RFC Wye

Not much is really known about this small and unassuming former military airfield. In fact we have come across many Wye residents who know nothing of this airfield’s former existence! Apart from a small booklet produced by amateur historians (Bygone Kent) and a few short newspaper articles there is not much documented about this important Great War aerodrome. No trace of the airfield now exists which is very disappointing. The land is now ploughed farmland. The last remnant of the airfield was a large hanger which was used as a storage shed by the farmer. This hanger finally disappeared in the mid 1990’s.

Historical Background

Wye aerodrome was situated to the east of Bramble Lane on land owned by Mr. Dockery of Boughton Corner Farm, and was first used by aircraft of the 6th Home Defence Wing in April 1916 in association with other RFC/RNAS airfields at Dover, Joyce Green, Bekesbourne, Throwley, Shoreham and Gosport. The Wye aerodrome was described in an official publication as having an area of 7,000 yards x 600 yards. The runway was moderately flat and three hangers were constructed to house aircraft. Further outbuildings were made in 1916 including a guard room, canteen, repair shed, motor transport shed and hutted accommodation for personnel.

After Armistice Day (11th November 1918) the aerodrome was run down as many

squadrons were reduced to a Cadre.

Wye Squadrons

On 1st February 1916 farmland to the east of Bramble Lane was acquired by the Royal Flying Corps for use as a stand by landing ground. On 20th February 1916 work started to level the ground and construct a runway. Personal facilities for the men were still very rudimentary. Those on duty lived in tents on the airfield. Many officers and men were sent to billets in private households throughout Wye. On 1st April 1916 the first flying machine (from a home Defence squadron) successfully landed at Wye. Almost immediately it was decided to upgrade the airfield and to use it as a pilot training school.

On 24th July 1916 No 20 Reserve Squadron, Royal Flying Corps moved to Wye from Guston near Dover. This squadron operated the following types of flying machines: Avro 504, De Havilland D.H 4, De Havilland D.H 6, Be.2C, Be.12, Re.8. It left Wye 1st June 1917 for Wyton in Cambridgeshire. In July 1916 No 61 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Wye. In late August 1916 this squadron was absorbed into No 63 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps and all it’ personnel left Wye. On 7th December 1916 No 50 Reserve Squadron, Royal Flying Corps arrived at Wye leaving a week later 14th December 1916. On 8th January 1917 No 51 Reserve Squadron Royal Flying Corps arrived at Wye from Filton near Bristol with a similar assortment of aircraft including Martinsyde Elephants. They left Wye on 14th May 1917 for Waddington in Cambridgeshire. On 29th May 1917 No 65 Squadron Royal Flying Corps arrived at Wye with their Sopwith Camels. They remained at Wye until 24th October 1917 when it moved to La Lovie in France. On 2nd February 1916 No 42 Reserve Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Hounslow by personnel from No 19 and No 51 Reserve Squadron’s Royal Flying Corps. On 31st May 1917 it moved to Wye where it was re-designated No 42 Training Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. It operated the following types of machines at Wye: A3144 (B.E.2e), A5156 (R.E.7), B2677 (D.H.6), A1461 (F.K.3), B6478 (R.E.8), A2006 (Avro 504a), A9787 (Avro 504j), H8257 (Avro 504k), A7311 (Sopwith Pup), F9637 (Sopwith Camel), B1934 (Curtiss JN-4a), C5025 (Bristol M1c). About this time in 1917 the Wye aerodrome was extensively used by the American Air Service. Many American pilots received their flying training alongside their British counterparts at Wye before being drafted to frontline fighter squadrons in France. Wye (42 Training Squadron) continued to be used by the Americans until February 1919.

