24th August 1918 - Air Raid on Bertangles Aerodrome

On the evening of the 24th August 1918 a "concert party" was being held by 48 Squadron at the Bertangles Aerodrome. It was a bright moonlit night and the German Schlachtstaffel 16 launched a nocturnal air raid on the aerodrome by 5 German Bombers. One of the Gotha bombers scored a direct hit on the middle hanger lighting up the whole aerodrome making it an easy target. The Germans continued to bomb the aerodrome for a further 15 minutes destroying the 5 of the Squadron's hangers and causing a large explosion. During the raid most of the Squadron's Bristol Fighters (15 in total) and all of their heavy transport (plus all of the Squadron's records) were destroyed. More tragic to the squadron was the heavy loss of personal with 8 men being killed and a further 28 wounded.

Attending the concert party were George Vaughn and Alex Matthews of 84 squadron. When the attack started the personnel scattered in all direction. Vaughn took cover in a bomb crater, followed by several other people who piled on top of him. Matthews though was caught by a Gotha machine gun as it carried out a strafing run.

2/Lt Frank Bacon Palmer was awarded the Military Cross for his actions that night.

On the night of August 24, 1918, this officer performed very gallant and meritorious service. In an attack on one of our aerodromes by hostile aircraft a hangar full of machines was set on fire, illuminating the whole camp, making the aerodrome an easy mark for the raiders, who continued dropping bombs for 15 minutes. Great confusion ensued, and 20 officers and men were wounded. Lieutenant Palmer was blown over by the explosion of a bomb, and although badly shaken, he exhibited coolness and courage of a high order, and by his promptitude succeeded in collecting the wounded, placing them in comparative safety, and also managed to remove the machines and transport from the burning hangars and shelters, notwithstanding the continual dropping of the enemy's bombs in the area.

The following day Squadrons 27, 32, 43, 49, 62, 98 and 107 retaliated by taking part in operations targeting German Bomber units based at airfields at Etreux and Mont d'Origny.

The air raid on Bertangles caused the heaviest loss suffered in these circumstances by the British air services throughout the entire war. 48 squadron were transferred to the 11th Wing, 2nd Brigade at Boisdenghem, on the Second Army Front. The unit was back flying over the front two days later.

Killed
2Lt A. Urinowsky
Lt J.B. Jameson
Lt Alex Matthews (84th Squadron)

Wounded
Lt H. Hood
Lt E. Vickers
Lt T. Beck
Lt F.D. Kilby
2Lt J.N. Kier
Capt Charles Alexander Steele (Hospitalised for rest of war)
Capt H.A. Oakes
Lt C.G. Imeretinsky
2Lt E.G. Weller
2Lt S.H. Whipple
2Lt D.T. Turnbull
Lt M.F.J.R. Mahony
2Lt H.Y. Lewis
Lt C.B. Bateman (84th Squadron)

Planes Destroyed
C886, C940, C4629, D7909, E2472, E2480, F5811.3, F6094, F6118, F6404

Arras Flying Services Memorial

On my family's holiday to Belgium we decided to take a diversion and visit the Cemetery at Arras in France to see the Flying Services Memorial there. It's a very moving monument with over a 1000 names of airmen who served with the Royal Flying Corp, Royal Naval Air Service and the combined Royal Air Force who were killed on the Western Front but have no known grave.

We had decided to visit the memorial to find the names of two men on the memorial, Lt Thomas Beck and 2Lt Lawrence Percy Perry of 48 Squadron.



Lt. Beck and his pilot Buckingham were reported missing in action on the 1st October 1918. They were both taken prisoner but Beck died from his wounds.



2/Lt Perry and his pilot 2/Lt McCulloch were reported Missing in Action on the 2nd September 1918 when they failed to return from a patrol. They were seen to go down behind enemy lines and while McCulloch was taken prisoner Perry was killed.

My wife was surprised by how heartbreaking the whole cemetery was with approximately 35000 names listed on the walls and a further 2651 graves. It was the amount of names all of whom would have had mother to mourn them that she found so emotional. Our little 2 year old boy energetically explored the whole place playing Buzz Lightyear, we didn't think the boys there would mind. We tried to explain the place to him but he didn't understand except as we left the cemetery he did turn and say "Goodbye Soldiers".

Lt Irvine Owen Gaze

Irvine Owen Gaze was born on the 5th July 1890. He was educated at Scotch College, West Australia.

