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Paul McGuiness RAAF Archive
Paul McGuiness is an Australian aviation researcher and historian. Using primary sources he has assembled detailed information on the history of each plane
used by Australians and Australian forces in WWl and WW2, and on personnel involved.

This page contains many names, dates, locations. To help find the one(s) you're interested in, use our Highlighting facility.
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Paul McGuiness Biography

History of Australian Military Aviation

First World War

Armstrong Whitworth FK3

Avro 504

Bristol F2b Fighter

Fairey Aviation Model lllD Seaplane

Martinsyde G.100 G 102 Elephant

Maurice Farman S.11 Shorthorn

Royal Aircraft Factory BE2

Royal Aircraft Factory BE12

Royal Aircraft Factory RE.8

Royal Aircraft Factory SE5A Experimental Scout

Sopwith Camel B Series

Sopwith Camel C D E F Series

Sopwith Snipe

Sopwith Scout (Pup)

Sopwith 1½ Strutter

Supermarine Seagull lll

Supermarine Southampton Mk 1

Westland Wapiti


Post First World War

Bristol Bulldog

De Havilland DH.9A

Hawker Demon

Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5A

Avro 504K


Second World War

3 Sqn Gladiators 1940-1941

3 Sqn Gauntlets 1940-1941

10 Sqn Sunderlands

451 Sqn Spitfires Med 43-44 Europe 44-46

452 Sqn Spitfires Europe 41-42

455 Sqn Hampdens 1941-43

458 Sqn Wellingtons

460 Sqn Wellingtons

461 Sqn Sunderlands

462 Sqn Halifax Part 1 MTO

462 Sqn Aug 44 May 45 Part 2 ETO

466 Sqn Wellingtons


Further Information:

Aces and Aviators WWl Database

Material Relating to Australia


RAAF/Australia Links

Allied Losses Database - RAAF

RAAF Honour Roll

Kracker Luftwaffe Archive - RAAF

Battle of Britain Database - RAAF

Allied Graves Worldwide - RAAF

Aircraft Types Used By Australian Forces 1914 - 1918

Sopwith Camel C D E F Series

Served with 4 Sqd, 5 Sqd, 6 Sqd, 8 Sqd Australian Flying Corps

The Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter aircraft that was introduced on the Western Front in 1917. It was developed by the Sopwith Aviation Company as a successor to the Sopwith Pup and became one of the best known fighter aircraft of the Great War. The Camel was powered by a single rotary engine and was armed with twin synchronized Vickers machine guns. Though proving difficult to handle, it provided for a high level of manoeuvrability to an experienced pilot, an attribute which was highly valued in the type's principal use as a fighter aircraft. In total, Camel pilots have been credited with downing 1,294 enemy aircraft, more than any other Allied fighter of the conflict. Towards the end of the First World War, the type had also seen use as a ground-attack aircraft, partially due to it having become increasingly outclassed as the capabilities of fighter aircraft on both sides were rapidly advancing at that time.

C101

00Mar18 Built as C101 the 101st of 200 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range C1 to C200 under licence by Nieuport & General Aircraft Co Ltd in their Cricklewood facility in London. Built to Contract AS14412/17 dated 20 August 1917. Fitted with a 130hp (97kW) Clérget 9B nine-cylinder air-cooled rotary engine Serial No.21329WD45868.

00Apr18 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) for acceptance checks by No.7 Aircraft Acceptance Park (7AAP) at Kenley, London.

00May18 Allocated to No.5 Training (Australian) Squadron, 1st Wing AFC at RFC Station Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire UK.

00May18 Received for use by 5TS.

02Jun18 2nd Lt S.H Dreamer departed Minchinhampton at 1200hrs for a local training flight. Soon after lift-off the engine cut out and Dreamer tried to land straight ahead behind the hangars. The aircraft landed heavily and bounced onto its nose resulting in damage to the airscrew, undercarriage and stbd lower mainplane. Repaired at the Unit.

03Jul18 Tail skid, wheels and shock absorbers replaced at the Unit.

13Jul18 2nd Lt T.C Cox landed heavily which caused serious structural damage. Pilot was uninjured.

19Jul18 Transported by road to ARS Leighterton for assessment. Assessed as Worthy of Repair and repairs commenced.

29Jul18 Returned for use to 5TS.

02Aug18 2nd Lt A.J W Crawford departed Minchinhampton for a local training flight and suffered an engine failure immediately after lift-off. Landing straight ahead Crawford collided with a parked Sopwith Scout near the hangars. Minor damage assessed as Worthy of Repair and repairs commenced at the Unit.

22Aug18 Repairs completed and then allocated to and received by No.8 Training (Australian) Squadron, 1st Wing AFC at RFC Station Leighterton, Gloucestershire.

03Sep18 At 0850hrs Cadet C.T Watts departed Leighterton on his first Camel flight. At 0903hrs he attempted a right hand vertical turn but lost control and entered a spin from which he did not recover. The aircraft smashed into the ground at high speed killing the pilot instantly.

04Sep18 The machine was transported to ARS Leighterton where it was assessed as Not Worthy of Repair and written-off. Total accrued flight time was 53hrs 35min.

09Sep18 AFC cadet pilot No.31928 Cecil Thomas Watts (25) single of Stratford, London England was buried in Grave No.1929 in Section.35 of the Wood Range Cemetery in Manor Park, London. He is also He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra

Cecil Thomas Watts was born in Stratford, London in 1893 and moved to Australia in 1914 where he became a grazier. He enlisted in Brisbane, Queensland on 11 September 1916 and was attached to the 10/13th Field Artillery Brigade. He embarked from Sydney aboard the 12,000 ton Royal Mail Packet RMS Osterley arriving in Portsmouth on 11Apr17. In October he was stricken with a case of severe bronchitis and was hospitalized until the early January 1918. He was accepted into the RFC No.2 School of Military Aeronautics in Oxford and posted as a Cadet to No.8 (Australian) Training Squadron at Leighterton.

C103

00Mar18 Built as C103 the 103rd of 200 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range C1 to C200 under licence by Nieuport & General Aircraft Co Ltd in their Cricklewood facility in London. Built to Contract AS14412/17 dated 20 August 1917. Fitted with a 130hp (97kW) Clérget 9B nine-cylinder air-cooled rotary engine Serial No.21322WD34705.

00Apr18 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) for acceptance checks by No.7 Aircraft Acceptance Park (7AAP) at Kenley, London.

00May18 Allocated to No.5 (Australian) Training Squadron, 1st Wing AFC at RFC Station Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire UK.

00Jun18 Received for use by 7TS.

21Jun18 Pilot 2nd Lt G.D Perry was conducting authorized aerobatics when he pulled out of a steep dive too roughly and the stbd wing collapsed. The aircraft spun to the ground striking a tree before impact. Douglas was removed from the wreckage alive but with serious internal and external injuries and taken to the Cottage Hospital, Tetbury Gloucestershire where he subsequently died from his injuries on 29 June 1918. The aircraft was destroyed in the accident and struck off charge.

23Jun19 AFC pilot 1010 2nd Lt Gilbert Douglas Perry (23) single of Petersham, Sydney NSW was buried in an unnumbered grave in the St Saviour’s Churchyard Cemetery in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.

Gilbert Douglas Perry, son of Gilbert Henry and Mary Ann Elizabeth Perry of Marrickville, Sydney Australia was born in Sydney in August 1895. He enlisted in the AIF on 09Feb1915 and joined the 4th Signals Troop who embarked from Sydney for Egypt on 31May15 aboard HMAT Merville, arriving Alexandria 17th July 1915. On 12May 1916 he embarked on RMS Oriana in Alexandria and disembarked in Marseilles to join the British Expeditionary Force. Following a bout of myalgia he was transferred to the UK and then rejoined 13th Field Company Engineers. In October 1917 he was accepted into the RFC No.1 School of Military Aeronautics in Reading, London and transferred to the AFC at Wendover in November 1917. In January 1918 he was attached to No.5 (Australian) Training Squadron at Minchinhampton.

C106

00Mar18 Built as C106 the 106th of 200 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range C1 to C200 under licence by Nieuport & General Aircraft Co Ltd in their Cricklewood facility in London. Built to Contract AS14412/17 dated 20 August 1917. Fitted with a 130hp (97kW) Clérget 9B nine-cylinder air-cooled rotary engine Serial NoWD30079.

00Apr18 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) for acceptance checks by No.7 Aircraft Acceptance Park (7AAP) at Kenley, London.

00May18 Allocated to No.5 (Australian) Training Squadron, 1st Wing AFC at RFC Station Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire UK.

00Jun18 Received for use by 5TS.

25Jul18 Lt G.D Allen force landed in a wheat field opposite the aerodrome causing damage to the forward fuselage and undercarriage.

00Jul18 Transported for repairs to ARS Leighterton where the lower wings, tail skid, tank straps, wheels, axles and shock absorbers were repaired and the aircraft was re-rigged and trued.

01Aug18 Received for use from ARS Leighterton, minus the engine.

07Sep18 Lt G.D Allen departed Minchinhampton at 1745hrs for an authorised aerobatics training flight. At 1805hrs he was looping the aircraft at 4000ft when he side-slipped and the machine flipped onto its back and entered a flat spin. The pilot was unable to recover from the spin and crashed inverted into a Dutch barn on a farm next to the aerodrome. The aircraft was totally destroyed and the pilot was killed.

08Sep18 Wreckage transported to ARS Leighterton for write-off action. Total accumulated flight time was 55hrs.

11Sep18 AFC pilot Lieutenant Geoffrey Dunster Allen (22) single of Haberfield, Sydney NSW was buried in Grave No.4 of the Leighterton Church Cemetery, in Leighterton, Gloucestershire UK. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.

Geoffrey Allen was born in Newcastle, NSW on 9th November 1896 and lived a normal life in Newcastle and then in the Sydney suburb of Haberfield. At an early age he obtained a Commission as a 2nd Lt in his school cadets before joining the Citizens Military Forces in January 1915, he then applied to join the Australian Flying Corps and was accepted on 15 June 1917. On 4th August 1917 he embarked for the UK aboard the 11,000 ton HMAT A32 ‘Themistocles” arriving Portsmouth in October 1917 and moving to the AFC Depot at Wendover in Buckinghamshire. Almost upon arrival at Wendover he was struck down by a severe case of bronchitis and moved to the Cambridge Military Hospital where he remained until April 1918.

From hospital he attended the RFC No.1 School of Military Aeronautics at Reading until June 1918, then moved to No.5 (Australian) Flying Training Squadron at Minchinhampton to complete his flying training. He obtained his wings on 28 July 1918

Lt Geoffrey Dunster Allen c.1918

C108

00Mar17 Built as C108 the 108th of 200 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range C1 to C200 under licence by Nieuport & General Aircraft Co Ltd in their Cricklewood facility in London. Built to Contract AS14412/17 dated 20 August 1917. Fitted with a 130hp (97kW) Clérget 9B nine-cylinder air-cooled rotary engine Serial No.21340WD45885.

00Apr18 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) for acceptance checks by No.7 Aircraft Acceptance Park (7AAP) at Kenley, London.

00May18 Allocated to No.8 Training (Australian) Squadron, 1st Wing AFC at RFC Station Leighterton, Gloucestershire.