On 18th May 1917 No 66 Reserve Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Wye flying modern aircraft including Sopwith Pup single seater fighters. On 19th June 1917 it moved from Wye to Yatesbury. On 17th September 1917 No 86 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps arrived at Wye from Shoreham, Sussex. They left Wye on 16th December 1917 for Northolt in Middlesex. On 1st April 1918 the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) became the Royal Air Force (RAF) and all squadron titles changed accordingly. In February 1919 No 2 Squadron, Royal Air Force arrived at Wye as a Cadre without their Sopwith Camels, moving to Dover in June 1919. On 15th February 1919 No 3 Squadron, Royal Air Force arrived at Wye as a Cadre. It left Wye 2nd May 1919 for Dover. In June 1919 No 42 Training Squadron, Royal Air Force left Wye and the Wye aerodrome then briefly became No 1 Distribution Centre, Royal Air Force before being returned to farmland in January 1920.

Flying Accidents at Wye

During the Great War there were a few flying accidents at Wye. We have managed to identify the following men killed whilst operating from Wye. It is quite likely that there are additional casualties. It is very hard to trace these deaths because the Commonwealth War Graves Commission do not record how a man died. It’s a great pity that the people of Wye in the 1920’s chose not to include these men’s names on their church war memorial plaque. All these brave airman resided in Wye at the time of their deaths and most met their deaths at Wye…

AGNEW J.P Lieutenant Joseph Paul AGNEW MC. 42nd Training Squadron, Royal Flying Corps (RFC). Formerly 79th Company, Machine Gun Corps (MGC). Died Flying Accident Boughton Corner Farm, Wye, Ashford, Kent. (Sopwith Camel) 14th August 1918 aged 22 years. Born Cowper, Northumberland. Son of Thomas and Jane Ann Agnew of The Post Office, Cowpen Village, Blyth, Northumberland. Buried in the Ashford Cemetery. Grave reference RC.1725. Joseph was buried in Ashford which is close to the site of his flying accident. Joseph’s name appears on the Blythe Civic War Memorial, Cowpen, Blythe, Northumberland. Upon the outbreak of war in August 1914, Joseph was one of the very first men to volunteer for overseas active service. He responded immediately to Earl Kitcheners call for men enlisting into the army as a Private soldier. Joseph worked up through the ranks and by 1916 he was a Second Lieutenant in the Machine Gun Corps. In June 1917 he was awarded the Military Cross for his previous service in Egypt in 1916 for bravery in the face of the enemy – At night he was in charge of 2 guns and whilst moving up with the infantry to an assembly position his sub-section came under heavy shell fire. Several of his men were killed outright and others were badly wounded. He ordered his men to scatter and take cover. Joseph was wounded by a shell and badly concussed. Despite this he took charge of the situation and carried on directing his men. Joseph and an NCO went forward under heavy shell-fire and joined a small party of infantry, where he remained until daybreak ordering his own men and

taking charge of the infantry men too. By this time he and his men had captured 8 enemy soldiers. Joseph was awarded the Military Cross personally by Field Marshall the Duke of Connaught (the King’s brother) for encouraging his men by way of example to hold on in the face of a furious enemy counter-attack. In June 1918 Joseph’s parents received an erroneous notification from the War Office advising them that their son Joseph had been wounded and then subsequently killed by gassing in Egypt. Two days later they received a telegraph from Joseph telling them he was wounded but still alive! After being awarded the MC, Joseph transferred into the Royal Flying Corps with the commissioned rank of Lieutenant. In June 1917 Joseph returned to the UK on leave and shortly after was sent to 42nd Training Squadron, Royal Flying Corps at Wye to learn to fly. During this training Joseph was involved in a tragic flying accident. His commanding officer Major Lucey reported the circumstances of his death – Lieutenant Agnew was ordered to attack and fire at a ground target which necessitated low flight. He approached the target in his Sopwith Camel and fired three bursts into it. After hitting his target Lt Agnew performed a series of rolls. On the third roll, his machine got into a spin and nose dived to the ground! The manoeuvre he was making was not necessarily disobeying orders, because it was an accepted practice at that time to celebrate victories by “barrel rolling”. Corporal James Talbot left the airfield at Wye with a rescue team and headed for Boughton Corner Farm where Joseph’s machine had appeared to come down in a cornfield. Upon arriving on the scene Corporal Talbot was met with a picture of sheer carnage! Lieutenant J.P Agnew was found in the wreckage of the machine very severely injured. Lieutenant Agnew was extricated from the wreckage of the Sopwith machine and taken with all haste to Ashford Hospital. Upon arriving at the hospital in Ashford Lieutenant Agnew’s condition worsened and he died of his injuries. The Kent County Coroner held an inquest into the circumstances of the fatal accident on 16 August 1918. Its verdict was “Death by Miss-adventure”. He died of a fracture of the back of the skull and other serious internal injuries consistent with a violent impact. Joseph was given the honour of a full military funeral. The Reverend F.T McSweeney conducted the ceremony in Ashford’s Canterbury Road Municipal Cemetery. The military representatives were commanded by Captain Larduci with Lieutenants Alexander, Mackintosh, Butler, Brandt and Cadet Gray also in attendance. Private Spearing sounded the “Last Post” on a bugle and a firing party under Sergeant Kingston fired the volley. Captain Larduci laid a wreath from all members of 42 Training Squadron, RAF from Wye. Joseph’s body was interred in the Roman Catholic Section at Ashford’s Municipal Cemetery, Canterbury Road, Ashford. The reason why he was buried in Ashford and not alongside his other fallen colleagues at Wye Churchyard is the fact he was a Roman Catholic. The 42nd Training Squadron, RFC was a reserve training squadron based at the Wye Aerodrome, Bramble Lane, Wye, Kent. No trace of the airfield today other than a few bits of concrete in a ploughed field. Joseph’s father Thomas Agnew was killed in another tragic accident on 14 August 1937.