Irvine was working in Melbourne when he went down to the port to see his cousin, the Reverend Arnold Spencer Smith, off who was serving as Chaplin/Photographer for the Ross Sea Party of Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. At the last minute one if the party withdrew and so because they were now one person short Irvine volunteered to join the Expedition as a General Hand. On the 15th December 1914 Irvine and the rest of the party set sail from Sydney aboard the Aurora and set sail for the Antarctic. Irvine was described by his companions as:

“a sporty Australian – eager to join the expedition and lead a ‘real life’. His enthusiasm and easy-going humour won him the job and helped keep spirits up on the trail.”

The expedition was split into two groups, the Weddell Sea Party, led by Shackleton, which would attempt to cross the Antarctic while the Ross Sea Party would lay supplies on the other side of the Continent for the other party’s arrival. There orders from Shackleton were

"Proceed to the Ross Sea, make a base at some convenient point in or near McMurdo Sound, land stores and equipment, and lay depots on the Great Ice Barrier, in the direction of the Beardmore Glacier for the use of the party that I expected to bring overland from the Weddell Sea coast"

The expedition failed when the Wendell Sea Party’s ship, Endurance, was crushed by pack ice before the crossing was even attempted. The Rose Sea Party’s support ship, Aurora slipped its mooring, drifting away stranding 10 men. 3 members of the party died including Irvine’s cousin Arnold.

Rescued members of Ross Sea Party and Shackleton. Irvine is standing in the middle at the back

On the return to Australia the men were updated on the news from Europe and felt compelled to do their bit and enlist. Irvine wanted to join the Royal Flying Corp and so Shackleton arranged for him passage on a ship to England. Irvine moved to London staying briefly with his Aunt, Mrs C Spencer Smith of 51 Palace St, Westminster, London before he joined the Royal Flying Corp as a cadet on the 29th August 1917 and began training to become a pilot. He eventually joined 48 Squadron.

On the 4th November 1918, just 7 days before the Armistice, Irvine was shot down and captured by the Germans.

When they interrogated him, they noticed the white ribbon on his uniform. And he said, "Oh, well, that's the Polar Medal. I've just come back from the Antarctic." And everyone was happy to have a drink with him and everything else, except Goering, who was apparently was a bit sulky about it. But anyway, they had a nice dinner and then, of course, he went to the prisoner-of-war camp.(Tony Gaze)

Hermann Goring became the Commander in Chief of the Luftwaffe during the Second World War.

Irvine left the RAF on the 26th August 1919. Between the two World Wars held an executive position with the Clifton Shoe Company at Clifton Hill Victoria.

During World War Two Irvine served as an instructor with the RAAF and became a Squadron Leader. His two sons Tony and Scott both enlisted in the RAF. Tony became a Spitfire Flying Ace who was decorated three times for galentry. Unfortunately Scott died in a flying accident.

After the war he returned to Australia and farmed sheep.

Irvine died in 1988.

Tony Gaze went on to be Australia's first Formula One racing Car taking part in 5 races.

Further Information

Culture Victoria - The Ross Sea Party
Talking Heads - Tony Gaze

Who Do You Think You Are

It was very bizarre few years ago to be watching TV and suddenly seeing my Grandfather. Julian Clary was featured on the BBC programme Who Do You Think You Are investigating his family history. His Grandfather Jack Clary was a Chief Mechanic for 48 Squadron.

Jack Clary

In a group photo of the Squadron shown Reginald is seen standing in the same row as Jack.

Manual: Magnetic Compass

Manual: Aerial Navigation

Belgian Medals Continued

One of my main aims in this blog is to try and find out why my Grandfather was awarded the his two Belgian medals, La Croix de Guerre and La Décoration Militaire.

I have now found the award of the medal in four different publications but none of them gave a reason for the award.

• London Gazette
• Edinburgh Gazette
• Daily Orders of the Belgian Army
• Honours page of Flight Magazine

An article in Flight magazine on the history of 48 Squadron says that only 2 Croix de Guerres were award to men of the Squadron. The other Croix de Guerre was awarded at the same time to the pilot Lt. Norman Hunt. Hunt was not awarded La Décoration Militaire but instead was awarded the Chevaliers de l'Ordre de Leopold II which is practically a knighthood in Belgium.