00Jun18 Received for use by 8TS.

25Aug18 2nd Lt S.C Fry was on his first Camel flight practicing low altitude glides and turns when the engine choked whilst attempting a low altitude turn. At approximately 1145hrs the machine entered a spin from which Fry did not recover and the aircraft crashed to earth 500 yards to the South of the aerodrome. The machine was completely destroyed and Fry killed in the smash.

27Aug18 Aircraft struck off charge. Total accumulated flight time was 73hrs 25min.

28Aug18 AFC pilot 1704 2nd Lt Sydney Charles Fry (22) single of Maitland, NSW was buried in the Leighterton Churchyard Cemetery, Gloucestershire. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.

Sydney Charles Fry was born in West Maitland in 1894 and joined the AIF 6th Light Horse Regiment on 18 July 1915. He embarked for the Middle East on 01Nov15 aboard the 15,000 ton steamship HMAT A14 Euripides arriving in Alexandria, Egypt in January 1916 where he was transferred to the 2nd Light Horse Reserve Regiment. In May 1916 he was transferred to the 5th Division AIF and moved with them to France in July. He applied for flying training and was posted to the AFC Depot in Wendover, Buckinghamshire. After initial training at the RFC No.2 School of Military Aeronautics at Oxford he was posted to the 7th (Australian) Flying Training Squadron at Cirencester and gained his Wings. He was then attached to the 8th (Australian) Flying Training Squadron at Cirencester for additional training.

C127

00Apr18 Built as C127 the 127th of 200 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range C1 to C200 under licence by Nieuport & General Aircraft Co Ltd in their Cricklewood facility in London. Built to Contract AS14412/17 dated 20 August 1917. Fitted with a 130hp (97kW) Clérget 9B nine-cylinder air-cooled rotary engine Serial No.20350.

00May18 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) for acceptance checks by No.7 Aircraft Acceptance Park (7AAP) at Kenley, London.

00May18 Allocated to No.8 Training (Australian) Squadron, 1st Wing Australian Flying Corps at RFC Station Leighterton, Gloucestershire UK.

00Jun18 Received for use by 8TS.

11Jan19 2nd Lt Darcy Norman Rees was flying over the aerodrome at about 400ft when the engine failed and the machined nosed over and crashed on the aerodrome. Lt Rees sustained multiple fractures, abrasions, bruising and shock. The machine was extensively damaged. Rees (27) single of Kapunda, SA was initially admitted to the AFC Hospital then transferred to the 1st Australian General Hospital at Sutton Veny. In March 1919 he was invalided back to Australia on the 7,390 ton SS Karoola and discharged from the AIF.

Darcy Rees enlisted on 16Feb1915 in the 4th Light Horse Brigade and embarked from Australia in May 1915 aboard HMAT A19 Afric. He worked as a supply driver for two years in France before joining as a Cadet with No.2 School of Military Aeronautics at Oxford in December 1917. He graduated from No.8 Training Squadron at RFC Station Leighterton as a pilot in the Australian Flying Corps in May 1918. Soon after graduation he broke his collar bone and languished for several months in The Cottage Hospital, Tetbury followed by recuperation at Cobham Hall. In October 1919 he was posted to 1st Wing Officers Pool before being posted as an Instructor to No.8 Training Squadron on 01January 1919.

00Jan19 Aircraft wreckage transported to ARS Leighterton where it was assessed as Not Worthy of Repair and SOC.

C6746

00Jul18 Built as C6746 the 46th of 100 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range C6701 to C6800 under licence by British Caudron Company in their facility at Norwich, Norfolk. Built to Contract AS12815 dated 24 October 1917. Fitted with an 110hp (82kW) Le Rhône 9J nine-cylinder air-cooled rotary Engine No.102200WD4813.

00Jul18 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) for acceptance checks by No.2 Aircraft Acceptance Park (2AAP) at Hendon, London.

00Aug18 Allocated to No.8 Training (Australian) Squadron, 1st Wing AFC at RFC Station Leighterton, Gloucestershire.

00Aug18 Received for use by 8TS.

18Aug18 At approximately 1800hrs 2nd Lt D.A Ferguson in Sopwith Camel C6746 collided head-on with Lt Harry Taylor MC MM in Sopwith Scout D4170 while conducting an Aerial Fighting mission near Leighterton. Both aircraft fell to earth near the Church and when rescuers arrived at the crash sites they found both pilots were dead in the wrecked machines.

22Aug18 AFC pilot 2nd Lieutenant Douglas Abbott Ferguson (29) single of Enoggera, Brisbane QLD was buried in Grave No.181.413 in the Australian Military Burial Ground of the Brookwood Cemetery, Brookwood UK. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.

brookwood

Brookwood, UK

D1896

00Apr18 Built as D1896 the 121st of 200 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range D1776 to D1975 under licence by Ruston, Proctor & Co. Ltd in their UK factory at Lincoln, Lincolnshire UK. Built to Contract AS1809 dated 26 November 1917. Fitted with a 130hp (97kW) Clérget 9B nine-cylinder air-cooled rotary engine Serial No.R2391LS.

00Apr18 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) for acceptance checks by No.4 Aircraft Acceptance Park (4AAP) at Lincoln, Lincolnshire.

12Apr18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France.

00Apr18 Allocated to No.4 (F) Sqn Australian Flying Corps (AFC) at Bruay airfield Burgundy, 44km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France.

22Apr18 Despatched by air to No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot (1ASD) at Marquise airfield in Nord Pas-de-Calais, France.

24Apr18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Rely airfield, 20km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France.

01May18 Lt R.G Smallwood departed 1ASD at 1125hrs for the 20min ferry to Clairmarais North Aerodrome 6km NE of St Omer, Pas-de-Calais

03May18 1st Combat Mission. Lt G.H Pierce departed Clairmarais at 1335hrs for an Offensive Patrol near Lens. All machines RTB at 1455hrs.

00May18 The aircraft’s engine was upgraded to the 140hp (104kW) Clerget 9Bf standard.

26May18 Six Camels departed Clairmarais at 0705hrs for an Offensive Patrol to Neuve Ěglise. The already marginal weather conditions quickly became extremely bad and the patrol was forced to split up and make their way back to Base. Three machines managed to find the Base and land but one crash landed at St Marie Cappelle. The last machine of the patrol, Lt G.F Pierce in D1896, managed to find Base but when turning for finals the aircraft stalled and spun into the ground. The machine was destroyed in the crash and Lt Pierce sustained multiple injuries and was rushed to 2nd Casualty Clearance Station in Ebblinghem. Unfortunately, Lt Pierce succumbed to his injuries and died in Hospital 28May18.

RFC pilot Lt George Franklin Pierce (32) of Toronto, Canada was buried in the Ebblinghem Military Cemetery, midway between St Omer and Hazebrouck in Nord Pas-De-Calais France. He is commemorated in the First Canadian World War Book of Remembrance held in Ottawa, Canada.

27May18 Wreckage recovered to 1ASD.

29May18 Aircraft assessed as Not Worthy of Repair. SOC and converted to components.

D1909

00Apr18 Built as D1909 the 134th of 200 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range D1776 to D1975 under licence by Ruston, Proctor & Co. Ltd in their UK factory at Lincoln, Lincolnshire UK. Built to Contract AS1809 dated 26 November 1917. Fitted with a 130hp (97kW) Clérget 9B nine-cylinder air-cooled rotary engine Serial No.R2407LS.

00Apr18 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) for acceptance checks by No.4 Aircraft Acceptance Park (4AAP) at Lincoln, Lincolnshire.

15Apr18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France.

27Apr18 Despatched by air to No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot (1ASD) at Marquise airfield in Nord Pas-de-Calais, France.

01May18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Rely airfield, 20km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France.

00May18 Allocated to No.4 (F) Sqn Australian Flying Corps (AFC) at Clairmarais North Aerodrome, 6km NE of St Omer, Pas-de-Calais.

05May18 Lt A. Finnie departed 1ASD at 1635hrs for the 15 min ferry to Clairmarais North Aerodrome.

07May18 1st Combat Mission. Lt G. Nowland departed Clairmarais at 1325hrs with 14 other Camels for a Squadron Offensive Patrol between Ypres and Bailleul. All machines RTB safely between 1500 and 1520hrs.

00May18 The aircraft’s engine was upgraded to the 140hp (104kW) Clerget 9Bf standard

20May18 Lt G Nowland departed Clairmarais at 0700hrs with eight other Camels under the command of Lt A.H Cobby for an Offensive Patrol between Neuve Eglise and Armentières. Lt Nowland engaged a LGV near Foret Nieppe and lost site or it spiralling down through low clouds. However, a British AA Battery witnessed the engagement and confirmed the LVG crashed in flames.

22May18 Lt G Nowland departed Clairmarais at 1025hrs with nine other Camels under the command of G.F Malley for an Offensive Patrol between Ploegsteert and Comines, Belgium. At 1130hrs Lt Nowland dived on an enemy Balloon near Neuf Berquin but collided with Lt Finnie in D1924, who was diving on the same Balloon from a different angle. The machines collided and locked together before plunging to earth, both machines and pilots were listed as MIA. This classification was later upgraded to KIA when German records were searched after the Armistice.

AFC pilot Lieutenant George Nowland (26) single of Fitzroy, Melbourne VIC was buried by the Germans near where his aircraft had crashed. He was later exhumed and reburied in an Imperial War grave in Plot II, Row F, Grave No. 18 of the Pont-du-Hem Military Cemetery, La Gorgue, 3km south of Estaires, Pas-De-Calais France. He is also remembered at Location 188 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra

pont du hem la gorgue france

Pont de Hem, La Gorgue France

D1924

00Apr18 Built as D1924 the 149th of 200 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range D1776 to D1975 under licence by Ruston, Proctor & Co. Ltd in their UK factory at Lincoln, Lincolnshire UK. Built to Contract AS1809 dated 26 November 1917. Fitted with a 130hp (97kW) Clérget 9B nine-cylinder air-cooled rotary engine Serial No.R1761LS.

00Apr18 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) for acceptance checks by No.4 Aircraft Acceptance Park (4AAP) at Lincoln, Lincolnshire.

28Apr18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France.

05May18 Despatched by air to No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot (1ASD) at Marquise airfield in Nord Pas-de-Calais, France.

00May18 Allocated to No.4 (F) Sqn Australian Flying Corps (AFC) at Clairmarais North Aerodrome, 6km NE of St Omer, Pas-de-Calais.

12May18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Rely airfield, 20km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France.

12May18 Lt G. Nowland departed 1ASD at 1645hrs accompanied by Lt J.H Weingarth in Camel D1920 for the 15 min ferry flight to Clairmarais North Aerodrome. Aircraft TOC and issued to B Flight, assigned to Lt A. Finnie.

14May18 1st Combat Mission. Lt A. Finnie departed with nine other Camels in two flights of five under the command of CPT N.L Petchler and CPT G.F Malley for a combined Bombing & Offensive Patrol between Ypres and Kemmel Hill.

00May18 The aircraft’s engine was upgraded to the 140hp (104kW) Clerget 9Bf standard.

