The Aerodrome Forum - View Single Post

timbowler · 16 September 2003, 01:26 PM

John,

Thank you very much for looking up the details of the training squadrons for me. that really helps.

And thanks for naming the books -- I shall check them out.

What I find fascinating is the way the RFC goes from a tiny organisation of a few hundred other ranks and not much more than a handful of pilots -- to a huge organisation with hundreds of thousands of people - and then in 1918-19 - shrinks away again.

Thanks for looking up the Air Force List of May 1921. Since you posted I have checked the Air Force List for April 1921 and it has Flying Officer William Leslie Spinney, killed 24.2.21 - a date which is confirmed by the CWGC website.

I am now trying to find out more details of his crash. 4 Squadron ORBs don't seem to go further back than about 1928. I hope the RAF Museum Hendon may have a casualty card on him -- but I don't know if this will have many more details. The Air Force List says 4 Squadron was at Farnborough - so I assume that's where he was - and I understand they flew Bristol Fighters -- but it would be nice if there are records which confirm this.

All the best

Tim

16 September 2003, 01:26 PM	#4
timbowler Observer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: London Posts: 5	John, Thank you very much for looking up the details of the training squadrons for me. that really helps. And thanks for naming the books -- I shall check them out. What I find fascinating is the way the RFC goes from a tiny organisation of a few hundred other ranks and not much more than a handful of pilots -- to a huge organisation with hundreds of thousands of people - and then in 1918-19 - shrinks away again. Thanks for looking up the Air Force List of May 1921. Since you posted I have checked the Air Force List for April 1921 and it has Flying Officer William Leslie Spinney, killed 24.2.21 - a date which is confirmed by the CWGC website. I am now trying to find out more details of his crash. 4 Squadron ORBs don't seem to go further back than about 1928. I hope the RAF Museum Hendon may have a casualty card on him -- but I don't know if this will have many more details. The Air Force List says 4 Squadron was at Farnborough - so I assume that's where he was - and I understand they flew Bristol Fighters -- but it would be nice if there are records which confirm this. All the best Tim __________________ In memory of Lieutenant Leslie Spinney, RFC & RAF 1892-1921