I've asked on the Great War Forum for suggestions on where to find the citations and general opinion is that there unlikely to be one. A likely scenario is that Belgian government made the decorations available and the British Military Authorities made the decision on who to give them to.

So Reginald and Hunt might have just been chosen to represent the Squadron in accepting these decorations, but why these two men.

Was it a random choice or was there something special about them that pushed them to the front?
Is it a coincidence that a pilot and an observer in a Squadron are both awarded La Croix de Guerre?
Were they flying together on a patrol when some extraordinary event occurred?

Manual: Topography

48 Squadron Rugby Team

48 Squadron Rugby Team (photo from Trevor Henshaw)

Major Keith Parks is in the center of the group with the gloves and walking stick.

Lt Brunton receiving the Cup for 48 Squadron Rugby Team

A quiet game of chess

Photos of some of the men from the squadron taking time out to play chess.

Malin & Blanc

Wood & Ward



Not sure who is in the last picture but it appears to be in the same room as where the chess games were being played.

48 Squadron

Thank you very much to Trevor Henshaw for sending me this fantastic photograph of 48 Squadron taken shortly after the war. Reginald can be found in the middle row just left of centre, he is man standing head and shoulders above everyone else in his row.

Looking back at his service record it says that Reginald was 5 foot 10 when he enlisted but in the picture he looks more like his final height as a man of 6 foot 2. It just brings back the fact that he was still such a young man when he served in the RAF and still going through a late growth spurt.

This photo must have been taken before the 18th February 1919 as Capt.L.Payne can be seen sitting in the middle of the photo next to Major Keith Parks. Payne was killed on this date. Capt Freddie Cunningham, the other side of Park, had a copy of this picture with Cologne writen on the back so suggests the photo was taken while the squadron were at Bickendorf. If this is the case then the photo must have been taken at some time between the 19th December 1918 and 18th February 1919.

Falling Out

There is a family story that during his first crash Reginald was thrown from the plane and only managed to survive by hanging on to his Lewis gun as he dangled outside the plane.

This was not actually an uncommon event since the observers didn't have safety harnesses to hold them in. There was an interesting post by Stephen on on the Aerodrome forum

Lt. John Pugh, a Bristol observer with 48 squadron in the summer of '18, told me that there were no seats or straps for the observers in his unit.

I was absolutely stunned and wrote back to him for a clarification.

He replied emphatically and in all bold letters that there were absolutely NO seats and NO straps of any kind in the rear cockpit of his Bristol F2b. He held on to the gun mount and braced himself against the sides of his cockpit for support.

Other units and other aircraft no doubt varied in their equipment but Pugh's reply seems to confirm that in at least some cases, observers were in a pretty difficult position during hard maneuvers.

In the crash that claimed the lives of 2Lt.J.B.Cowan Lt.J.N.Jones, the plane crashed near the town of Lichtervelde, Belgium. Cowan's body was recovered and buried in the town, but Jones body was not. I assume from this that Jones tragically fell from the plane before the final crash. Jones body must have been recovered later as he was buried in the New British Cemetery at Harelbeke.

My Uncle emailed me saying

"I was often told by dad it was a case of hold on tight when taking off and landing. As its says no seats, belts, or anything. What would H&S SAY NOW?"

48 Squadron's Movements

1916
15 Apr formed in Netheravon
Jun to Rendcombe

1917
8 Mar to Bellevue, France, assigned to 13th Wing, 3rd Brigade, Third Army
15 Sep to Leffringkoucke, assigned to 14th Wing, 4th Brigade
5 Dec to Liettres
22 Dec to Flez, assigned to 22nd Wing, 5th Brigade

1918
22 Mar to Champien, East of Roye
24 Mar to Bertangles, North of Amiens
26 Aug to Boisdinghem, assigned to 11th Wing, 2nd Brigade
30 Sep to St. Marie-Cappel
23 Oct to Reckem
17 Nov to Nivelles
19 Dec to Bickendorf

1919
26 May to India

Is Reginald in this Photo?

I spotted this photo on the Great War Forum of members of 48 Squadron on their way to India after the First World War. I would love to think that Reginald was one of the men in the photo. There is something about the man sitting in the centre that makes me think it could be him but I cannot be sure. Also the man behind the man sitting on the left reminds me of Irvine especially since in nearly every photo of him he has his arm around one of his mates.