22May18 Lt A. Finnie departed Clairmarais at 1025hrs with nine other Camels under the command of G.F Malley for an Offensive Patrol between Ploegsteert and Comines, Belgium. At 1130hrs Lt Finnie dived on an enemy Balloon near Neuf Berquin but collided with Lt Nowland in D1909, who was diving on the same Balloon from a different angle. The machines collided and locked together before plunging to earth, both machines and pilots were listed as MIA. This classification was later upgraded to KIA when German records were searched after the Armistice when it was learned that both pilots had been buried by the Germans where they fell. In 1921 Lt Finnie’s father was notified that his son was exhumed and reburied in an Imperial War grave at Pont-du-Hem Military Cemetery in La Gorgue, France.

AFC pilot Lieutenant Alexander Finnie (25) single of Botany, Sydney NSW was buried by the Germans near where his aircraft had crashed. He was later exhumed and reburied in an Imperial War grave in Plot II, Row F, Grave No. 19 of the Pont-du-Hem Military Cemetery, La Gorgue, 3km south of Estaires, Pas-De-Calais France. He is also remembered at Location 188 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra

D1927

00Apr18 Built as D1927 the 152nd of 200 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range D1776 to D1975 under licence by Ruston, Proctor & Co. Ltd in their UK factory at Lincoln, Lincolnshire UK. Built to Contract AS1809 dated 26 November 1917. Fitted with a 130hp (97kW) Clérget 9B nine-cylinder air-cooled rotary engine Serial No.R2418WD34742.

This machine was a Gift Aircraft named ‘Molapo’. Presented by the Paramount Chief of the Basuto Nation

00Apr18 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) for acceptance checks by No.4 Aircraft Acceptance Park (4AAP) at Lincoln, Lincolnshire.

20Apr18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France.

27Apr18 Despatched by air to No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot (1ASD) at Marquise airfield in Nord Pas-de-Calais, France.

00May18 Allocated to No.4 (F) Sqn Australian Flying Corps (AFC) at Clairmarais North Aerodrome, 6km NE of St Omer, Pas-de-Calais.

14May18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Rely airfield, 20km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France.

15May18 MAJ W.A McClaughry MC departed 1ASD accompanied by Lt S.C Scobie in Camel D1959 at 1750hrs for the 15min ferry flight to Clairmarais North Aerodrome. Aircraft TOC and issued to B Flight, assigned to 2nd Lt R.G Smallwood.

17May18 1st Combat Mission. 2nd Lt R.G Smallwood departed Clairmarais at 0955hrs with 14 other Camels in flights of seven and eight aircraft under the command of CPT N.L Petchler and CPT G.F Malley for a combined Bombing & Offensive Patrol between Kemmel Hill and Merville. RTB Safely at 1135hrs.

00May18 The aircraft’s engine was upgraded to the 140hp (104kW) Clerget 9Bf standard.

29May18 Lt R.G Smallwood departed Clairmarais at 0530hrs with 12 other Camels in two flights under the command of CPT A.H Cobby and Lt H.G Watson. Atrocious weather conditions caused the patrol to abort the mission at 0540hrs and RTB. When landing back at Base in pouring rain the machine crash landed short of the runway. The machine suffered moderate damage to the lower wings, undercarriage and fwd fuselage and was repaired at the Unit. Lt Smallwood sustained several minor injuries and shock.

30Jun18 24 Camels departed Clairmarais at various times to move to the Squadron’s new operating base at Reclinghem airfield, 23km SW of Clairmarais. The following eight A Flight Camels departed at 1135hrs and arrived Reclinghem at 1200hrs:

D1929 CPT A.H Cobby D1895 Lt E.R King D8136 2nd Lt A.H Lockley

D1931 Lt R.F McRae D6506 LT S.C Scobie C8226 Lt W.A Armstrong

D1927 Lt R.T Edols D1838 Lt N.C Trescowthick

11Jul18 Lt R.G Smallwood departed Reclinghem at 1315hrs with two other Camels for an Offensive Patrol near Estaires. Upon return to Base at 1440hrs the engine seized on landing causing the machine to pancake on the runway resulting in minor damage to the undercarriage, lower wings and fuselage. Lt Smallwood sustained minor injuries.

14Jul18 Lt N.C Trescowthick departed Reclinghem at 0600hrs with CPT A.H Cobby [E1416] for a Special Mission. At 0715hrs Trescowthick attacked an AGO.C machine that was working the front line in conjunction with enemy Observation Balloons. After two passes the AGO, with green wings, grey fuselage and white tail, crashed between the Balloon Line and the village of Laventie.

16Jul18 Lt R.G Smallwood departed Reclinghem at 1545hrs with five other C Flight Camels for a Bombing mission against the Estaires Railway Station. After completing the mission and heading for home Lt Smallwood was forced to make a crash landing as a result of combat damage near Bomy, 3km east of Reclinghem. The machine suffered moderate damage to the undercarriage and lower fuselage.

27Jul18 Clérget 9Bf rotary engine Serial No.R2418WD34742 replaced by No.R2379.

30Jul18 Lt N.C Trescowthick departed Reclinghem at 1845hrs with five other C Flight Camels led by Lt E.R King as escorts for RAF DH.9s on a raid to Armentières. The patrol countered 19 German Scouts in the vicinity of Armentières as they ran in on their bomb run and just before bombing 10 Fokker Biplanes dived on the formation. Lt King immediately led his Camels up to intercept the Fokkers and in the next 10min of frenetic activity the Patrol three Fokker D.VII were shot down by King [E1416], Taplin [1407] and Trescowthick. No allied machines were lost but nearly all suffered damage from fighters or flak.

07Aug18 Lt N.C Trescowthick departed Reclinghem at 1120hrs with CPT A.H Cobby on a Special Mission to bomb troops on roads leading onto Armentières. When approaching their target at 1245hrs they spotted five Pfalz D.III Scouts flying in the same direction but 2000ft lower. The pair immediately dived down and opened fire on the tail end pair and watched as they both burst into flames and crashed to earth. The pair then chased the remaining three enemy machines and Trescowthick fired 150 rounds from 100ft into one and watched as the stbd wing folded back followed by the total disintegration.

All three downed Pfalz Scouts wore a distinctive paint scheme consisting of black wings and fuselage, white empennage and, emblazoned with a large white zig-zag on the fuselage on both sides.

10Aug18 Lt R.G Smallwood and Lt L.E Taplin [E1407] departed Reclinghem at 0955hrs on a Special Mission to attack billets in Laventie and near the Pont Riqueul. Lt Smallwood shot down a Balloon in flames near Laventie at 1027hrs.

13Aug18 The squadron was tasked to operate from Allonville aerodrome near Amiens to support the Allied advance on the Amiens Front in the Somme Sector. The following 11 Camels departed Reclinghem at 0530hrs and carried out an Offensive Patrol enroute to Allonville aerodrome where they all landed by 0615hrs:

D1895 Lt E.R King F1415 Lt N.C Trescowthick D1927 Lt R.G Smallwood

D8136 Lt D.C Carter E1482 Lt R.T.C Baker D9468 Lt H.W Ross

D9384 Lt J.W Baxter D6526 Lt V.G.M Sheppard D6690 Lt J.K Lancaster

F5948 Lt E.P.E McCleery D8159 Lt H.G Watson

The 11 Camels then flew three more Offensive Patrols at 0810, 1600 and 1830hrs and returned to Reclinghem after the last patrol.

15Aug18 Lt R.G Smallwood departed Reclinghem at 1645hrs with two other C Flight Camels for a Special Bombing mission against troops and transports at Bac-St-Maur. At 1710hrs the aircraft was struck in flight by an artillery shell but Lt Smallwood was able to crash land near Serny aerodrome, 8km east of Reclinghem. The aircraft was repaired at Serny and flown back to Reclinghem by Lt D.C Carter, an RAF Ferry Pilot.

Lt Roy George Smallwood was admitted to No2 Australian Casualty Clearance Station then taken by British Ambulance Train No.11 to No.20 General Hospital at Carriers sur Seine in Paris. From there he was transferred to the 3rd General Hospital in London where hr remained until January 1919.

30Aug18 Aircraft declared as unfit for further front line service and struck-off charge.

31Aug18 Lt N.C Trescowthick departed Reclinghem at 1040hrs for the 50min ferry flight to No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot at Marquise airfield in Nord Pas-de-Calais, France where the aircraft was handed back to the RAF.

01Sep18 Flown to England

03Sep18 SW Area HQ

Nothing further known.

D1961

00Apr18 Built as D1961 the 186th of 200 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range D1776 to D1975 under licence by Ruston, Proctor & Co. Ltd in their UK factory at Lincoln, Lincolnshire UK. Built to Contract AS1809 dated 26 November 1917. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW) Clérget 9Bf nine-cylinder air-cooled rotary engine Serial No.R2449.

26Apr18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France.

08May18 Despatched in cases from Ruston, Proctor & Co to No.1 Aeroplane Servicing Depot (1ASD) at Marquise airfield, Pas-de-Calais France for assembly and testing.

00May18 Allocated to No.4 (F) Sqn Australian Flying Corps (AFC) at Clairmarais North Aerodrome, 6km NE of St Omer, Pas-de-Calais.

30May18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Rely airfield, 20km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France.

03Jun18 Lt W.S Martin dep 1ASD at 1100hrs for the 20min ferry flight to Clairmarais North Aerodrome. Martin had to land at Contville airfield with a fuel feed problem. The problem was quickly rectified and the ferry flight resumed, with the machine arriving at 1520hrs.

04Jun18 The aircraft was TOC and issued to C Flight as the personal mount for the C Flight Commander CPT E.J McClaughry.

12Jun18 1st Combat Mission. Two flights of five Camels led by CPT E.J McClaughry and CPT A.H Cobby departed Clairmarais at 1100hrs for and Offensive Patrol in the Merville-Estaires-Bailleul area. CPT McClaughry shot down a Balloon at 1145hrs near Estaires and at 1200hrs shot down a green & grey camouflaged Pfalz between Bailleul and Estaires.

18Jun18 Two flights of nine Camels led by CPT E.J McClaughry and Lt H.G Watson departed Clairmarais at 0915hrs for and Offensive Patrol in the Merville-Estaires-Bailleul area. CPT McClaughry attacked a Fokker Dr1 Triplane at 1040hrs whose wings folded up and the remains crashed between Laventie and Neuve Chapelle.

27Jun18 CPT E.J McClaughry and Lt G.S Jones-Evans [B7180] departed Clairmarais at 1600hrs on a Special Mission to intercept a reported enemy observer aircraft working the line near Merville. The pair located the machine at 1620hrs SE of Merville at 4,500ft. McClaughry closed and fired 50 rounds from 50ft causing the LVG.C to spin out of control and just west of Sally-sur-la-Lys. McClaughry was then attacked by three Pfalz Scouts and sustained numerous bullet holes in his aircraft before successfully disengaging and returning to Base.

28Jun18 CPT E.J McClaughry departed Clairmarais on a solo Special Mission at 1540hrs and at 1612hrs shot down a Fokker D.VIII near Merville.