BLAKE E Corporal 14448 Edgar BLAKE. 42nd Training Squadron, Royal Air Force. Wye. Formerly Royal Flying Corps (RFC). Died 27th June 1918. Son of Alfred and Emily Blake of 50, Batoum Gardens, Hammersmith, London. Buried locally in the Wye (SS Gregory and Martin) Church Graveyard, Wye, Ashford, Kent. Grave reference – East part. We have been unable to find out very much about this NCO which is rather dissapointing. If you can help us by providing additional information about him or indeed any other man listed here, please get in touch with us at ashfordfallen@hotmail.co.uk Thanks. Edgar’s name was not placed on the Wye church tribute despite the fact he was buried within 50 yards if it! Even if Edgar was not strictly speaking a resident of Wye, he has now resided there for over 80 years…

DAVIDSON A.B Second Lieutenant Alexander Bonn DAVIDSON. 42nd Training Squadron, Royal Flying Corps (RFC). Wye Aerodrome. Died Tidworth Hospital, Wiltshire 26th September 1916 aged 25 years following a flying accident on the Salisbury Plain. Born Ashford 31 August 1891. Son of Alexander Owen and Elsie Davidson (Nee Bonn) of Ashford. Buried in the Ashford Cemetery, Ashford, Kent. Grave reference 3478. This is a private family plot and headstone. Nephew of Amy Elizabeth BONN who named as his will executor. He left Nicolai Railway Bonds to his mother Elsie Davidson and the residue of his estate to his aunt Amy Bonn. Nephew of Mrs. Digby Langford of 11 College Road, Winchmore Hill, London who arranged his funeral in Ashford. Educated Sandwich College, Sandwich, Kent. After leaving Sandwich College, Alexander went to Germany to study. In 1909 he travelled to Australia where he became a civil engineer. He returned to England in June 1916 to fight for his mother country. In July 1916 Alexander went to Christchurch College at Oxford with the army to take the Royal Flying Corps pilot entry examination. On 5 August 1916 Alexander was gazetted Second Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps. In 1916 his permanent address was listed as 161 Clarence Street, Sydney, Australia. His profession before the outbreak of war was Engineering Manager working for Messrs Scrutton and Co of Australia and London. His father Alexander Owen Davidson is buried alongside his son in the Ashford Cemetery – Born 13th February 1868 died 13th November 1892. On 8th September 1916 Alexander arrived at the Central Flying School, 4th Wing, RFC Netheravon for basic aviation instruction. It seems unbelievable that Alexander’s name was not placed on the Ashford Civic War Memorial taking into account that he was clearly an Ashford man…

