56 sqdn personalities

[paulbardell]

Could any Aerodrome member help me finding some details/informaton on the following two members of 56 Sqdn?

A) Major Balcombe Brown - i know from H I T E B and Airfields & Airmen -Somme, that he was the C/O and was kia in 1918, and is buried in Carnoy Cemetery, on the Somme.
Several years ago i visited this cemetery, and located his grave, and seeing '56 Sqdn' mentioned on his head stone, it kick started my interest in ww1 aviation, which had lain dormant for several years.
I would like to know more of his early Army and RFC career.

B) W. Fielding-Johnson - all i know of this gentleman, is what appears in H I T E B, i am looking for any details of his RFC and later RAF life, and also interested to know if there is a Leicester Connection with his family.

Any information would be most helpful, or pointers to where i can find the details myself.

Many Thanks

Paul - Leicester.

[bristol scout]

Can't really help Paul, BUT on page 201 of 'Brief glory' by Alex Revell you will find a letter from him to the family of Rhys Davids which shows him to have been a man of considerable character I think.

Cheers,
Dave.

[cgarr1235]

Paul, I have some info on Johnson and Brown and I'll send you a letter later. Johnson was flight commander of C flight with squadron 56. My cousin Allen Garrett was in C flight also but I think he got shot down before Johnson took over. All this info is in the book by Alex Revell
HIGH IN THE EMPTY BLUE all about Squadron 56 from 1916- 1919
More later, Chuck Garrett

[paulbardell]

Dave

Many thanks for the information.

The letter in 'Brief Glory' passed my by - i will have to re-read the book asap.

------

Chuck,

Again many thanks for the information, and your kind offer to send more details via a letter.

I am looking forward to seeing it.

Again many thanks, and it shows the people here on the Aerodrome are the best!

regards

Paul

[bristol scout]

Sure you'll get more than this Paul Some real wise guys here (and a few wiseguys....)

Cheers mate,
Dave.

[errolmartyn]

Paul,

From my trilogy 'For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 (Volume Three: Biographies & Appendices)':

BALCOMBE-BROWN, Major Rainsford, MC, mid.
687 (no No. in Army); b Wgtn 27 Feb 95; to UK c.1912; Wanganui Collegiate; to UK c.1912; Oxford Univ (Oriel Coll), England; student. British Army (RFA) & Comm 15 Aug 14; att RFC [merged into RAF 1.4.18] 6 Sqn (BE2a/BE2c) as Observer 25 Mar 15, 'British Flying School' at Le Crotoy (Maurice Farman biplane) as Pilot u/t 4 May 15, [civil RAeC Cert 12.5.15], 13 Sqn (BE2c/Bristol Scout) for trg 25 May 15, Pilots Badge 13 Jul 15 [20 f/ldgs in 30 hrs flown to date!], 1 Sqn (various a/c types) 25 Jul 15, to UK c.Dec 15, 13RAS [redesignated 13 Res Sqn 13.1.16] (various a/c types) as FI 22 Dec 15, 1 Res Sqn (various a/c types) as FI 1 May 16, to France c.mid-Jun 16, 1 Sqn (various a/c types) 21 Jun 16, to UK 3 Nov 16, 43 Trg Sqn (various a/c types) as CO 17 Nov 16, CFS (various a/c types) as FI 17 Jun 17, to France c.mid-Oct 17, 56 Sqn (SE5a) as CO 26 Oct 17, kao 2 May 18. Carnoy Military Cemetery - G.50, France. Son of Edward & Eliza M Balcombe-Brown (née Baillie)], Upper Hutt. Note: credited with 1 enemy balloon dest.

Errol

[paulbardell]

Errol

Verry many thanks for these details - just what i was looking for.

I will be looking for your trilogy, to add to my book shelves.

best regards

Paul