Thanks to Trevor Henshaw posted the photo on the forum and then sent me a high res copy of the photo. Trevor went back and looked through the set of photos that he had of 48 Squadron and in the first picture he found Reginald.

Reginald, Peck + Doddy

Manual: Hints to Observers

New Romney 29/7/1918

Lecture by Lieutenant Brockman

Clothing
1: Helmet
A good plan is to cut off neck portion of helmet as when flying it generally prevents helmet from turning with head. Cover neck by silk scarf then wind woollen scarf round neck + leave it loose. Pull up over bottom part of face as far as nose then put on the flying coat.
Case face with Vaseline when flying as 20,000 ft.

2: Goggles
Combine with face mask if possible. “Triplex” glass is the best, tinted.
Anti-dim or ???asso used on glass prevents same from getting fogged for about 1½ hours. Afterwards use handkerchief.

3: Flying Coat
The Flying Coat is exchanged overseas for a Sidcot Flying Suit.

To keep Feet Warm
Wear golasses or overshoes over boots.
Silk socks should be worn next to skin + woollen socks over same.
If flying boots are too large wear extra pair or two of socks.

Hands
wear pair of mittens or silk gloves underneath gauntlets. The flaps on back of gauntlets should be cut off as they are likely to come unfastened + therefore get in the way.
A hot baked potato could be put in coat pocket + taken out when hands begin to numb.

Instruments
Watch, compass + altimeter.
Ingersol watch is about the best.
A small hanging shelf could be made for the above + have same fastened on + detach shelf from machine after flight.
The watch is carried in case the observer's seat is away from Pilot's + he is unable to see Pilot's watch.
Compass can be obtained at Flight Office.
Altimeter is not essential but it is always well to know at what height you are flying.
Binoculars may also be carried.

Equipment
About 6 pencils should be carried not copyink.
These should be kept in all available pockets.
Drawing Pins for maps + postcards so that you have a have a hard surface to write on.
Celluloid clock dial.
Perforated note book for writing messages to Pilot + message bags.
One or more elastic band.
First field dressing.

Lewis Gun Spare Parts
Get a piece of canvas and have receptacles made for bolt screen balance. Screw driver, toggle + 2 small pockets for C.G.S. + Feed Pa??e + Spring + Pinion Group.
Verey Lights
Be careful where you fire Verey lights as they are highly inflammable.

Co-operation between Pilot + Observer
Arrange with Pilot before flight the line or route to take.
Let Pilot know as soon as you see machine over enemy's' line.
Signs should be made up so that Observer + Pilot can communicate with each other.
No paper should be taken up with any official information on it as it may fall into enemy hands.

Maps
For Corps Observers: 1/40,000 Reconnaissance + 1/20,000 Trench + 1/10000 Trench Maps
For Army Observers: 1/40,000 Reconnaissance + 1/100,000 Rec. + 1/250,000 N.W. Europe Maps.
Maps should be carried in a certain position so that you can refer to them quickly.
Get a piece of canvas or wood + glue a 1/40,000 map on one side + 1/100,000 on the other.
Paint in lakes, trenches, roads, woods, batteries.

Gunnery Routine Overseas
Two guns are allotted to an Observer + he should take a personal interest in them.
Strip + examine gun carefully after cleaning.
Examine magazines after being brought from Armoury.
Be careful in muddy weather not to dirty magazines when stepping into machine.
Every Observer should get as much Dual Control practise as possible.

Hollands

Hollands was an observer in 48 Squadron.

Irvine / Jock

Irvine was a pilot in 48 Squadron. He is also referred to as Jock in some of the photos in the album.

UPDATE: Irvine is Sgt. Francis Knox Irvine from Aberdeen.

Longerich

Longerich is just outside Cologne and was visited by the squadron on their tour of enemy aerodromes after the war.

Hollands + Joney



Crucifix

Group Photo

Back Row: Jock, Joney, Raymond & Ambler
Front Row: Teed, Taff & Ward

Raymond

Raymond as an Aviator

Raymond as a Sailor

Billy Eade

Sgt. William A. Eade was a pilot in 48 Squadron.

Joney

Joney

Could this be observer Lt. T. L. Jones who is recorded flying with Capt Cunninghame and Lt. Cowan. The badge he is wearing indicates that he was an observer.

Blancy

Reginald's nickname in the Squadron was Blancy, of course after his surname White.