30Jun18 24 Camels departed Clairmarais at various times to move to the Squadron’s new operating base at Reclinghem airfield, 23km SW of Clairmarais. The following eight C Flight Camels departed at 1150hrs and arrived Reclinghem aerodrome at 1205hrs:

D1961 CPT E.J McClaughry D1957 Lt V.G.M Sheppard D6526 2nd Lt R.H Youdale

B7180 2nd Lt R.T.C Baker D9452 Lt E.V Culverwell D6690 Lt E.C Crosse

C8300 Lt H.G Watson D1901 Lt R.C Nelson.

01Jul18 CPT E.J McClaughry departed Reclinghem at 1545hrs leading 10 other Camels for an Offensive Patrol in the Estaires-Merville area. At 1635hrs three Pfalz Scouts dived to attack McClaughry but two of the Scouts collided and one crashed to earth. The third Pfalz fired on McClaughry who quickly turned inside his opponent and forced it dive away behind German lines. McClaughry then attacked the other Pfalz that survived the mid-air collision and shot it down in flames near Neuve Chapelle. McClaughry’s machine was hit several times by the Pfalz Scouts and sustained damage to the fuselage, wings and empennage.

00Jul18 Clérget 9Bf rotary engine Serial No.R2449 replaced by Serial No.R1539.

11Jul18 CPT E.J McClaughry and Lt G.S Jones-Evans departed Reclinghem at 0335hrs for a Special Mission to Estaires. At 0415hrs McClaughry shot down a green and red camouflaged Rumpler C 1km SE of Estaires and at 0420hrs shot down a black and white painted Pfalz D.III Scout north of Estaires.

13Jul18 CPT E.J McClaughry and CPT G.F Malley departed Reclinghem at 2030hrs for a Special Mission to the Berquin-Estaires Road. At 2115hrs CPT McClaughry shot down an Albatros C near Courtefroi Farm, wets of Merville.

16Jul18 CPT E.J McClaughry and Lt G.S Jones-Evans departed Reclinghem at 0330hrs for a Special Mission to Estaires. At 0420hrs McClaughry shot down a balloon near Bac-St-Maur. From 0425 to 0440hrs McClaughry was locked in combat with a red Fokker Triplane east of Estaires but neither opponent could get the upper hand.

19Jul18 CPT E.J McClaughry and Lt G.S Jones-Evans departed Reclinghem at 0330hrs for a Special Mission to Estaires. At 0405hrs he shot down a black and white painted Pfalz D.III Scout west of Estaires.

22Jul18 CPT E.J McClaughry, Lt R.H Youdale [D6526] and Lt J.C Wilkinson [D6690] departed Reclinghem at 0500hrs for a Special Mission to Estaires. McClaughry was attacking a balloon when a grey painted Fokker D.VII Biplane attacked him from behind, McClaughry quickly did a climbing turn and fired a 100 rounds into the cockpit area from a side-on position. The Fokker crashed near Sailly, 3km east of Estaires.

25Jul18 CPT E.J McClaughry departed Reclinghem at 2010hrs leading a Flight of six Camels foe an Offensive Patrol between Merville and Bailleul. At 2045hrs McClaughry saw a red and green camouflaged Rumpler working over Vielle Chapelle at 4000ft. He broke from the formation with Lt Jones-Evans [D1991] and dived onto the Rumpler firing a 50 round burst from 100 yards. The Rumpler dived to ground level and fled east buy McClaughry followed him down firing a further 200 rounds in controlled short burst before the Rumpler crashed into trees near Pont Riquen.

28Jul18 CPT E.J McClaughry and Lt G.S Jones-Evans departed Reclinghem at 0330hrs for a Special Mission to Estaires. At 0420hrs he shot down a balloon SE of La Gorgue.

CPT E.J McClaughry departed Reclinghem at 0625hrs for a Special Mission to Estaires. At 0715hrs he spotted a grey painted LVG about 4000ft below him heading for Armentières. He immediately dropped down and attacked the enemy machine and fired 70 rounds into the cockpit area from a distance of only 10m. The LVG immediately did a half roll and dived vertically into the ground near Erquinghem.

31Jul18 CPT E.J McClaughry departed Reclinghem at 0815hrs leading a Flight of five Camels for an Offensive Patrol between Merville and Laventie. At 0920hrs he spotted a red and green camouflaged LVG C about 500ft below him heading for the front lines. He immediately dropped down and attacked the enemy machine and fired 100 rounds into the centre section from a distance of only 10m. The LVG immediately nosed over and dived vertically into the ground SW of Wavrin, 6km south of Armentières.

CPT E.J McClaughry departed Reclinghem at 2000hrs on a solo Special Mission near Estaires. At 2035hrs he was flying at 5000ft over Estaires when three Fokker Triplanes dived on him. He immediately climbed and turned into his attackers causing the first Fokker to overshoot. He then found himself head-to-head with the second Fokker and fired about 70 rounds into it from point blank range which then heeled over and crashed just east of Estaires. The third Fokker by this time had lined up on McClaughry and raked his machine wounding McClaughry in the foot and leg. He then broke off the engagement and retuned to Reclinghem where he was admitted to No.1 Australian Casualty Clearance Station.

12Aug18 The squadron was tasked to operate from Allonville aerodrome near Amiens to support the Allied advance on the Amiens Front in the Somme Sector. The following 12 Camels departed Reclinghem at 0530hrs and carried out an Offensive Patrol enroute to Allonville aerodrome where they all landed by 0620hrs:

E1416 CPT A.H Cobby D9432 Lt T.R Edols B778 2nd Lt M.H Eddie

D1895 Lt E.R King D9426 Lt J.H Weingarth D9428 2nd Lt A.E James

F1403 Lt M.T.G Cottam E1505 Lt J.W Wright E1557 Lt A.T Heller

D1961 Lt E.P.E McCleery D1901 Lt G. Jones D1957 Lt V.G.M Sheppard

The 11 Camels then flew three more Offensive Patrols at 0930, 1630 and 1900hrs and returned to Reclinghem after the last patrol.

17Aug18 Lt E.P.E McCleery departed Reclinghem with 17 other Camels in two flights commanded by CPT A.H Cobby and CPT H.G Watson for a Bombing & Offensive Patrol to Lomme aerodrome, 1km SSE of Armentières. Lt McCLeery failed to return and was last seen shooting up a machine gun post at the aerodrome and then crashing at Ennetières, 2km south of Lomme. He was posted as MIA.

22Oct18 AIF Headquarters, London officially declared Lt McCleery as Killed in Action.

AFC pilot Lieutenant Edgar Percy Everard McCleery (21) single of Moss Vale, NSW was buried by the Germans in the German Cemetery near La Vallee 5km SSE of Armentières. On 9th July 1920 his remains were exhumed by the War Graves Commission and re-interred in Grave 15, Row I, Plot No.6 of the Ration Farm New Military Cemetery at Bois Grenier 2km south of Armentières. He is also remembered at Location 188 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.

ration farm la chapelle d'armentieres

Ration Farm Military Cemetery, La Chapelle d'Armentieres, France

D6520

00Feb18 Built as D6520 the 120th of 300 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range D6401 to D6700 under licence by Boulton & Paul Ltd in their facility at Norwich, Norfolk. Built to Contract AS7737 dated 09 January 1918. Fitted with a 130hp (97kW) Clérget 9B nine-cylinder air-cooled rotary engine Serial No.2294LS.

00Mar18 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) for acceptance checks by No.3 Aircraft Acceptance Park (3AAP) at Norwich, Norfolk.

28Mar18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France.

22Apr18 Despatched by air to the Reception Park of No.1 Aeroplane Servicing Depot (1ASD) at Marquise airfield, Pas-de-Calais France.

22Apr18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Rely airfield, 20km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France

00Apr18 Allocated to No.4 (F) Sqn Australian Flying Corps (AFC) at Bruay airfield Burgundy, 44km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France.

00Apr18 The aircraft’s engine was upgraded to the 140hp (104kW) Clerget 9Bf standard.

28Apr18 Lt A.D Pate departed 1ASD at 1630hrs for the 15min ferry flight to Bruay airfield.

29Apr18 All of 4 Sqn’s Camels were forced by the German Spring Offensive to move from Bruay to Clairmarais North Aerodrome 6km NE of St Omer, Pas-de-Calais where they joined 11th Wing, part of the British 2nd Army. The following 23 machines flew to Clairmarais at the times shown:

A Flight B Flight C Flight

1645-1715hrs 1705-1745hrs 1715-1745hrs

D1818 CPT W.B Tunbridge C8261 CPT G.F Malley B5646 CPT N.L Petchler

B2527 2nd Lt W.A Armstrong B2435 Lt G. Nowland B5644 2nd Lt T.G Oliver

B2535 2nd Lt L.R Sinclair B5625 2nd Lt A. Rintoul B7382 Lt F.W Webster

C8226 Lt G.H Pierce B5629 2nd Lt B.W Wright B7406 Lt H.G Watson

D1838 Lt N.C Trescowthick B5647 Lt A. Finnie B7480 Lt O.C Barry

D6506 Lt E.R King C8300 Lt J.H Weingarth B7494 Lt O. Lamplough

D6520 Lt A.D Pate C8231 Lt E.R Jeffree D1846 Lt V.G.M Sheppard

D1863 LT P.K Schafer D1884 Lt R.C Nelson

4 squdaron australian fying corps

Group portrait of the officers of No. 4 Squadron of the Australian Flying Corps, at Clairmarais, France. Back row, left to right: Lieutenant (Lt) C. R. Burton; Lt R. F. McRae RAF; Lt C. S. Scobie RAF; Lt J. S. M. Browne RAF; Lt E. V. Culverwell RAF; Lt G. S. Jones Evans RAF; Lt A. T. Heller; Lt O. B. Ramsay; Lt J. C. F. Wilkinson RAF. Middle row: Lt R. C. Nelson; Lt E. C. Crosse; Lt R. Sly; Lt A. H. Lockley; Lt R. Moore RAF; Lt R. G. Smallwood; Captain (Capt) R. King DFC; Lt H. F. Davison RAF; Lt W. A. Armstrong RAF; Lt Roy Harold Youdale. Front row (sitting): Lt V. G. M. Sheppard; Lt H. G. Watson DFC; Capt E. J. McCloughry OBE; Major W. A. McCloughry DSO MC DFC; Capt Arthur H. Cobby DSO DFC; Major F. I. Tanner RAF; Lt J. H. Weingarth. (Courtesy: Austalian War Memorial EO3543)

02May18 1si Combat Mission. Lt A.D Pate departed Clairmarais at 1330hrs with 11 other Camels in two flights of six led by CPT G.F Malley and CPT W.B Tunbridge for an Offensive Patrol to Bailleul. All aircraft RTB safely at 1420hrs.

11May18 10 Camels in two flights of five led by CPT N.L Petchler [C Flight] and CPT G.F Malley [B Flight] departed Clairmarais at 1835hrs as escorts for No.110 (Naval) Sqn RAF on a bombing mission against ammunition dumps at Armentières. After successfully bombing the dumps the formation was attacked by 30+ enemy scouts and a 20min wild melee ensued with combatants spread over a wide patch of sky. C Flight shot down a Pfalz and an Albatros for the loss of one Camel (B7480). At 1910hrs B Flight shot down a lone Albatros Scout over Armentières and CPT Malley shared the victory with Lt A. Finnie in B5647, and Lt P.K Schafer in C1863.

