Brigadier-General G.S. Shephard

Has anyone any information about this officer and his death. thanks

[Vigilant]

McScotch in his book "Fighter Pilot" (1936) writes on page 78 of the Greenhill Books edition that Shepherd (at the age of only 31) was his brigade commander and

" ... very frequently crossed the lines with us [40 Squadron] on special missions, and whenever an attack was in progress his Nieuport was to be seen hovering about, watching what was happening."

Shepherd also wrote a memoir, I believe, which I should think is a highly interesting read. Perhaps someone else can confirm this.

Vigilant

Memoirs of Brigadier General Gordon Shephard, published 1924.

Killed in an accident on Auchel airfield France
19-1-1918.

andy

[Graeme]

Gordon Strachey Shepherd was born in Madras in 1185, the second son of Sir Horatio and Lady Shepherd. He received his education at Summerfields, Eton and Sandhurst. Gained a commission in the Royal Fusiliers in 1905. In 1912 he joined the RFC and was a member of the first five squadrons to fly to France following the declaration of war. He was Captain in the Royal Fusiliers 16 January 1913, Temp Major in the RFC 1 December 1914.

Source: The Distinguished Service Order 1886-1923 by Sir O'Moore Creagh VC GCB GCSI and E M Humphris

He was awarded the Military Cross (London Gazette of 18 February 1915) and the Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette 4 June 1917).

Graeme

Gordon Strachey Shepherd was one of our early birds, having started flying lessons at his own expense and subsequently obtaining his Royal Aero Club Certificate in 1911 (Certificate No. 215). He flew to France with his 4 Sqn colleagues on 13th August 1914 as a Captain and thus began a meteoric rise to high command. On the 19th January 1918 when he was killed in a flying accident he had been awarded the DSO, the MC, the French Legion of Honour and had been six times mentioned in despatches. Few of those who flew to France in 1914 survived the war, but it was felt by all that this man deserved to do so. He had the dubious honour of being the highest ranking casualty from the RAF and its predecessor the RFC.

Just prior to the outbreak of WW1 he took part in a most foolhardy undertaking in that he and the notorious Erskine Childers (later to be executed by a firing squad) took delivery of some 900 rifles and 25,000 rounds of ammunition, procured from agents off the German coast, and delivered to them the South Irish Volunteers at Howth, near Dublin on 26th July 1914. In other words he was a gun-runner and it was believed that only the outbreak of war and his departure for France saved his career in the Army.
I hope this helps, Hylton.

I have a particular interest in Brigadier-General G.S. Shephard and in fact for some time have been searching for one of his medals and his Memorial death plaque. I would be delighted to hear from you if know of their whereabouts or any other items relating to Shephard.
Hylton. (You can email me at
hr@e-goldengems.com

[Graeme]

Another Brigadier-General to become a casualty was E W C Chaytor who was wounded in action on 19 July 1916. Chaytor was Commander of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade and was wounded in the shoulder while serving with No 14 Squadron RFC.

Graeme