La Décoration Militaire de 2ème classe

Front

Back

La Décoration Militaire (Military Decoration) was originally instituted in 1841 with the 2nd Class version being awarded for gallantry, devotion to duty, or exceptional service.

Daily Orders of the Belgian Army

While trying to find why Reginald was awarded the two Belgium medals I wrote to the Belgium War Museum to ask if they had copies of his citations. Unfortunately they didn't but they did send me this reply:

Dear Sir,

In response of your E-mail, dated 17th December 2009, I am honoured to forward you an extract of the Daily Orders of the Belgian Army, dated 5th February 1919, announcing the award of “La Décoration Militaire de 2ème classe” and “La Croix de Guerre” to Mister Reginald WHITE.

I am however, unable to provide you with a copy of the Royal Decree awarding these honourable decorations. If these decorations were awarded with a citation, it certainly would have been mentioned in the Daily Orders of the Belgian Army.

After the war, a number of honourable decorations were put at the disposal of the foreign military authorities. It was however up to these military authorities to decide who was eligible for these decorations.

Yours faithfully,

Dirk Vanginderhuysen

Adjudant-chef
General Direction Human Resources
Personnel Division
Notarial Under Section
Honourable Decorations

La Croix De Guerre

Front

Back

La Croix de Guerre (Cross of War) medal is a Belgium military decoration which was instituted on the 25th October 1915 and awarded to foreign nations for acts of heroism carried out on Belgium soil.

Reginald was awarded the medal on the 5th February 1919 as mentioned in the Daily Orders of the Belgium Army. I an struggling to find the extact reason Reginald was awarded this medal. If these decorations were awarded with a citation, it certainly would have been mentioned in the Daily Orders of the Belgian Army. After the war, a number of honourable decorations were put at the disposal of the foreign military authorities. It was however up to these military authorities to decide who was eligible for these decorations.

Service Record

The service records for men who served in the RAF can be searched for and downloaded from The National Archives.

Reginald's Service Record

Reginald's service record gives the following information:

Official No. 110761
Christian Names. Reginald Leslie Gordon
Surname. White
Birth Date. 19.11.1899

Current Engagement in H.M. Forces - ARMY
Date Current engagement commenced - 11.12.17
Age at that date - 18 1/12
Duration of Period of Engagement - D.F.W.
Date of actual entry into R.F.A. - 11.12.17
Date of actual entry into R.A.F. - 1.4.18

Civilian Occupation - Solicitor's Clerk

Person to be informed of Casualties
Name - William White
Address - 7 West St, Buckingham, BUCKS
Relationship - Father

Description on Engagement in H.M. Forces
Height - 5 feet 10 inches
Chest - 29 inches

Transfer to R.A.F. reserve - 28.3.19 A3/15436

Movement & Promotions

Trade Section

Medals Section

Medal Index Card

The medal index cards were created by the Army Medal Office near the end of the First World War. The detail the service mans medal entitlement, rank and unit. The medal index cards can be searched and downloaded from the National Archives web site.

From Reginald's medal card we can see that he was a Observer in 48 Squadron of the RAF with the service number 110761. His date of entry into the war was the 18th August 1918.

I'm not sure what the writing in the Remarks box means.

This card to be ????? to ????? when ??? war card is received. KW/9/1917

The medal card doesn't tell us anything we didn't already know but if researching a soldier from the First World War the medal index card is the best starting point.

Retirement

Man who has married thousands of
couples is retiring tomorrow

A man who has married thousands of people retires tomorrow (Friday). He is the Registrar for the Aylesbury Registration District, Mr. Reginald White, of Tring Road, Aylesbury. Since 1954 Mr. White has been keeping careful record of all in the Aylesbury area who give birth, die or marry.
It was in 1930 that Wendover born Mr. White first came to work in Aylesbury. Previously for 10 years he had been Clark to the Guardians Officer at Buckingham.
In Aylesbury he worked as deputy county public assistance officer until being made Deputy Superintendent Registrar in 1949. After five years as deputy, Mr. White was made Superintendent Registrar.
During this period he also became secretary of the Bucks Old People's Welfare Committee,
At the age of 65 in 1965 he retired from these positions. But the very next day he was re-engaged as Superintendent Registrar on a part-time basis for the district which includes the Borough of Aylesbury and Aylesbury and Wing Rural Districts.