FORSDICK H.R Sergeant 96611 (Pilot) Horace Reginald FORSDICK. 42nd Training Squadron, Royal Air Force (RAF). Wye Aerodrome. Died Flying Accident Hinxhill 6th May 1918. Buried Croydon (Mitcham Road) Cemetery, Croydon, London. Grave reference C5.10031. We have been unable to find out very much about this NCO which is rather dissapointing. If you can help us by providing additional information about him or indeed any other man listed here, please get in touch with us at ashfordfallen@hotmail.co.uk Thanks. Horace was killed instantly when his machine a Sopwith Camel crashed in flames at Hinxhill. A local man named Tait attempted a gallant rescue but was fought back by flames.

HILLEBRANDT F.E Second Lieutenant Frederick Edmund HILLEBRANDT. 5th Wing, Royal Flying Corps (RFC). General List. Formerly 10th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died of injuries sustained in a Flying Accident 22 March 1917 at Wye aged 23 years. Born Islington, London 1893. Son of Father Edmund Henry and Grace Maria Elizabeth Hillebrandt of 86 Blythswood Road, Ilford, Essex. Fiancee of Miss V.M Lawrence of 15a Montpelier Vale, Blackheath, London. Buried Iford Cemetery, Ilford, Essex. Grave reference- C.2055. Frederick’s fathers headstone in Ilford Cemetery states that he – “died from injuries received whilst performing his duty” on 27 August 1911 aged 46 years”. His mother died of natural causes on 20 April 1929 aged 63 years. Both are buried in the same plot as their son Frederick. Poor Frederick was killed when his aircraft a Avro 504A Number A417 from No 51 Reserve Squadron crashed 15 March 1917 shortly after taking off from Wye Aerodrome. His pilot Lieutenant O.C Bryson attempted to save Frederick and won the George Cross in doing so. Regretfully Frederick died a few days later of severe burns. It seems very unfair his sacrifice is not commemorated at Wye anywhere… Lieutenant Oliver Campbell BRYSON, GC, MC, DFC & Bar, RAF Born: 18 August 1896. Educated: Bromsgrove School Date of George Cross Action: 15 March 1917 Place of GC Action: Wye Aeorodrome, Kent Age on GC Action: 21 years Died: 27 March 1977 London Gazette: 11 January 1918 Citation - "The KING was pleased, at Buckingham Palace, on Wednesday, the 9th instant, to present to Captain Oliver Campbell Bryson, Flight Commander, Royal Flying Corps, the Albert Medal, which was awarded by His Majesty in recognition of his gallantry in endeavouring to save life in March last. The circumstances are as follows: — On the 15th March, 1917, Captain (then Lieutenant, Bryson, with Second Lieutenant Hillebrandt as passenger, was piloting an aeroplane at Wye Aerodrome when, owing to a sideslip, the machine crashed to the ground and burst into flames. On disentangling himself from the burning wreckage Captain Bryson at once went back into the flames, dragged Lieutenant Hillebrandt from the machine, and notwithstanding his own injuries, which were undoubtedly aggravated by his gallant efforts to rescue his brother officer from the fire, endeavoured to extinguish the fire on Lieutenant Hillebrandt's clothing. Lieutenant Hillebrandt succumbed to his injuries a few; days later."