When the surviving nine Camels turned for home they were greeted by a thick ground fog that rose to 1000ft or more and extended as far as the eye could see. As the machines let down through the fog they were forced to disperse and return to Clairmarais individually. Unfortunately, none of the aircraft reached home. Lt R.G Smallwood (D6520) attempted to land near Wormhoudt but crash landed. The aircraft was moderately damaged but beyond Unit capability. Lt Smallwood sustained only minor injuries.

00May18 Clérget 9Bf rotary engine Serial No.R2294 replaced by Serial No.R2183

15May18 When returning from an Offensive Patrol Lt R.G Smallwood misjudged the landing and hit a bump beside the airstrip which caused severe damage to the machine.

17May18 Wreckage transported to 2ASD where it was assessed as Worthy of Repair.

30Jun18 Aircraft repaired and awaiting allocation. Now fitted with a 170hp (127kW) Bentley BR.1 rotary engine Serial No.V2183.

02Jul18 Allocated to No.201 (F) Sqn RAF.

05Jul18 Received for use by 201 Sqn. Ground collision with B7190 when taxying after landing. Moderate damage and pilot 2nd Lt W.A Hall sustained minor injuries.

24Jul18 2nf Lt N.O.M Foggo was landing is strong cross-winds when a gust flipped the aircraft, causing minor damage and no injuries.

09Aug18 RAF pilot Lt R Stone was on a Low Flying Mission missing when the aircraft was just jumped by a trio of Fokker D,VIIs North of Rosieres, 30km south east of Amiens; it was seen to go down in a spin and turned over at 200ft then crashed onto a road where it burst into flames. The pilot was killed and the machine destroyed.

D6526

00Feb18 Built as D6526 the 126th of 300 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range D6401 to D6700 under licence by Boulton & Paul Ltd in their facility at Norwich, Norfolk. Built to Contract AS7737 dated 09 January 1918. Fitted with a 130hp (97kW) Clérget 9B nine-cylinder air-cooled rotary engine Serial No.R2297LS.

00Mar18 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) for acceptance checks by No.3 Aircraft Acceptance Park (3AAP) at Norwich, Norfolk.

28Mar18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France.

22Apr18 Despatched by air to the Reception Park of No.1 Aeroplane Servicing Depot (1ASD) at Marquise airfield, Pas-de-Calais France.

23Apr18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Rely airfield, 20km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France

00May18 Allocated to No.4 (F) Sqn Australian Flying Corps (AFC) at Clairmarais North Aerodrome 6km NE of St Omer, Pas-de-Calais

12May18 Lt E.R Jeffree departed 1ASD at 1500hrs for the 15min ferry flight to Clairmarais North Aerodrome.

14May18 1st Combat Mission. T R.C Nelson departed Clairmarais at 1100hrs with five C Flight Camels for Offensive Patrol in front of the 2nd Army Front. All machines RTB safely at 1245hrs.

00May18 The aircraft’s engine was upgraded to the 140hp (104kW) Clerget 9Bf standard

30May18 Lt W.S Martin suffered a broken connecting rod in his Camel B5645 at 1525hrs and was forced to abort an Offensive Patrol. He quickly transferred to the Spare [D6526] and took off again at 1540hrs, to his dismay this machine also had engine problems and was forced to abort at 1550hrs.

30Jun18 24 Camels departed Clairmarais at various times to move to the Squadron’s new operating base at Reclinghem airfield, 23km SW of Clairmarais. The following eight C Flight Camels departed at 1150hrs and arrived Reclinghem aerodrome at 1205hrs:

D1961 CPT E.J McClaughry D1957 Lt V.G.M Sheppard D6526 2nd Lt R.H Youdale

B7180 2nd Lt R.T.C Baker D9452 Lt E.V Culverwell D6690 Lt E.C Crosse

C8300 Lt H.G Watson D1901 Lt R.C Nelson.

00Jul18 Clérget 9Bf rotary engine Serial No.R2297 replaced by Serial No.R2333.

22Jul18 2nd Lt R.H Youdale departed Reclinghem at 0455hrs with CPT E.J McClaughry [D1961] and Lt J.C Wilkinson [D6690] for Special Mission to bomb a fuel dump near Bac-St-Maur. After bombing the dump and heading home Lt Youdale shot down a balloon in flames north east of Estaires at 0545hrs.

13Aug18 The squadron was tasked to operate from Allonville aerodrome near Amiens to support the Allied advance on the Amiens Front in the Somme Sector. The following 11 Camels departed Reclinghem at 0530hrs and carried out an Offensive Patrol enroute to Allonville aerodrome where they all landed by 0615hrs:

D1895 Lt E.R King F1415 Lt N.C Trescowthick D1927 Lt R.G Smallwood

D8136 Lt D.C Carter E1482 Lt R.T.C Baker D9468 Lt H.W Ross

D9384 Lt J.W Baxter D6526 Lt V.G.M Sheppard D6690 Lt J.K Lancaster

F5948 Lt E.P.E McCleery D8159 Lt H.G Watson

The 11 Camels then flew three more Offensive Patrols at 0810, 1600 and 1830hrs and returned to Reclinghem after the last patrol.

22Aug18 2nd Lt S.P Keay departed Reclinghem at 1500hrs with Lt A.T Heller [E1557] and 2nd Lt E.A Cato [F5948] for a Bombing Mission to Laventie. At 1515hrs he collided with 2nd Lt E.A Cato over the village of Aire-sur-la-Lys, 6km NE of Reclinghem aerodrome. Lt Cato managed to crash land his machine and was able to walk away from the scene. Lt Keay also managed to crash land but was unfortunately seriously injured in the accident. He was immediately taken to the 39th Stationary Hospital at Aire-sur-la-Lys but succumbed to his injuries that night.

AFC Pilot 2nd Lieutenant Seawood Peter Keay (23) single, of Williamstown VIC was buried in Plot 4, Row B, Grave No.29 of the Aire Communal Cemetery, 11km NNW of Lillers, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.

air communal cemetery france

Aire Communal Cemetery, France

23Aug18 Aircraft wreckage taken to 1ASD for assessment.

25Aug18 Aircraft assessed as Not Worthy of Repair, SOC and converted to components.

D6584

00Feb18 Built as D6584 the 184th of 300 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range D6401 to D6700 under licence by Boulton & Paul Ltd in their facility at Norwich, Norfolk. Built to Contract AS7737 dated 09 January 1918. Fitted with a 130hp (97kW) Clérget 9B nine-cylinder air-cooled rotary engine Serial No.R1659.

00Mar18 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) for acceptance checks by No.3 Aircraft Acceptance Park (3AAP) at Norwich, Norfolk.

01Apr18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France.

12Apr18 Despatched by air to the Reception Park of No.1 Aeroplane Servicing Depot (1ASD) at Marquise airfield, Pas-de-Calais France.

13Apr18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Rely airfield, 20km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France

00Apr18 Allocated to No.4 (F) Sqn Australian Flying Corps (AFC) at Bruay airfield Burgundy, 44km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France.

00Apr18 The aircraft’s engine was upgraded to the 140hp (104kW) Clerget 9Bf standard

21Apr18 Lt L.A Storch departed 1ASD at 1125hrs for the 20min ferry flight to Bruay airfield.

22Apr18 Lt L.A Storch departed Bruay at 1020hrs for an acceptance test flight. At 1025hrs he entered a steep dive and when he pulled out too quickly the wings collapsed and the machine crashed to earth. Lt Storch was killed and the machine destroyed.

AFC pilot Lieutenant Louis Albert Storch (23) single of Hahndorf, SA was buried in Plot 6, Row E, Grave No.14 of the Lapugnoy British Military Cemetery, 5km SSE of Lillers, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.

D8136

00Apr18 Built as D8136 the 36th of 150 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range D8101 to D8250 under licence by Ruston, Proctor & Co. Ltd in their UK factory at Lincoln, Lincolnshire UK. Built to Contract AS34277 dated 11 January 1918. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW) Clérget 9Bf nine cylinder rotary engine Serial No.R2496LS

09May18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France.

16May18 Despatched by air to No.1 Aeroplane Servicing Depot (1ASD) at Marquise airfield, Pas-de-Calais France for assembly and testing.

21May18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Rely airfield, 20km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France. When landing at St Omer a wheel came off and the aircraft ended up on its nose. Moderate to serious damage but RAF ferry pilot Lt C.A Rogers was uninjured.

23May18 Received for repair by 1ASD Repair Park.

00May18 The aircraft’s engine was upgraded to the 140hp (104kW) Clerget 9Bf standard

21Jun18 Aircraft repaired and issued to 1ASD Issues Section where it awaited allocation. Now fitted with the 140hp (104kW) Clérget 9Bf nine cylinder rotary engine Serial No.R2253LS.

00Jun18 Allocated to No.4 (F) Sqn Australian Flying Corps (AFC) at Clairmarais North Aerodrome, 6km NE of St Omer, Pas-de-Calais.

28Jun18 Lt E.R King departed 1ASD at 1300hrs for the 20min ferry flight to Clairmarais North Aerodrome.

30Jun18 24 Camels departed Clairmarais at various times to move to the Squadron’s new operating base at Reclinghem airfield, 23km SW of Clairmarais. The following eight A Flight Camels departed at 1135hrs and arrived Reclinghem at 1200hrs:

D1929 CPT A.H Cobby D1895 Lt E.R King D8136 2nd Lt A.H Lockley

D1931 Lt R.F McRae D6506 LT S.C Scobie C8226 Lt W.A Armstrong

D1927 Lt R.T Edols D1838 Lt N.C Trescowthick

13Aug18 The squadron was tasked to operate from Allonville aerodrome near Amiens to support the Allied advance on the Amiens Front in the Somme Sector. The following 11 Camels departed Reclinghem at 0530hrs and carried out an Offensive Patrol enroute to Allonville aerodrome where they all landed by 0615hrs:

D1895 Lt E.R King F1415 Lt N.C Trescowthick D1927 Lt R.G Smallwood

D8136 Lt D.C Carter E1482 Lt R.T.C Baker D9468 Lt H.W Ross

D9384 Lt J.W Baxter D6526 Lt V.G.M Sheppard D6690 Lt J.K Lancaster

F5948 Lt E.P.E McCleery D8159 Lt H.G Watson

The 11 Camels then flew three more Offensive Patrols at 0810, 1600 and 1830hrs and returned to Reclinghem after the last patrol.

04Sep18 Lt A.H Lockley departed Reclinghem at 1215hrs with Lt O.B Ramsay [D9384] and 2nd Lt A.E James [E1482] on a Special Mission to Don. At 1235hrs the trio encountered a group of German Observation Balloons and immediately attacked before they could be winched down. James and Lockley destroyed two balloons in flames while Ramsay forced the observers to bale out of another before it then streamed to earth.

05Sep18 Five machines departed Reclinghem at 1700hrs under the command of Lt N.C Trescowthick [E1592] to rendezvous with two RAF Squadrons and carry out an Offensive Patrol in the Douai region. However, the rendezvous failed and Trescowthick pushed on toward Douai. At approximately 1800hrs the flight was at 14000ft over Brebieres when it was attacked from above by two formations of Fokker biplanes each consisting of 12 to 15 machines. Trescowthick gave the signal to dive away and promptly headed for the deck but the other four aircraft could not manage to break away. At this time a third larger German formation joined the fight and of the four Camels three were shot down and one later shot down by ground fire when crossing the German front lines on his way home. The following four aircraft failed to RTB and were declared MIA:

B778 2nd Lt M.H Eadie shot down and killed; D8136 Lt A.H Hockley shot down and killed; E7174 Lt D.C Carter shot down and killed; and E1407 Lt L.E Taplin shot down by ground fire and taken prisoner.

AFC Pilot Lieutenant Alexander Hamilton Lockley (21) single, of North Sydney NSW was buried by the Germans in the Henin Liétard Hospital German Military Cemetery, France. In 1920 he was exhumed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and reinterred in the Plot 15, Row M, Grave No.30 of the Cabaret Rouge British Cemetery, 9km North of Arras, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.

D9510

00May18 Built as D9510 the 130th of 150 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range D9381 to D9530 under licence by Boulton & Paul Ltd in their facility at Norwich, Norfolk. Built to Contract AS37028 dated 24 January 1918. Fitted with a 130hp (98kW) Clérget 9B nine cylinder rotary engine Serial No.R1075LS.

18May18 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) for acceptance checks by No.3 Aircraft Acceptance Park (3AAP) at Norwich, Norfolk.

27May18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France.

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

00Jul18 The aircraft’s engine was upgraded to the 140hp (104kW) Clerget 9Bf standard.

14Jun18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Rely airfield, 20km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France.

00Jun18 Allocated to No.4 (F) Sqn Australian Flying Corps (AFC) at Clairmarais North Aerodrome, 6km NE of St Omer, Pas-de-Calais.

18Jun18 Lt E.R King departed 1ASD at 1650hrs for the 20min ferry flight to Clairmarais North aerodrome.

19Jun18 1st Combat Mission. 2nd Lt A.H Lockley departed Clairmarais at 1935hrs with two other Camels for a Line Patrol between Bailleul and Estaires. RTB safely at 2120hrs.

27Jun18 Lt J.S. McDonald-Browne (RAF) departed Clairmarais solo at 0840hrs for a line patrol and failed to return. He was shot down by a Fokker D.VII near Bailleul flown by Vizefeldwebel Rausch from Jasta 40.

RFC pilot Lt John Sandfield McDonald Browne (19) single of Toronto, Canada was a Canadian national serving with the Royal Air Force and posted to 4 Sqn AFC at the time of his death. He has no known grave and is honoured on the Arras Flying Services Memorial in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, Pas De Calais, France; and, in the Canadian First World War Book of Remembrance held in Ottawa, Canada.

E1416

00May18 Built as E1416 the 16th of 200 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range E1401 to E1600 under licence by Ruston, Proctor & Co. Ltd in their UK factory at Lincoln, Lincolnshire UK. Built to Contract AS2165 dated 01 January 1918. Fitted with a 130hp (98kW) Clérget 9B nine cylinder rotary engine Serial No.R52588WD34912

05Jun18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France. To be delivered for RAF Acceptance Testing to No.4 Aircraft Acceptance Park (4AAP) at Lincoln, Lincolnshire.

00Jun18 Despatched by air from 4AAP to No.1 Aeroplane Servicing Depot (1ASD) at Marquise airfield, Pas-de-Calais France.

00Jun18 The aircraft’s engine was upgraded to the 140hp (104kW) Clerget 9Bf standard.

30Jun18 Aircraft tested and placed into ready use storage at 1ASD.

00Jul18 Allocated to No.4 (F) Sqn Australian Flying Corps (AFC) at Reclinghem aerodrome, 17km SW of St Omer, Pas-de-Calais.

02Jul18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Rely airfield, 20km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France.

07Jul18 Lt R.F McRae departed 1ASD at 0600hrs for the 10min ferry flight to Reclinghem aerodrome. Aircraft TOC and issued to A Flight, assigned to CPT A.H Cobby.

00Jul18 At some time in July the aircraft was Coded with a large white A painted on the fuselage aft of the roundel. The aircraft also wore a white vertical bar fwd of the roundel. The aircraft Serial was painted on the rear portion of the rudder overlaying the tricolour national emblem. Additionally, a large coloured figure of Charlie Chaplain was painted below the cockpit on either side.

08Jul18 1st Combat Mission. CPT A.H Cobby departed Reclinghem at 1425hrs on a Special Mission in very poor weather conditions. Aborted the mission and RTB at 1510hrs due to the weather.

09Jul18 CPT A.H Cobby departed Reclinghem at 0700hrs on a solo Special Mission reconnaissance. While flying at 3000ft over La Bassée he observed two AGO.C 2-seaters 500ft below and dived to attack. He selected a dark brown and grey camouflaged AGO.C and fired a one long burst from behind and above, he then dived under the enemy and fired two short bursts into the centre of the machine from below. The AGO.C then rolled over and crashed just NE of Gravelines, 9km north of Lens.

14Jul18 CPT A.H Cobby departed Reclinghem at 0600hrs with Lt N.C Trescowthick [D1927] on a Special Mission to Armentières. After completing their mission and on the homeward leg 0718hrs when Cobby spotted a Balloon between Estaires and La Bassée and shot it down in flames.

15Jul18 CPT A.H Cobby departed Reclinghem at 1640hrs with Lt H.G Watson [C8300] on a Special Mission to Armentières. While flying at 6000ft over La Bassée at 1715hrs the pair noticed five Pfalz D.III Scouts flying from the east towards Armentières so they ducked into nearby clouds and timed their re-emergence so they were behind and up-sun of the enemy. Each pilot then selected a Pfalz and attacked from the rear. Cobby selected a black and white camouflaged machine and fired 25 rounds into it from point blank range and the Pfalz burst into flames, rolled over and crashed just NE of Armentières.

After downing his first enemy he then picked another black and white camouflaged Pfalz and fired 200 rounds into it from a range of 50ft. The Pfalz then half rolled upwards and both wings collapsed followed by the fuselage disintegrating in mid-air. Cobby and Watson were then set upon by 10 Fokker triplanes and although suffering some damage they managed to disengage and RTB.

25Jul18 Lt E.R King departed Reclinghem at 0435hrs with Lt H.G Watson [D8159] on a Special Mission to Comines. At 0415hrs they attacked a yellow and green camouflaged LVG.C with Lt Watson making the first pass with no visible effect. Lt King then fired several short bursts into the enemy and watched as it crashed north of Armentières.

30Jul18 Lt E.R King departed Reclinghem at 1845hrs leading five other C Flight Camels as escorts for RAF DH.9s on a raid to Armentières. The patrol countered 19 German Scouts in the vicinity of Armentières as they ran in on their bomb run and just before bombing 10 Fokker Biplanes dived on the formation. Lt King immediately led his Camels up to intercept the Fokkers and in the next 10min of frenetic activity three Fokker D.VIIIs were shot down by King [E1416], Taplin [E1407] and Trescowthick [D1927]. No allied machines were lost but all six suffered damage from fighters and/or flak.

03Aug18 Lt E.R King departed Reclinghem at 0505hrs for a solo Special Mission. At 0530hrs King attacked a yellow and green camouflaged Hannover C and after firing a long burst from 200 yards watched the enemy crash just NE of Merville.

04Aug18 Lt E.R King departed Reclinghem at 0435hrs with Lt H.G Watson [D8159] on a Special Mission to Laventie. When NE of La Bassée they saw a dark green and grey camouflaged AGO.C flying toward Festubert. Lt Watson attacked first and killed the observer and Lt King attacked from head on and fired two short bursts before breaking away. Both pilots then took turns to attack the AGO until it crashed out of control just south of Laventie.

06Aug18 CPT A.H Cobby departed Reclinghem at 2020hrs leading three other Camels on a Special Mission to attack troop billets and transport at Lestrem. At 2050hrs he attacked a dark green and grey camouflaged LVG.C at 1000ft over Bac-St-Maur. After firing 150 rounds from a range of 30ft the enemy reared up and Cobby fired another 100 round burst and the LVG fell away and crashed SE of Bac-St-Maur.

07Aug18 CPT A.H Cobby departed Reclinghem at 1120hrs with Lt N.C Trescowthick [D1927] on a Special Mission to bomb targets of opportunity in the Armentières area. At 1245hrs Cobby noticed five Pfalz D.III Scouts below them at 2500ft heading north. Cobby and Trescowthick each selected a target and dived to attack. Cobby had selected a distinctive Pfalz with a white fuselage and black empennage and he fired 150 rounds into the machine from very close range and watched as it burst into flames and fell to earth near Lestrem.

CPT A.H Cobby departed Reclinghem at 1700hrs with Lt N.C Trescowthick [D1927] on a Bombing Mission against a train between Armentières and Perenchies. When passing over Lestrem at 5500ft Cobby noticed an AGO.C approximately 1000ft below him in the mists, he then moved forward of the enemy and dived to set up a frontal attack. Cobby opened fire at 200 yards and kept firing down to 20 yards and watched as the green and pink camouflaged Pfalz burst into flames and crashed just SE of Lestrem.

12Aug18 The squadron was tasked to operate from Allonville aerodrome near Amiens to support the Allied advance on the Amiens Front in the Somme Sector. The following 12 Camels departed Reclinghem at 0530hrs and carried out an Offensive Patrol enroute to Allonville aerodrome where they all landed by 0620hrs:

E1416 CPT A.H Cobby D9432 Lt T.R Edols B778 2nd Lt M.H Eddie

D1895 Lt E.R King D9426 Lt J.H Weingarth D9428 2nd Lt A.E James

F1403 Lt M.T.G Cottam E1505 Lt J.W Wright E1557 Lt A.T Heller

D1961 Lt E.P.E McCleery D1901 Lt G. Jones D1957 Lt V.G.M Sheppard

The 11 Camels then flew three more Offensive Patrols at 0930, 1630 and 1900hrs and returned to Reclinghem after the last patrol.

14Aug18 CPT A.H Cobby was forced to scrub a Special Mission with three other Camels when his engine failed and forced him to RTB at 1910hrs

00Aug18 Clérget 9Bf rotary engine Serial No.R52588WD34912 replaced by Serial No.R2403WD34727

30Aug18 Lt L.E Taplin burst a tyre on take-off causing minor damage.

04Sep18 CPT A.H Cobby and Lt E.R King departed Reclinghem at 0630hrs on a Special Mission to bomb a train near Wattignies. At 0710hrs the pair met a 2-seater Scout and while King dived to attack Cobby remained high to provide top cover. As soon as King opened fire on the Scout, three Fokker D.VII biplanes dived to attack King and Cobby moved to block their attack. In the following dog fight he fired 100 rounds from point blank range into the leaders grey and white camouflaged Fokker, which immediately nosed oved and went under the vertical spinning uncontrollably to crash between Wattignies and Erquinghem.

This victory proved to be Cobby’s 29th and last accredited aerial victory in France as he was posted to an Instructor role with the 1st Wing AFC Training Brigade in Gloucestershire, where he remained until War's end.

06Sep18 Lt E.R King departed Reclinghem at 0545hrs on a solo Special Mission to bomb the Don Railway Station. At 0630hrs he observed an enemy two-seater approaching head-on at the same height. King approached to 50ft before firing a 70 round burst into the DFW.C which then rolled over and dived vertically. King followed and fired another 50 round burst from 80ft and was then forced to pull out at 300ft as the enemy entered the ground mist west of Wavrin.

29Sep18 25 Camels departed Reclinghem at various times to move to the Squadron’s new operating base at Serny airfield, 22km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France. The following ten Camels departed Reclinghem at 0920hrs and conducted an Offensive Patrol to attack troop billets at Ennetières then proceeded to Serny where they all landed between 1110 and 1120hrs.

E7202 CPT E.R King E7241 Lt A.T Heller D7183 Lt H.W Ross

C3324 Lt G. Jones D9468 2nd Lt C.V Ryrie E1416 2nd Lt P.J Sims

E7107 2nd Lt A.J Palliser E7233 2nd Lt T.H Barkell E7180 2nd Lt H.A Wilkinson

F1939 2nd Lt J. Keane

01Oct18 2nd Lt P.J Sims departed Serny at 0600hrs with 2nd Lt T.H Barkell [E7233] for a Special Bombing Mission against the Oignes Railway Station. At 0635hrs Sims saw an Albatros D.VII below him heading to the east from Allied lines. He dived on the brightly painted Albatros with a yellow fuselage and silver wings and fired a short burst before he had a stoppage and withdrew. After clearing the stoppage he engaged the Albatros again and shot it down just east of Herlies. The action was witnessed by a British AA Battery.

03Oct18 2nd Lt P.J Sims departed Serny at 0700hrs with 2nd Lt K.J Richards [E1555] and Lt R.M Youdale [E1480] for a Special Bombing Mission against the Harbourdin Railway Station. At 0735hrs the patrol was flying over Fournes at 6000ft when Sims noticed a DFW.C at 1500ft west of him heading east. Sims dived and positioned himself behind and below before firing two bursts from close range. The DFW then proceeded to crash land in Harbourdin village where it broke apart.

07Oct18 The following seven aircraft departed Serny airfield at 0930hrs to return Camels to 1ASD Reception Park in preparation for the squadron’s re-equipment with Sopwith Snipe fighters.

D9384 2nd Lt C.V Ryrie D8159 Lt A.T Heller

E7233 2nd Lt A.J Palliser E1416 2nd Lt P.J Sims

E7160 2nd Lt G.F.A Johnson E1591 Lt R.H Youdale

C3324 CPT E.R King

18Oct18 Aircraft flown from 1ASD to England where it was ferried to the Central Flying School at RAF Upavon in Wiltshire. Aircraft was TOC and issued to B Squadron.

12Nov18 Cadet H.C Matthews when turning in to land which resulted in the aircraft stalling and spinning into the ground. The machine was destroyed and Cadet Matthews killed.

14Nov18 TR10/90398 Flight Cadet Harry Cecil Matthews (18) single of Chipping Ongar, Essex was buried in the Chipping Ongar Cemetery in Essex.

chipping ongar cemetery

Chipping Ongar Cemetery UK

E1591

00Jun18 Built as E1591 the 191st of 200 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range E1401 to E1600 under licence by Ruston, Proctor & Co. Ltd in their UK factory at Lincoln, Lincolnshire UK. Built to Contract AS2165 dated 01 January 1918. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW) Clérget 9Bf nine cylinder rotary engine Serial No.R526787WD35011

00Jul18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France. To be delivered for RAF Acceptance Testing to No.4 Aircraft Acceptance Park (4AAP) at Lincoln, Lincolnshire.

00Jul18 Despatched by air from 4AAP to No.1 Aeroplane Servicing Depot (1ASD) at Marquise airfield, Pas-de-Calais France.

00Aug18 Allocated to No.4 (F) Sqn Australian Flying Corps (AFC) at Reclinghem aerodrome, 17km SW of St Omer, Pas-de-Calais.

12Aug18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Rely airfield, 20km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France.

13Aug18 Lt A.T Heller departed 1ASD at 0835hrs for the 10min delivery flight to Reclinghem aerodrome.

14Aug18 1st Combat Mission. 2nd Lt S. Howard departed Reclinghem at 0850hrs with two other Camels on a Bombing Mission to attack troop billets at Lestrem. All RTB safely at 1055hs.

15Aug18 2nd Lt Stanford Howard and 2nd Lt E.A Cato [F5948] departed Reclinghem at 0445hrs for a Special Mission to bomb troops and vehicles near Estaires. While bombing and strafing their assigned targets Lt Howard was attacked at low altitude by an LVG C over Estaires. Whilst sparring with the LVG, Howard’s machine was severely hit by machine gun fire from the ground sustaining a serious gunshot wound to the left leg and shrapnel wounds to the lower left torso. Howard immediately disengaged and headed homeward but soon after a combination of blood loss and aircraft damage forced him to crash land near the village of Hermaville.

16Aug18 Lt Howard was initially treated in a Casualty Clearance Station then transferred to the Red Cross Hospital in Boulogne. He was then repatriated to the RFC Hospital in Eaton Square, London where he convalesced until 25th October when he was returned to flying status.

16Aug18 The aircraft was recovered to Reclinghem where it was assessed as repairable at Unit level.

21Sep18 2nd Lt G.F.A Johnson RTB from an Offensive Patrol at 1305hrs with a faulty ignition wiring harness.

29Sep18 25 Camels departed Reclinghem at various times to move to the Squadron’s new operating base at Serny airfield, 22km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France. The following two Camels departed Reclinghem at 0615hrs and arrived Serny aerodrome at 0630hrs:

E1542 Lt V.G.M Sheppard E1591 2nd Lt P.W Symonds

07Oct18 2nd Lt G.F.A Johnson RTB from an Offensive Patrol at 0545hrs with a faulty engine. The engine problem was quickly rectified and the machine prepared for its last flight with 4 Sqn.

The following seven aircraft departed Serny airfield at 0930hrs to return Camels to 1ASD Reception Park in preparation for the squadron’s re-equipment with Sopwith Snipe fighters.

D9384 2nd Lt C.V Ryrie D8159 Lt A.T Heller

E7233 2nd Lt A.J Palliser E1416 2nd Lt P.J Sims

E7160 2nd Lt G.F.A Johnson E1591 Lt R.H Youdale

C3324 CPT E.R King

17Oct18 Aircraft serviced and prepared for reissue. Clérget 9Bf rotary engine Serial No.R526787WD35011 replaced by Serial No.R41423WD30022.

22Oct18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Rely airfield, 20km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France.

01Nov18 Allocated to and received by No.65 (F) Sqn RAF at Poperinge airfield, Belgium.

21Jan19 RAF pilot 2nd Lt P.T Grant was performing ground strafing practice beside the runway when he dived too steeply on one pass, lost control at 250ft and crashed nose first onto the aerodrome. The aircraft was destroyed and Lt Grant killed.

91Feb19 Aircraft residue minus engine was burnt.

E7174

00Jul18 Built as E7174 the 38th of 200 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range E7137 to E7336 under licence by Ruston, Proctor & Co. Ltd in their UK factory at Lincoln, Lincolnshire UK. Built to Contract AS2165 dated 01 January 1918. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW) Clérget 9Bf nine cylinder rotary engine Serial No.R52710WD54786

00Aug18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France. To be delivered for RAF Acceptance Testing to No.4 Aircraft Acceptance Park (4AAP) at Lincoln, Lincolnshire.

20Aug18 Despatched by air from 4AAP to No.1 Aeroplane Servicing Depot (1ASD) at Marquise airfield, Pas-de-Calais France.

00Aug18 The aircraft’s engine was upgraded to the 140hp (104kW) Clerget 9Bf standard.

00Aug18 Allocated to No.4 (F) Sqn Australian Flying Corps (AFC) at Reclinghem aerodrome, 17km SW of St Omer, Pas-de-Calais.

28Aug18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Rely airfield, 20km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France.

29Aug18 2nd Lt M.H Eadie departed 1ASD at 1705hrs for the 15min ferry flight to Reclinghem aerodrome.

31Aug18 1st Combat Mission. Lt D.C Carter departed Reclinghem at 1800hrs with two other Camels for an Offensive Patrol near Fromelles. All RTB safely at 1950hrs.

05Sep18 Five machines departed Reclinghem at 1700hrs under the command of Lt N.C Trescowthick [E1592] to rendezvous with two RAF Squadrons and carry out an Offensive Patrol in the Douai region. However, the rendezvous failed and Trescowthick pushed on toward Douai. At approximately 1800hrs the flight was at 14000ft over Brebieres when it was attacked from above by two formations of Fokker biplanes from Jasta 26 and Jasta 27 each consisting of 12 to 15 machines. Trescowthick gave the signal to dive away and promptly headed for the deck but the other four aircraft could not manage to break away. At this time a third larger German formation joined the fight and of the four Camels three were shot down and one later shot down by ground fire when crossing the German front lines on his way home. The following four aircraft failed to RTB and were all four pilots declared to be MIA:

B778 2nd Lt M.H Eadie, D8136 Lt A.H Hockley, E7174 Lt D.C Carter, and, E1407 Lt L.E Taplin

04Feb19 An AFC Court of Enquiry held in Cologne Germany ruled that Lt D.C Carter was KIA as a result of enemy action on 05Sep18. German records show Carter was shot down by Unteroffizier Muller of Jasta 39.

AFC pilot Lieutenant Duncan Campbell Carter (24) single of Prahran, Melbourne VIC has no known grave. He is honoured on the Arras Flying Services Memorial in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, Nord Pas de Calais, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.

E7238

00Jul18 Built as E7238 the 102nd of 200 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range E7137 to E7336 under licence by Ruston, Proctor & Co. Ltd in their UK factory at Lincoln, Lincolnshire UK. Built to Contract 35A/223/C267 dated 03 April 1918. Fitted with a 130hp (98kW) Clérget 9B nine cylinder rotary engine Serial No.R1997WD30596.

00Augl18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France. To be delivered for RAF Acceptance Testing to No.4 Aircraft Acceptance Park (4AAP) at Lincoln, Lincolnshire.

00Sep18 Received by No.8AAP at RAF Lympne, Kent

15Sep18 Despatched by air from 8AAP to the Reception Park of No.1 Aeroplane Servicing Depot (1ASD) at St Omer airfield, Nord Pas-de-Calais France.

00Sep18 Allocated to No.4 (F) Sqn Australian Flying Corps (AFC) at Reclinghem aerodrome, 17km SW of St Omer, Pas-de-Calais.

29Sep18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Rely airfield, 20km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France.

30Sep18 Lt O.B Ramsay departed 1ASD at 1120hrs for delivery flight to Reclinghem aerodrome. After a brief stopover Lt Ramsay continued on to the new operating base at Serny airfield, 22km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France.

02Oct18 1st Combat Mission. Lt O.B Ramsay departed Serny at 0545hrs with 2nd Lt C.V Ryrie for a Special Mission to attack targets of opportunity in and around Don Railway station. After bombing a train at Don and hangars at Houplines aerodrome, the pair strafed barges in the canal near Don before RTB at 0730hrs.

