Lieutenant Lynn Newton Bissel. 201st TDS

[merlin3945]

Hello,

I have just stated on my new project of finding out more about the men and women who lie in our local cemeteries based on air service. It has long been on the cards to be done and now seems like the perfect time to start. I have decided to do at least one piece of research everynight and hopefully it wont be long before I can give a background story to every name in the local area. I am starting with East Lothian and running throught the alphabet so first up is...

Lieutenant Lynn Newton Bissel. 201st TDS

Killed 31st October 1918 in an accident involving a Bristol F2.
From Canada.

Can anyone provide any more information on this airman.

I have all the usual CWGC data and a websearch reveals what you see here.

I have dealt with Canadian archives before for WWII casualties but never WWI. Is the same kind of data available for WWI casualties. And who would I contact. Any leads for info and who from gladly received too. I am looking for other areas to look for research details too if anyone can point me in that direction.

Regards Scott McIntosh

[Graeme]

Scott

Chris Hobson's book "Airmen Died in The Great War 1914-1918" gives: Native of Brockville, Ontario, aged 21, killed while flying 31.10.18, buried at Athelstaneford, East Lothian.

He was killed together with Lt Eric Wensley Bragg in F2b B8942. According to Hobson, Bragg came from Upper Norwood, Surrey and was aged 22.

Hobson suggests that other than this crew, only two other members of the flying services were interred in East Lothian, one in Dirleton Parish Churchyard and the other in Prestonkirk Parish Churchyard.

Graeme

[merlin3945]

I wonder if this is a typo on the CWGC site as they have Bissell died 31/10/1918 While Bragg died 31/10/1914.

I wonder which is correct and how we could correct this error.

Did the both indeed die in the same accident?

I will check my copy of Hobsons too and compare the entries.

[merlin3945]

Looks likely that the CWGC site has a typo and that the date of death for both airmen should be 31/10/1918.

The WWI casualties that you mention are the only ones in East Fortune however there are also a number of WWII casualties which are going to be part of the project too.

Once I have finished this list I intend to go back and cover all the casualties from WWI whether buried in the district or not.

Meanwhile any information would be greatfully received.

[merlin3945]

I went down to Athelstaneford today for two reason. A) to photograph the war graves there and B) to take my 2 minutes silence here. I was a little surprised to find that all the graves are really close together and infact Bissell and Bragg are in the same plot. I was also really pleased with the turn out for the memorial service given that it is such a small community.

Anyhow here are the result of my efforts today.

A view of Bissel's grave and of Bragg who lies in the same plot.


Whitthread, the other airmen buried here.


The Athelstaneford War Memorial


A general view. Something quite sobering about this last image. Comrades even in death.


Thanks for looking.

[john_g]

Braggs RAF records is available on line from | The National Archives

Bissell | The National Archives

Note spelling of surname.

CEF attestation papers link again the spelling is with double "L"

Item Display - Soldiers of the First World War - CEF - Library and Archives Canada

Unfortunatly there are no WO339/374's at Kew.


I hope this helps.

john-g


66 Squadron

[merlin3945]

Thanks for that John.

That does help.

I have checked out the links and will act on them when I have some money again.

Do you know if the Canadian file is the front and back page as they show on their preview or is there more to the CEF than that.

Once again thanks for the info.

[john_g]

It is the front page, use this link to cut and paste the images and save to a file. Just type in his name it should come up.


Search - Soldiers of the First World War - CEF - Library and Archives Canada



john-g

[merlin3945]

Thanks John,

Got that.