LEVY A.G Second Lieutenant Alwyne Gordon LEVY. 42nd Training Squadron, Royal Air Force (RAF). Wye Aerodrome. Died in a Flying Accident Kennington 25th April 1918. Buried Willesden (St Mary’s) Jewish Cemetery, Willesden, London. Alwyne was killed in a flying accident whilst stationed at the nearby Wye aerodrome, Bramble Lane, Wye. On Thursday 25th April 1918 Alwyne was piloting a Sopwith Pup machine on a training mission from Wye Aerodrome. His machine was involved in a mid air collision with another machine (Avro Trainer) from Wye being piloted by Lieutenant Cyril WHELAN. The Avro had a observer on board - Lieutenant Edmund MARRABLE. Both machines came down near the Golden Ball Public House. All three officers were killed outright. All officers involved in this flying accident appear here as Ashford men. It seems inconceivable that none were included on any local war memorial… After the accident Alwyne’s body was returned to his parents somewhere in London and they buried him in the Willesden Jewish Cemetery. McCARTER D Second Lieutenant Duncan McCARTER. 42nd Training Squadron, Royal Air Force. Wye Aerodrome. Formerly Royal Flying Corps (RFC). Died in a Flying Accident over Willesborough 1st May 1918. Son of James and Jemima McCarter of 12 Bright Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland. Buried Edinburgh (North Merchiston) Cemetery, Edinburgh, Scotland. Duncan was killed outright when his machine nose dived into the ground in a field beside the River Stour at South Willesborough. Mr John Leeds a local resident remembers being taken to see the wreckage as an 11 year old boy. He remembers that the pilots body had made an impression in the ground some eight inches deep! Death must have been instant. After the accident Duncan’s body was recovered by his parents to Scotland and he was buried in Edinburgh with full military honours. It is not known how this man came to be forgotten by those in Ashford and Wye. His name should have been placed on a local civic tribute but it never was…

McCARTNEY-FILGATE D.M Second Lieutenant Desmond Maurice McCARTNEY-FILGATE. 42nd Training Squadron, Wye, Royal Air Force. Formerly Royal Flying Corps. Died 31st May 1918 aged 18 years. Son of Charles and Mary Macartney-Filgate of Florence Place, Borth, Cardiganshire, Scotland. Buried locally in the Wye (SS Gregory and Martin) Churchyard, Wye, Ashford, Kent. Grave reference not recorded. This man is buried in the Wye Churchyard yet his name does not appear on the church memorial plaque a few yards away. We have been unable to find out very much about this officer which is rather dissapointing. If you can help us by providing additional information about him or indeed any other man listed here, please get in touch with us at ashfordfallen@hotmail.co.uk Thanks. Desmond was killed in a flying accident that occurred at the Wye RAF Aerodrome. History of the 33rd Divisional (Royal) Artillery in the war (1914 -1918) (ISBN 1843429780) was written by a Major J Macartney-Filgate. It would appear that this unit was based in Camberwell, South London. One would imagine that the author must have been related to Desmond in some way.

MARRABLE E Lieutenant Edmund MARRABLE. 42nd Training Squadron, Royal Air Force. Formerly Royal Field Artillery (RFA). Died Flying Accident near Golden Ball Public House Thursday 25th April 1918 aged 25 years. Son of Douglas and Laura Maria Marrable of 6 Gloucester Road, Paddington, London. Buried locally in the St Mary’s Churchyard, Kennington, Ashford, Kent. Also Commemorated on the Dorchester, Dorset civic war memorial. His father Douglas was a solicitor in Dorchester who came from Scotland. His mother Laura Maria came from Australia. Edmund’s CWGC headstone records his unit as the Royal Artillery. In fact when killed he was serving as an Observer in the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). Edmund was killed in a flying accident whilst stationed at the nearby Wye aerodrome, Bramble Lane, Wye. On 25th April 1918 Edmund was the passenger in a Avro Trainer flown by Lieutenant Cyril WHELAN. The machine was involved in a mid air collision with another machine (Sopwith Pup) being flown by Second Lieutenant Alwyne Gordon LEVY. Both machines came down near the Golden Ball Public House, Kennington. All three officers were killed outright. Edmund was buried close by to where his machine fell out the sky. The other two officers bodies were returned to their parents and both were buried in London. All officers involved in this flying accident appear here as Ashford men. It seems inconcievable that none were included on any local war memorial. It is quite remarkable that Edmund’s name was not placed on the Kennington War Memorial. His headstone is a stones throw from it! Even if Edmund was not strictly speaking a local man at the time of his death, he certainly is now having remained in the area for over 80 years…

Dorchester War Memorial

McGIBBON D.H Second Lieutenant David Hegler McGIBBON. 42nd Training Squadron, Royal Air Force (RAF). Formerly Canadian Forces. Died 15th September 1918 aged 20 years. David was from Sarnia in Canada. Buried locally in the Wye (SS Gregory and Martin) Churchyard, Wye, Ashford, Kent. Grave reference 125. We have been unable to find out very much about this officer which is rather dissapointing. If you can help us by providing additional information about him or indeed any other man listed here, please get in touch with us at ashfordfallen@hotmail.co.uk Thanks. David was killed in a flying accident at Wye whilst piloting a SE5 single seater fighter. His name does not appear on any local civic tribute which is disappointing.

ROBINSON G Captain George ROBINSON MC. 42nd Training Squadron, Wye, Royal Air Force. Formerly Royal Flying Corps (RFC). Formerly Canadian Corps Cavalry Regiment (Light Horse). Died 19th May 1918. Born in Canada. Buried locally in the Wye (SS Gregory and Martin) Churchyard, Wye, Ashford, Kent. Grave reference 121. George was awarded the Military Cross (MC) for courage and leadership skills. He died in a flying accident somewhere near Wye. We have been unable to find out very much about this officer which is rather dissapointing. If you can help us by providing additional information about him or indeed any other man listed here, please get in touch with us at ashfordfallen@hotmail.co.uk Thanks. His name does not appear on any local civic tribute which is disappointing.

SPENCE A.W Lieutenant Alec William SPENCE. 51st Reserve Squadron, Wye. Royal Flying Corps (RFC). Formerly Middlesex Regiment. Died 25th April 1917 aged 21 years. Born Cricklewood, London 2nd April 1896. Son of John H and Alice Spence of White Cottage, Penton Hook, Staines, Middlesex. Buried locally in the Wye (SS Gregory and Martin) Churchyard, Wye, Ashford, Kent. Grave reference – Near Old West Wall. We have been unable to find out very much about this officer which is rather dissapointing. If you can help us by providing additional information about him or indeed any other man listed here, please get in touch with us at ashfordfallen@hotmail.co.uk Thanks. Alec died in some kind of flying accident whilst serving at the Wye RFC aerodrome. His name does not appear on any local civic tribute which is disappointing.

TOMBS C.E Airman 1st Class 4951 Cecil Edmund TOMBS. 20th Reserve Squadron. Royal Flying Corps (RFC). Wye RFC Aerodrome. Formerly 20th Reserve Squadron, Dover, RFC. Died 23rd October 1916 aged 20 years. Son of Charles E and Emily Tombs of 3, Homestead Road, Fulham, London. Buried locally in the Wye (SS Gregory and Martin) Churchyard, Wye, Ashford, Kent. Grave reference – North East of Church. We have been unable to find out very much about this NCO which is rather dissapointing. If you can help us by providing additional information about him or indeed any other man listed here, please get in touch with us at ashfordfallen@hotmail.co.uk Thanks. It seems very odd that Cecil’s name was not placed on any Wye war memorial bearing in mind he was buried within 50 yards of both tributes. Cecil’s headstone very helpfully states that he was a 1st Class Wireless Operator and that he was killed in a flying accident near Wye. Apparently the machine he was flying in suddenly collapsed in mid air!

VAN DEN DUNGEN L (Served as L Dungin) Airman 1st Class Leon VAN DEN DUNGEN (Served as L Dungin). 42nd Training Squadron, Wye, Royal Flying Corps (RFC). Died 9th May 1917 aged 23 years. Son of Bernard Van Den Dungen of 27 Chaussee D’Alost Street, Gilles-Lez-Termonde, Belgium. Buried locally in the Wye (SS Gregory and Martin) Churchyard, Wye, Ashford, Kent. Grave reference – Near Old West Wall. We have been unable to find out very much about this NCO which is rather dissapointing. If you can help us by providing additional information about him or indeed any other man listed here, please get in touch with us at ashfordfallen@hotmail.co.uk Thanks. Leon served in the army as L DUNGIN. This is the name that appears on his headstone in the Wye churchyard. Leon was in fact a Belgium national who volunteered for service in the British army upon the outbreak of war. His name does not appear on any local civic tribute which is disappointing bearing in mind he resided in Wye when killed.

