bombers.

23Jul18 16 aircraft flew to Allonville to attend a Race Meeting! Pilots and aircraft involved were:

C1125 Lt F.W Follett C1934 CPT A.T Cole C1948 Lt R.L Manuel

C5440 CPT E.L Simonson C6403 Lt F.R Smith C6473 Lt J.S Disney

C9541 Lt F. Howard D3431 Lt F. Alberry D6860 CPT R.C Phillips

D6891 Lt E.R Dibbs D6912 Lt C.H Copp D6913 Lt J.J Wellwood

D6916 Lt C.O Stone D6919 Lt C.H Copp E3154 Lt M. Markham-Mills

E5965 Lt G.R Cox

CPT Cole forced landed at Allonville; Lt Dibbs force landed at 3Sqn AFC on the return leg and Lt Stone (D6919) force landed at Bauvois also on the return leg. Stone RTB at 1445hrs the following day.

24Jul18 Lt G. Cox aborted an Offensive Patrol with oil pressure problems.

07Aug118 Lt G. Holroyde aborted an Offensive Patrol with engine problems and force landed at Rely airfield. Engine repaired and RTB at 1005hrs.

11Aug18 The squadron was tasked to operate from Fienvillers aerodrome in support of the advancing French forces and the British 4^th Army. The following twelve SE5s departed Reclinghem at 1410hrs and conducted an uneventful Offensive patrol before landing at Fienvillers aerodrome:

D6860 CPT R.C Phillipps D6912 MAJ A.M Jones

E5989 Lt F.C. Markham-Mills C1934 CPT A.T Cole

D6950 Lt F. Howard D6941 Lt J. Wellwood

D6891 Lt C.F Felstead D6919 Lt C.O Stone

C6473 Lt E.D Cummings D6869 Lt C.H Copp

D6948 Lt F. Alberry C6403 Lt F.R Smith

The following three SE5s departed Reclinghem at 1600hrs and conducted an uneventful Offensive patrol before landing at Fienvillers aerodrome at 1800hrs:

D406 CPT E.L Simenson D6903 Lt A.C Cameron C1125 Lt F.W Follett

The following three SE5s departed Reclinghem at 1830hrs and conducted an uneventful Offensive patrol before landing at Fienvillers aerodrome at 2000hrs:

C1948 CPT R.L Manuel D6913 Lt F.T Currie E5965 Lt C.R Ebeling

13Aug18 The squadron was tasked to operate from Allonville aerodrome near Amiens to support the Allied advance on the Amiens Front of the Somme Sector. The following twelve SE5s departed Reclinghem at 0515hrs and arrived Allonville t 0600hrs.

A Flight B Flight

D6860 CPT R.C Phillipps C1934 CPT A.T Cole

E5989 Lt F.C. Markham-Mills E5965 Lt G.F Holroyde

D406 CPT E.L Simenson C6473 Lt E.D Cummings

C1125 Lt F.W Follett D6950 Lt F. Howard

D6891 Lt J.S DisneyD6903 Lt A.C Cameron

D6869 Lt C.H Copp

All aircraft, except C1934, returned safely to Reclinghem between 2005hrs and 2035hrs

16Aug18 Lt J.A Egan aborted an Offensive Patrol with engine problems and force landed at Serny. RTB at 1610hrs

18Aug18 Wolesley Viper Engine No.2740WD33840 removed and sent to No.10 Air Park, replaced by Wolesley Viper Engine Serial No.2922WD45017

27Aug81 Lt G. Cox shot down a Fokker D.VII near Sains.

Lt G. Cox drove down a Fokker D.VII near Sains.

Lt G. Cox drove down a Pfalz D.III near Sains.

31Aug18 Lt G. Cox aborted an Offensive Patrol with carburettor problems.

21Sep18 Lt G. Cox departed Reclinghem at 1005hrs along with 17 other machines foe a full Squadron Patrol. Lt Cox was last seen at 1127hrs flying low over Armentieres headed west. Failed to RTB and posted as MIA.

05Oct18 Lt Cox reported as a POW by the Copenhagen POW Committee.

AFC pilot Lieutenant George Cox (24) married of Carlton VIC was shot down and captured on 21Sep18. He was interned in at least three POW Camps, Karlsbruch, Landschut and Inolstadt, until he was released after the Armistice and repatriated to Dover on 24Dec1918. He was returned to Australia in March 1919.

Lt G Cox with E5965 at Reclinghem airfield c.1918

Lt G. Cox flew E5965 to attend the 4^th Australian Division race meeting at Allonville on 23July 1918

PMcG 2020-04-16

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon