Lieutenant SCH Begbie

[L Woodhams]

Hi everybody, I am looking for information and a photo of Lieutenant Begbie. Our local research group is investigating all the names on our local war memorial for World War One and he is one of the young men that I am researching. He was shot down and buried at Lille cemetery on April22nd 1918. All help will be appreciated. Cheers Lynda Woodhams

[josquin]

Lynda,
Sydney Claude Hamilton BEGBIE was born in 1897, in London, the
son of Sydney Dawson Begbie & Maude Mary Begbie; the family
residence in 1901 was Acton, Middlesex, but by the time of the
war the family was living at 3 York Terrace, Regent's Park, London.
Begbie served with the 3rd Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment
and transferred later to the Royal Flying Corps. He flew single seat
scout aircraft with 74 Squadron, in France, and his death date is
22 April 1918 (as you stated). I do not have any additional information
about his wartime service, the circumstances of his death, or a
photograph--perhaps some of these can be found in the excellent
history of 74 Squadron, TIGER SQUADRON, by J.I.T. (Ira) Jones,
who was also one of the squadron's most renowned aces.
regards, josquin

[L Woodhams]

Thanks for the info Josquin. I will look for a copy of the book.

[austin08]

hello Lynda,
Lt SCH Begbie was the first casualty for 74 squadron. Sadly he was shot down in flames over Armentieres whilst on an offensive patrol flying SE5a D281 on 21/4/18. Tiger squadron by Ira Jones does indeed have a small amount of information, (a few mentions really) on Lt Begbie & the circumstances of his death are described.
Hope this is of help,
Daryl

[L Woodhams]

Thanks Daryl, These snippets of information are all helpful. I found the Aerodrome site through typing in Begbie on Google where there seemed to be an ongoing discussion about whether he was a cousin of 'The Red Baron'. Can anyone tell me anything about that idea?
Many thanks Lynda