VINE H.C.L (Chum Vine) Flight Sergeant 202720 Henry (Harry) Charles Land VINE. 42nd Training Squadron, Royal Flying Corps (RFC). Formerly (Driver) Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). Died 3rd November 1918 aged 32 years. Born Hampstead, London. Son of Henry and Alice Jane Vine. Husband of Letitia Alice Vine of 15 Wentworth Mansions, Keats Grove, Hampstead, London. Buried locally in the Wye (SS Gregory and Martin) Churchyard, Wye, Ashford, Kent. Grave reference 126. Harry’s name appears on the Hampstead civic parish memorial at old St. Stephens Church in Hampstead alongside his brother – Driver MT/1078 Edgar VINE. South African Service Corps (SASC). Died 26 September 1916. Son of Henry and Alice Jane Vine of 15 Wentworth Mansions, Keats Grove, Hampstead, London. Buried Mombassa (Mbaraki) Cemetery, Mombassa, Kenya. Grave reference – III.C.4. Before the outbreak of war Harry was working as an Assistant Clerk (Abstractor) for the Board of Trade in the Seaman’s Registry. The present Department of Trade and Industry maintains a website dedicated to the men from the Board of Trade (DTI) who fell in both world wars. It appears that Harry was an artist and that he signed his work “Chum Vine”. His yearly wage was £88.6s in 1906. In April 1918 Harry was listed as being a Driver in the RNAS. His headstone at Wye wrongly gives his unit as the Royal Air Force. The RAF didn’t come into being until 1st April 1918.

WHELAN C Lieutenant Cyril WHELAN. 42nd Training Squadron, Royal Air Force (RAF). Wye Aerodrome. Formerly Royal Flying Corps (RFC). Died Flying Accident Kennington Thursday 25th April 1918 aged 19 years. Son of Albert Whelan (very famous Australian Music Hall Entertainer of the early 1900’s known by his whistling signature tune) of 221 Brixton Hill, Brixton, London. Buried Kensal Green Roman Chatholic Cemetery, Kensal Green, London. Grave reference 1.1952. Priot to the outbreak of war Cyril was working as an actor in London. Cyril was killed in a flying accident whilst stationed at the nearby Wye aerodrome, Bramble Lane, Wye. On Thursday 25th April 1918 Cyril was piloting an Avro Trainer machine on a training mission from Wye Aerodrome. His machine was involved in a mid air collision with another machine (Sopwith Pup) from Wye being piloted by Second Lieutenant Alwyne Gordon LEVY. The Avro being piloted by Cyril had a observer on board - Lieutenant Edmund MARRABLE. Both machines came down near the Golden Ball Public House. All three officers were killed outright. All officers involved in this flying accident appear here as Ashford men. It seems inconceivable that none were included on any local Ashford civic war memorial… After the accident Cyril’s body was returned to his parents in Brixton London and they buried him in Kensal Green Cemetery. The authorities provided a full military funeral.