GROUND AND AIR
During the first world war Mr. White enlisted as an infantryman, but was soon transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. As an observer he served with the 48 Squadron. During his service on the Continent he was awarded the Belgian Medaile Militaire and the Croix de Guerre and palm.
After the first world war had ended Mr. White continued serving in the R.A.F. As an observer in the third Afghan war.
After his service career ended in 1919, Mr. White went to work at Buckingham where he was concerned with the administration of the Poor Law. In 1926 he joined the Special Constabulary, later becoming Chief Inspector for the Aylesbury Division during the second world war. Altogether he served for 25 years.

WORK FOR M.I.5
In the first two years of the war, in addition to his normal work and his commitments in the Special Constabulary, Mr. White took on another activity – this time for M.I.5
With his own wireless equipment converted he acted as a voluntary wireless interceptor engaged in trying to locate transmissions of any enemy agents who might be in the area.
“It's a varied and interesting life I've had,” says Mr. White who is married and has a son and daughter.
For 14 years from 1932 he was secretary to the Aylesbury branch of the British Legion, during which time the membership rose to over 1,000.
while living at Steeple Claydon in the late 1920's he formed a troop of Scouts, and a highlight of that time was when he played in band before Queen Mary when she visited Stowe School near Buckingham.
Now that he will have more free time Mr. White hopes to be able to devote more attention to his garden and to his other activities which include serving as a sidesman at Holy Trinity Church, Walton, and acting as secretary of the Parochial Church Council and secretary of the Churchman's Guild.
Mr. White's committee work will continue as a member of Bucks Old People's Welfare Committee and a member of Aylesbury Old People's Welfare Committee.

OBITUARY

Former Superintendent Registrar Mr. Reginald Leslie Gordon White, of 337, Tring Road, Aylesbury, died last week at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. The was 80.
Born and educated in Wendover, Mr. White was decorated for his war service and was a well known member of Holy Trinity Parish Church, Walton, Aylesbury.
During the first world war he was an observer gunner in the Royal Flying Corps.
After being shot down three time over Europe he was awarded the Belgium Honours of the Medal Militaine Avec Palme, and the Croix de Guerre.
After the war he returned to Aylesbury and worked in a solicitor's office in Buckingham. He was also Clerk to the Board of Guardians.
When the Poor Law administration was transferred to the County Council in 1930, Mr. White entered the new Public Assistance Department and was later appointed Deputy Assistance Officer.
In 1954 he became Superintendent Registrar and retained this position until his retirement in 1968.
He was also secretary of the Old People's Welfare Committee and as a result took a keen interest in the old people's homes in the county.
Mr. White married local girl Miss Margaret Davey, a fellow worker in the Public Assistance Department, in October 1939 as St. Mary's Parish Church, Aylesbury.
In his younger days Mr. White was interested in the Scout Movement and was for many years Scoutmaster of the Steeple Claydon Troop.
In later years he was secretary of the Aylesbury Branch of the Royal British Legion and finally vice-president up to the time of his death.
He was a Freemason and past master of the Ferdinand de Rothschild Lodge and Chapter, and more recently a founder member of the Probus Club of Aylesbury Vale.
Mr. White attended Holy Trinity Church, Walton where he was a Sidesman. He held various positions a the church such as secretary of the Sidesmen's Guild a member of the Parochial Church Council, and a Recorder of the Pledged Giving Scheme.
He was also very fond of gardening and a keen philatelist.
Mr. White leaves a widow, a daughter, and a son and three grandchildren.
The Rev. Peter Hancock conducted a funeral service at Holy Trinity Church on Friday, and this was followed by cremation at Amersham.
Funeral arrangements were by K. Y. Green, of Aylesbury.

Lt. Herbert Thomas

Herbert Thomas served in the Royal Air Forces and was a pilot in 48 Squadron.

3rd October 1918 - Was on a bombing run on Izegham led by Capt. Cunninghame and Lt. Brunton 12 Fokkers approached them from the south. During the combat Herbet Thomas claimed to see the plane piloted by Lt J.B. Cowan go down in flames.

9th October 1918 - During a patrol with observer 2Lt F.H.G. Coomer sent a Fokker down out of control at 1650 hours over Coutrai.

