87th Squadron France

[MrG]

In researching our WW1 memorial for a village event I have found a man who served in the above Squadron in France in 1918. However other than the facts that the squadron went to France in 1918 and flew Sopwith Dolphins I have been able to find precious little in the way of where they were based, what they did etc. Can any one shed a little more light?

Thanks

[R Gannon]

As of Aug 18 they were at Rougefay as part of 13 Army Wing.

Cheers Russ

[Wace]

Petite-Synthe near Dunkerque in April 1918.
Curious who the man is. Always more interesting to put a name on searches.

[AndyK]

You might want to check out Cross & Cockade's excellent book on the Dolphin ...

[MrG]

Many Thanks for info. My man was A/M 29360 Alfred Bailey. Service record details are limited but he joined the RFC 8/12/1915; shipped to France with 87th Sqdn 22/4/1918 and was "deemed discharged" 30/4/20. There is also a faint note that appears to say R S Chingford?

Any further explanations/clarifications welcome

Thanks

[Graeme]

MrG

No 87 Squadron was formed on 1 September 1917 from elements of the Central Flying School at Upavon. Initially it flew a mixture of types - Avro 504Ks, Sopwith Pups and SE5as - until it received the Sopwith Dolphin in December.

The squadron moved to Hounslow Heath on 17 December 1917 and worked up with the Dolphin, moving to France on 23 April 1918, being stationed at Petite Synthe from 27 April, Estree-le-Crecy from 27 May, Rougefay from 29 June, Soncamp from 19 September and Boussieres from 4 November.

Returning to Ternhill in February 1919, the squadron was disbanded there on 24 June. Throughout its operational life on the Western Front, the squadron came under command of the 13th Wing and claimed at least 91 victories.

Graeme

[MrG]

Many Thanks for this - very useful

[Jim]

Air Mechanic was the lowest rank in the RFC, but there were three grades - AM1, AM2 and AM3 with AM1 the highest. After the three Air Mechanic ranks one could then be promoted to Corporal, and then to Sergeant (there were 3 grades of Sergeant).

Air Mechanics did the many support jobs that enlisted men did that were needed by a Squadron including maintaining aircraft (engines, rigging, fabric, fueling, loading weapons, etc.), doing clerical work, maintaining the landing field, etc. Do you know which level of Air Mechanic your man was and what kind of work he did for the squadron? Without the enlisted men, a squadron would never get off the ground so they were vital to a squadron's success.

[R Gannon]

And of course many a AM flew as gunners on 2-seaters, some scoring victories and some paying the ultimate price. But as 87 Sqn a single seater unit this would not apply.

Cheers Russ

[MrG]

As a matter of fact that's exactly what happened to my wifes Great Uncle....but that's another story