WYE 1 mile from Wye railway station 179 & 189 : TR 044477 : Kent : 86 acres : 700 x 600 yards : 150 feet amsl. HD NLG 3rd for 50 (HD) Sqn RFC : Training Squadron Station RFC/RAF 6.1916 – 6.1919. Three 1915 pattern Flight Sheds, 210 x 65 feet. 20 RS/TS 24.7.1916 from Dover (Swingate Down). 1.6.1917 to Wyton 61 Sqn 5.7.1916 formed with nucleus ex 20 RS Dover (Swingate Down). 24.8.1916 disbanded into 63 Sqn Raploch (Stirling) 50 RS 7.12.1916 formed. 14.12.1916 to Narborough 51 RS 8.1.1917 from Bristol (Filton). 14.5.1917 to Waddington 66 RS 1.5.1917 formed with nucleus ex 20 RS. 10.5.1917 to Yatesbury 65 Sqn 29.5.1917 from Wyton. 27.10.1917 to St Omer for La Lovie (F) 86 Sqn 17.9.1917 from Shoreham. 16.12.1917 to Northolt 42 TS 16.12.1917 from Hounslow. 1.2.1919 disbanded 24th Aero Sqn USAAS HQ* 31.1.1918 from USA. 1.5.1918 to Narborough 24th Aero Sqn USAAS Flts* 31.1.1918 from USA. 2.1918 to London Colney, Sedgeford & Wyton 3 Sqn cadre* 15.2.1919 from Inchy (F). 2.5.1919 to Dover (Swingate Down) Note – the station was intended to house a flight of 50 (HD) Sqn in 6.1916 but the plan was abandoned. 6th Wing from 12.4.1916 6th Wing, 1 (Training) Group, SE Area 1918 42 RESERVE/TRAINING SQUADRON RFC/RAF Bases Formed in 18th Wing at Hounslow 2.11.1916 with nucleus from 19 RS. Initially served as a training unit for Corps pilots. Designated as a Higher Reserve Squadron and establishment at 23.12.1916 set at 6 AW + 6 BE + 6 RE8. To Wye in 6th Wing 16.12.1917 and transferred to training Scout pilots. Was not absorbed into the Training Depot system. Autumn 1918 establishment set at 12 Camel + 12 Avro. Disbanded 1.2.1919. Commanding Officers Major RS Lucy by 8.1918. Representative Aeroplanes Airco DH6 A9611, A9616, A9666, A9667, A9678, A9679, A9705, B2609, B2610, B2677, C7609. Avro 504A A492, A1977, A1979, A1991, A1992, A1993, A1994, A2006, A2008, A2646. Avro 504J/K A9787, C657, C4321, C4323, C4361, D2117, D4394, D6263, D6309, D7052, D7671, H8257. AW FK3 A1461. Curtiss JN4 B1914, B1915, B1916, B1934, B1936, B1937, B1938. Martinsyde G.102 B3995. RAF BE2b 2778. RAF BE2d 6314. RAF BE2e 5817, 6314, 7086, 7098, 7108, 7181, A1267, A1820, A1861, A2756, A2819, A2863, A2884, A2885, A2902, A3057, A3144, A3166, B748, B4464, B4465, B9943, C7086, C7101, C7108. RAF RE7 2194, 2401, A5156. RAF RE8 A71, A90, A3176, A3185, A3186, A3224, A3407, A3409, A3410, A3411, A3414, A3468, A3618, A3885, A3893, A4173, A4192, A4238, B781, B6478, B6479. Sopwith Pup A7311, B2236, B5271, B5285, B5288, B5321, B5323, B7752, C3503, D4079. Sopwith F1 Camel B2469, B2506, B5195, B5197, B5218, B7301, B7319, B7331, B7334, B7428, B7430, B7477, B7790, B7820, B9141, B9192, B9228, B9912, F9637, H8253. Unit Markings Small cockade painted on fins of BE2e and RE8. Avros and Camels at Wye carried narrow blue-white-blue bands on rear fuselage.

Lieutenant Oliver Campbell BRYSON, GC, MC, DFC & Bar, RAF Born: 18 August 1896. Educated: Bromsgrove School Date of George Cross Action: 15 March 1917 Place of GC Action: Wye Aeorodrome, Kent Age on GC Action: 21 years Died: 27 March 1977 London Gazette: 11 January 1918 Citation – "The KING was pleased, at Buckingham Palace, on Wednesday, the 9th instant, to present to Captain Oliver Campbell Bryson, Flight Commander, Royal Flying Corps, the Albert Medal, which was awarded by His Majesty in recognition of his gallantry in endeavouring to save life in March last. The circumstances are as follows: — On the 15th March, 1917, Captain (then Lieutenant, Bryson, with Second Lieutenant Hillebrandt as passenger, was piloting an aeroplane at Wye Aerodrome when, owing to a sideslip, the machine crashed to the ground and burst into flames. On disentangling himself from the burning wreckage Captain Bryson at once went back into the flames, dragged Lieutenant Hillebrandt from the machine, and notwithstanding his own injuries, which were undoubtedly aggravated by his gallant efforts to rescue his brother officer from the fire, endeavoured to extinguish the fire on Lieutenant Hillebrandt's clothing. Lieutenant Hillebrandt succumbed to his injuries a few; days later."