26th October 1918 - Herbert Thomas and observer 2Lt F.H.G. Coomer failed to return from a patrol and were last seen over Renaix at about 1330 hours. The patrol was led by Capt Phillips when they encountered 12 Fokkers, camouflaged in a dark green and black checkerboard on the planes with brown and white tails, at 1330 hours. It was during this encounter when Thomas' plane went down. Capt Philips claim one Fokker in this encounter.

Lt. Ludlow Norman Jones

Son of Ludlow Mainwaring Jones and Georgina Jones, of Moyroe Nanagh, Co. Tipperary. Ludlow intially served as a Lieutenant in the 11th South Wales Borders Regiment before transferring to the Royal Air Forces in 48 Squadron as an observer.

3rd October 1918 - Missing in Action with pilot Lt. J.B.Cowan in F2b E2523. They where last seen near Ingelmunster at 1750 hours. Squadron member 2Lt Herbert Thomas said he saw their plane go 'Down in Flames'.

Lt. Ludlow Jones was 21 years old and was buried at Harlebeke New British Cemetery.

2Lt. G Thorneton-Norris

George Thorneton-Norris was born in India where his Grandfather had moved to from Lanc. During the First World War he served in the Royal Flying Corps as pilot in 48 Squadron.

3rd October 1918 - While on a bombing run on Izegham led by Capt. Cunninghame and Lt. Brunton 12 Fokkers approached them from the south. Thorneton-Norris was flying with his observer Sgt R.L.G White in Bristol F2b serial E2534. The Enemy aircraft attacked them over Ingelmunster. Thorneton_Norris engaged a Fokker Biplane (white fuselage, black&white tail) and after White fired 50 rounds the Fokker burst into flames and went down. During this engagement Capt Cunninghame claimed 2 Fokkers but unfortunately the F2b piloted by 2Lt J.B.Cowan went down in flames and he and his observer Lt. L.N.Jones were reported Missing in Action.
Combat report #586 of 48 Squadron (PRO Air 1/1829/204/202/22)

25th October 1918 - Flying Bristol F2b serial E2534 with his observer Sgt R.L.G White they were forced to land at Deerlyck at 2.45pm due to anti-aircraft fire. Both OK.

George became a bit of an inventor, especially in the field of Aviation and many patents in his name can be found.

Electric medical appliance
Folding crib and the like
Instrument for indicating the operating time of vehicles and other devices
Electric foot massage appliance

George worked as an Aviation Salesman at Selfridges between the wars and also workd for Scholl in Clerkenwell inventing household items, such as the electric hot water bottle. George also built he own plane which he named Eileen after his wife.

He also had an article published in the magazine Popular Science Monthly just before the war.

Detecting Leaks in Inner Tubes
by Means of Smoke
WHILE in India recently I entered a motorcycle contest, which was of the town-to-town type. It was from Calcutta to Gya, a distance of 300 miles, over roads which were covered with small, sharp-pointed stones, old shoes, nails and other things such as are to be found where there is bullock traffic of the eastern type, all of which are liable to make small punctures. Not being able to procure water to test my tubes and locate minute leaks, I took a pocketful of cigarettes along with me and found the following method a wonderful time and temper-saver as well as the only means of finding such punctures.
The defective tube is taken out and the valve removed. Then two or three mouthfuls of smoke are puffed into the tube, after which it is inflated as much as possible. The smoke will be seen to ooze out of any punctured place. The spot can then be sandpapered and dressed while the smoke is oozing out and locating the place for the repair patch. After the patch is applied the valve is again taken out to let the remainder of the smoke escape and the tube is ready for use again.

An obituary for George was published in Flight and Aircraft Engineer Journal dated 29th February 1955

Well known to many customers of the aircraft division of the Lockheed Hydraulic Brake Co., where he was a sales engineer for ten years, Mr. George Thorton-Norris died suddenly on Thursday, February 14th., at the early age of 55. Mr. Thorton-Norris, who served as an R.F.C. pilot in the First World War, leaves a widow and an eight-year-old son.

Thankyou you George's grandson Andrew Thorton-Norris for much of the information on this page.