04Oct18 Lt O.B Ramsay departed Reclinghem at 0540hrs with 2nd Lt E.A James [E1416] for a Special Mission to attack the Don Railway station and the Merekin Aerodrome. For this mission Ramsay carried a 40lb White Phosphorous bomb which was one of the earliest recorded use of this weapon. At 0605hrs the bomb was dropped on a large hangar full of aircraft on the Merekin Aerodrome. A large conflagration was observed and it was assumed several enemy aircraft would have been either destroyed or severely damaged.

08Oct18 2nd Lt C.W Stevens departed Reclinghem at 1040hrs for a local training flight and at 1100hrs crash landed at the aerodrome.

16Oct18 At 1520hrs Lt F.A Butterworth departed Reclinghem for a local training flight and 10min later Lt Butterworth lost control of the machine and it spun into the ground killing the pilot.

AFC pilot 2nd Lieutenant Frank Alexander Butterworth MM (23) single of Hay NSW was buried in Lot IV Section E Grave No.13 of the Aire Communal Cemetery 14km SSE of St Omer in Pas-de-Calais, France. He is also remembered at Location 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.

aire communal france

Air Communal Cemetery France

17Oct18 Aircraft wreckage transported to 1ASD.

19Oct18 Assessed as Not worthy of Repair. SOC and converted to components.

E7241

00Jul18 Built as E7241 the 105th of 200 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range E7137 to E7336 under licence by Ruston, Proctor & Co. Ltd in their UK factory at Lincoln, Lincolnshire UK. Built to Contract 35A/223/C267 dated 03 April 1918. Fitted with a 130hp (98kW) Clérget 9B nine cylinder rotary engine Serial No.R52732WD54831.

00Augl18 Allocated to the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France. To be delivered for RAF Acceptance Testing to No.4 Aircraft Acceptance Park (4AAP) at Lincoln, Lincolnshire.

00Aug18 Despatched by air from 4AAP to the Reception Park of No.1 Aeroplane Servicing Depot (1ASD) at St Omer airfield, Nord Pas-de-Calais France.

00Sep18 Allocated to No.4 (F) Sqn Australian Flying Corps (AFC) at Reclinghem aerodrome, 17km SW of St Omer, Pas-de-Calais.

15Sep18 Received by 1ASD Issues Section at Rely airfield, 20km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France.

24Sep18 Lt A.T Heller departed 1ASD at 1525hrs for the 10min delivery flight to Reclinghem aerodrome. Aircraft TOC and issued to B Flight, assigned to 2nd Lt A.T Teller. At some time in September the aircraft had a large white number 6 painted immediately behind the Roundel and a vertical white bar in front of the roundel.

27Sep18 1st Combat Mission. 2nd Tl A.T Heller departed Reclinghem at 1015hrs with five other Camels led by Lt H.W Ross for an Offensive Patrol to Armentières. No contact and all aircraft RTB safely at 1215hrs.

29Sep18 25 Camels departed Reclinghem at various times to move to the Squadron’s new operating base at Serny airfield, 22km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France. The following ten Camels departed Reclinghem at 0920hrs and conducted an Offensive Patrol to attack troop billets at Ennetières then proceeded to Serny where they all landed between 1110 and 1120hrs.

E7202 CPT E.R King E7241 Lt A.T Heller D7183 Lt H.W Ross

C3324 Lt G. Jones D9468 2nd Lt C.V Ryrie E1416 2nd Lt P.J Sims

E7107 2nd Lt A.J Palliser E7233 2nd Lt T.H Barkell E7180 2nd Lt H.A Wilkinson

F1939 2nd Lt J. Keane

09Oct18 2nd Lt V.H Thornton departed Reclinghem at 0500hrs with 2nd Lt H.N Kerr for a Special Mission to Foret Nieppe. At 0540hrs they saw an L.V.G at 2000ft over Merville and the enemy Observer opened fire as Kerr and Thornton dived and attacked from opposite sides. The pair eventually forced the LVG to land behind allied lines near Nieppe and Lt Kerr decided to land beside the downed aircraft and take the crew as prisoners, Unfortunately, Lt Kerr crashed on the rough ground and sustained several injuries.

The LVG was captured by British troops before the Germans could destroy their machine and it was delivered intact to 4 Squadron the following day where it was claimed as a War Prize by the Australian Government. The aircraft was an L.V.G CVI Serial 7243/18 crewed by Feldwebel Greyer and Leutnant Kohnke from Flieger Abteilung 13. The captured machine was flown to England by MAJ W.A McClaughry on 22Oct18.

10Oct18 Aircraft recovered back to Serny where it was repaired.

19Oct18 The following four aircraft departed Serny airfield at 0905hrs to return Camels to 1ASD Reception Park in preparation for the squadron’s re-equipment with Sopwith Snipe fighters.

E1557 Lt O. Lamplough E7241 CPT H.G Watson

E7202 2nd Lt H.A Wilkinson E7187 Lt E.J Goodson

00Oct18 Allocated to and received by No.70 (F) Sqn RAF at Fienvillers aerodrome.

24Jan19 Collided in mid-air with Camel F4001 during practice formation flight. Aircraft crashed and was totally destroyed. Pilot Lt A Webster was killed.

F1335

00Jun18 Built as F1335 the 35th of 250 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range F1301 to F1550 under licence by Boulton & Paul Ltd in their facility at Norwich, Norfolk. Built to Contract AS2164 dated 19 April 1918. Fitted with a 110hp (82kW) Le Rhône 9J nine cylinder rotary engine Serial No.50330WD48235.

00Jun18 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) for acceptance checks by No.3 Aircraft Acceptance Park (3AAP) at Norwich, Norfolk.

00Jun18 Allocated to No.5 (Australian) Training Squadron, 1st Wing AFC at RFC Station Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire UK.

14Jun18 F1335 and F1339 flown to Minchinhampton by Ferry Pilots from the RAF Central Despatch Pool

27Jul18 2nd Lt H.A Wilkinson was on his 1st Camel solo when he lost control at 500ft and spun into a thick grove of trees. The machine was impaled on one large tree and Wilkinson was able to climb out and descend to the ground. The machine was extensively damaged.

29Jul18 Aircraft (minus engine) was transported by road to the Aeroplane Repair Squadron [ARS] of 1st Wing AFC at RAF Leighterton, Gloucestershire.

00Aug18 The aircraft underwent extensive repairs which included: all wings replaced; new wheels, axles and shock absorbers; engine mounts; cockpit floor and sundry other woodwork.

17Sep18 Aircraft (minus engine) transported back to 5TS.

04Feb19 Cadet C.C Frederick departed Minchinhampton for a local training flight at 1020hrs. While practising spin recovery techniques he entered a spin and eye witnesses saw the machine then go into a vertical dive. When the pilot tried to pull out he overstressed the aircraft and the wing rigging wires snapped causing the upper wing to detach followed by the machine crashing near the aerodrome and killing the pilot instantly.

05Feb18 Wreckage transported to ARS Leighterton for assessment.

08Feb18 AFC Cadet No.2695 Charles Clarence Frederick (22) single of Spokane, Washington USA was buried in Grave No.19 in the Australian Sector of 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.

10Feb18 Aircraft assessed as Not Worthy of Repair. SOC and awaiting write-off approval.

F1948

00Sep18 Built as F1948 the 66th of 75 Sopwith Camel 1F.1 aircraft built in the Serial Range F1883 to F1957 under licence by Boulton & Paul Ltd in their facility at Norwich, Norfolk. Built to Contract 35A/588/C679 dated 29 April 1918. Fitted with the 140hp (104kW) Clérget 9Bf nine cylinder rotary engine Serial No.2229WD35101.

00Sep18 Taken on charge by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) for acceptance checks by No.3 Aircraft Acceptance Park (3AAP) at Norwich, Norfolk.

07Sep18 Allocated to No.8 (Australian) Training Squadron, 1st Wing AFC at RFC Station Leighterton, Gloucestershire UK.

30Sep18 Lt Patrick George Walsh was flying a local training flight practicing spin recovery techniques. At 1125hrs was seen to enter a left hand spin at 1,000ft and could not recover before the aircraft smashed into the ground at high speed. Lt Walsh was killed instantly and the aircraft destroyed.

F1948 after crashing at Leighterton 30Sep18

Australian pilot Lieutenant Patrick George Walsh (22) single of Cunnamulla OLD is buried in Grave No.5, Section 2 in the Consecrated Ground of the Leighterton Cemetery, Gloucestershire UK. He is also honoured at panel 187 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.

F5948

00Jul18 Rebuilt by No.1 Aeroplane Servicing Depot (1ASD) at Marquise airfield, Pas-de-Calais France primarily from the wreckage of Camel B7275 but parts from other Camels were also used. The 36th of 58 rebuilt Camels with Serials in the F5913 to F5970 range. Fitted with a 140hp (104kW) Clérget 9Bf nine-cylinder air-cooled rotary engine Serial No.1085WD29682.

01Aug18 Moved from 1ASD Repair Park to 1ASD Reception Park.

05Aug18 Moved from 1ASD Reception Park to 1ASD Issues Section at Rely airfield, 20km SE of St Omer airfield Nord Pas-de-Calais, France.

00Aug18 Allocated to No.4 (F) Sqn Australian Flying Corps (AFC) at Reclinghem aerodrome, 17km SW of St Omer,

11Aug18 Lt V.G.M Sheppard and Lt J.H Weingarth in Camel D9468 departed 1ASD at 1710hrs for the 10min delivery flight to Reclinghem aerodrome.

13Aug18 1st Combat mission. The squadron was tasked to operate from Allonville aerodrome near Amiens to support the Allied advance on the Amiens Front in the Somme Sector. The following 11 Camels departed Reclinghem at 0530hrs and carried out an Offensive Patrol enroute to Allonville aerodrome where they all landed by 0615hrs:

D1895 Lt E.R King F1415 Lt N.C Trescowthick D1927 Lt R.G Smallwood

D8136 Lt D.C Carter E1482 Lt R.T.C Baker D9468 Lt H.W Ross

D9384 Lt J.W Baxter D6526 Lt V.G.M Sheppard D6690 Lt J.K Lancaster

F5948 Lt E.P.E McCleery D8159 Lt H.G Watson

The 11 Camels then flew three more Offensive Patrols at 0810, 1600 and 1830hrs and returned to Reclinghem after the last patrol.

22Aug18 2nd Lt E.A Cato departed Reclinghem at 1500hrs with Lt A.T Heller [E1557] and 2nd Lt S.P Keay [D6526] for a Bombing Mission to Laventie. At 1515hrs 2nd Lt E.A Cato collided 2nd Lt S.P Keay with over the village of Aire-sur-la-Lys, 6km NE of Reclinghem aerodrome. Lt Cato managed to crash land his machine and was able to walk away from the scene. Lt Keay also managed to crash land but was unfortunately seriously injured in the accident. He was immediately taken to the 39th Stationary Hospital at Aire-sur-la-Lys but succumbed to his injuries that night.

Australian pilot Second Lieutenant Seawood Peter Keay (23) of West Brunswick, Melbourne VIC is buried in the Aire Communal Cemetery, seven miles NNW of Lillers in the Pas-de-Calais department of France. He is commemorated on Panel 187n the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.

23Aug18 A salvage crew recovered the wreckage to 1ASD where it was assessed as Worthy of Reconstruction.

31Aug18 Aircraft reconstructed and brought back on charge with the new Serial F6476.

PMcG 2020-04-15

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