Lt.? Bobby Reece

Here's a puzzle for you chaps.

I am researching one Bobby Reece (or Reese), supposed an American "millionaire" who originally served with the Lafayettes and transferred to No. 16 RNAS in France as an observer. I need a photograph for my book.

Reece was head of the Reece Buttonhole Manufacturing Co. Any clues on where that could be? There are some great anecdotes about this character and I'd love to find a pic to go with them!

Any help is greatly appreciated as always and if I can return the favour...

Cheers,
Scarlett

[tamerlane]

The company is still in existence, although now owned by the AMF company (famous mostly for sporting goods and apparel). Here is a link to their site:

http://www.amfreece.com/

Unfortunately, their "History" page doesn't mention him, and talks mostly about their products.

Tim

Thanks Tim.

I had already emailed them before I posted here. Since I saw nothing on their history page, I have little hope. I presumed fishing in this vast sea of knowledge on this site would yield a catch sooner.


Scarlett

[MikeW]

Scarlett,

Regarding a photograph, 16 Squadron RNAS is a relatively obscure unit, and whilst I have seen photographs of some of the officers, not your man unfortunately.

If he remained with the squadron into RAF days (216 Squadron RAF) there might well be a "squadron shot" at the end of the war. RAF Museum possibly?

16 squadron flew FE2bs, Handley Page 0/100s and 0/400s, so he was involved in night bombing operations. Can anyone imagine flying an FE2b in 1918????

Mike

[Amy]

Scarlett:

These are probably a l--o--n--g shots, but here it goes: I found a "Reece" who was No. 85 Sq. Was your boy ever in that squadron? I also found a "Robert A. Reese" with No. 32 Sq. and the US 25th Aero.

As I wrote, probably atmospheric long shots... but I can dig more looking for photos if you think there's a match.

Cheers, Amy

[I also found a "Robert A. Reese" with No. 32 Sq. and the US 25th Aero.]

Amy! Quite possibly him. He came to France with the Lafayette Escadrille, crashed so many planes they let him go, and he transferred to No. 216 (or 16) as observer on a Handley Page. The account from his pilot has him with 216 in 1918.

Any connection to the 25th and the Escadrille? Also, any other tidbits from your souce? They may match something else that adds up.

Thanks
Scarlett


BTW, this account has some harrowing stories of Handley Page night bombings.

Also two more clues:

He was awarded the DFC "possibly the first American to receive one" and he DID survive the war.

This about ends all I can ascertain from this account. Maybe I can check through the DFC award? Is there a list someplace online?

Always on patrol,
Scarlett

[Michael]

Send a big cyberhug to Hugh Halliday, because he's got the following for you:

Reece

Originally posted by Hugh Halliday
[b]New England Aviators, 1914‑1918 (Boston, 1920), Vol.2, p.76 does not make the connection either, although it says he "received his aviation training in England".

I haven't seen this book - maybe it has photographs? Most similar books do, and given his status I would think he would be a dead cert.

Hugs, kisses, (on both cheeks, lips and now on knees kissing hands!)

Who says there's no such thing as a Genie

Now (rubbing the mysterious lamp with bi-plane wings) for a PHOTOGRAPH.....


Scarlett


BTW, Halley is the account I am researching, and he has so many crazy stories about this Reece character, and the "Bedouin Squadron".

[Michael]

Originally posted by Irish41@Aug 17 2004, 10:26 AM
[b]


Hugs, kisses, (on both cheeks, lips and now on knees kissing hands!)

Who says there's no such thing as a Genie

I say, Miss! Now please stop that! Be a good girl and go on home, you're drawing a crowd.

Move along there please, nothing to see. Ain'tyer ever seen a woman delirious with 'appiness before? MOOOVE ALONG!