Third Anglo-Afghan War

After the war Reginald briefly returned to England but early in 1919 the Squadron left England to sail around the Cape of Good Hope and onto India. Their Bristol Fighters were dismantled and packed into creates for the journey. On arriving in Calcutta, India they boarded a train to take them across the country to the Afghanistan boarder, the crates containing the Fighters were loaded on as well. The train journey took a couple of weeks to complete. In June 1919 the squadron was based at Quetta, India (now Pakistan), for Army co-operation work on the North West Frontier with Afghanistan. While there the squadron was involved in the Third Anglo-Afghan War when King Amanullah of Afghanistan declared war on the British India and the Afghans seized a large tract of land near the historic Khyber Pass. 48 squadron was one of 5 RAF squadrons that were ordered into action against the Afghan hill-tribes in the mountainous region of the Khyber Pass. A make shift aerodrome was laid out near Dakka village as a base for the squadrons. The Bristol fighters were used in bombing missions on Jalalabad. The bombing campaign by the RAF was one of the main factors that drove King Amanullah to call for a truce with the British.

Make shift Aerodrome used by the Squadron in Dakka, 1919.

BE2E Biplanes at the Dakka Aerodrome, 1919.
Few Snapshots from our Aviation History

During tour in India Reginald contracted Malaria and also got frost bite on his cheeks flying over the Kyber Pass. After a few months in India the RAF was being reorganised and Reginald was offer the position of an Officer in the RAF but he and some friends decided to leaved the Air Force and return to England. For his tour in India Reginald was awarded the India General Service Medal with Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 Clasp

Capt. Fredrick Joseph Cunninghame

Fredrick Cunninghame was born on the 23rd April 1894 in Northampton. In September 1914 he was a working as a journalist.


When the war started he enlisted in Edgar Mobbs' Battalion, "D" Company, 7th Northamptonshire Regiment.

He joined in the R.F.C. in September 1917. He was transferred to 48 Squadron on the 8th May 1917 where he served as a pilot. He gain the status of flying ace by claiming 5 victories.



2nd July 1918 - At 1950 hours with observer 2Lt Knowles engaged a Pfalz scout south-east of Foucaucourt and 50 rounds were fired from the front guns at a range of 100 yards. Shots could be seen entering the fuselage which began to emit smoke, and it fell over on it's side and went down alternatively diving and stalling, apparently out of control.

Some time during this period Cunninghame was promoted to Captain.

28th September 1918 - Led with his observer Lt Brunton an offensive patrol. South east of Roulers saw a formation of six Fokkers about 1,000 feet below them. At 1445 hours he dived on them and singled out the rearmost and when about 200 feet from the E.A. fired about 50 rounds at it. Something was seen to fall from the E.A. He continued to fire and the top right plane folded with the Fokker going down in a right hand spin. It's final fate could not be observed due to clouds below.

3rd October 1918 - Led a bombing run of F2bs on Izegham with his observer Lt.Brunton. They where approached from the south by 12 Fokkers and engaged them. These E.A. had white fuselages with black and white tails and they attached the Bristols over Ingelmunster. Brunton opened fire on the leader at long range and after a few rounds the plane burst into flames and went down East of Inglemunster. Immediately another E.A. was engaged and Brunton fired a full drum into this one which fell out of control and crashed north of Lendelede. During this combat Lt G. Thorneton-Norris and Sgt R.L.G. White engaged one of the Fokkers and after 50 rounds had been fired from the rear the E.A. burst into flames and went down north-west of Iseghem. Unfortunately one plane in the patrol piloted by 2Lt J.B.Cowan with Lt L.N. Jones went down in flames and both pilot and observer where reported 'Missing in Action'.

14th October 1918 - While leading an offensive patrol with observer Lt Jones they observed 10 Fokkers west of Thielt at 0855 hours. They dived and they overshot the first E.A. but he fired 100 rounds into another and shot away part of the elevator or tail plane. The Fokker, with a white tail, side-slipped and spun down out of control, disappearing into the mist below.

Family Photo

The White Family - 1915
Back: Irene White, Arthur White, Reginald White
Front: Phyllis White, Henrietta White, William White, Mabel White

This photograph was taken during 1915 in Buckingham shortly before Arthur, the eldest son, left for France with his Territorial Regiment (Ox. & Bucks Light Infantry). The family who lived at the Police House in the village of Steeple Claydon, Buckinghamshire travelled the six miles to the photographers in a wagonette. This was hired from the proprietor of the "Phoenix" public house for two shillings and sixpence. The publican, Mr Billy Harris, supplemented his public house takings with the hire of this vehicle. The family was accompanied on their journey by a cousin Charles White (later Reverend). Whilst the photograph was being taken Charles tried (with an obvious lack of success) to make everyone laugh by pulling faces.