Lt Cecil William Blain RFC

drailton · 7 April 2009, 07:27 AM

Information on the attempts at escape by Lt Cecil William Blain RFC from a German POW camp are described in 'The Prisoners 1914-18' by Robert Jackson. An incomplete version of this book can be viewed on Google Books. He seems to have died in POW camp.

Can anyone tell me anything about him - flying career, time in POW camp, death?

Graeme · 7 April 2009, 01:15 PM

RAeC certificate number 3665, awarded 29 September 1916. To No 70 Squadron (1½ Strutters). With his Observer (2nd Lt C D Griffiths) plus Capt W D S Sanday + Lt C W Busk and Lt Mase + ? claimed two Albatros two-seaters forced to land on 6 August 1916. With Griffiths, shot down and taken prisoner 7 August 116 in Strutter A380. Awarded the Air Force Cross as per the London Gazette of 3 June 1919. Killed in a flying accident in Camel C1588 at Martlesham Heath on 22 January 1919.

Graeme

josquin · 9 April 2009, 02:33 AM

Cecil William Blain, born 7 October 1896, at Hooton, Cheshire, the son of
Arthur C. & Kathleen Blain. The copy of his RAC record card on ancestry.com
says Certificate #2280 (14 January 1916) rather than what Graeme
listed. His RAC reord card listed his occupation as "farmer" and his
home address as Moorside, Neston, Cheshire, which was also listed
as his home address for the 1901 Census for England. Qualifying for
his RAC certificate at Ruislip, Blain was commissioned directly into the
RFC--he had no prior service in the Army, other regiments.

regards

josquin

Gurgast · 9 April 2009, 06:02 AM

Gra -- that can't be right, or he'd have been shot down before he learned to fly ...

DR -- if you're interested in the doings of 70 Sqn July - Dec 1916, try reading Alan Bott's book. "An Airman's Outing" (Curiously, he's the same chap who later started Pan Books and the Book Club.)

Graeme · 9 April 2009, 10:13 AM

He actually received his ticket, number 2280, on 14 January 1916. Somehow I contrived to give details of the RAeC certificate for Graeme Fleming Blackburn - obviously attracted by the spelling of his Christian name!

Sorry for any confusion.

Graeme

patrickmallahan · 19 April 2009, 09:33 PM

Drailton,

I can tell you more about Blain than there is space here to do it. Get a copy of Barry Winchester's "Beyond the Tumult", Scribner's (in the U.S.A.), 1971. It will serve as a good start on your research. He was a successful escaper and was awarded an A.F.C. but was killed in an air accident in early 1918.

Best of luck,

Patrick

john_g · 24 April 2009, 10:23 PM

Paid a visit last year.

john_g

66 Squadron