Sergeant Lilleywhite or Lillywhite. RFC

[Ian Burns]

I am trying to find some service details of a Sergeant pilot posted to Egypt in December 1914 to join the Egypt Detachment RFC.

Unit records use the name Lilleywhite, but it could be Lillywhite.

The was a Sergeant R J Lillywhite (RAeC Cert 740, 1 Jan 1914), later killed as a Temp Capt in November 1916, see AIR 76/300/47 - but that only covers his commissioned service.
I cannot locate his non-commissioned records... but he seems to have served in France from December 1914 (A Contemptible Little Flying Corps, 1377, R J Lillywhite.)

[Frank_Olynyk]

My database shows a 2nd/Lt Robert John Lillywhite in 3 Sqn on Oct 26, 1915 (RFC16; CR: 3Sqdn/1216-180) and as Lt RJL on Dec 19, 1915 (RFC25; CR: 3Sqdn/1216-174, 176, 177). Shown as KIFA, November 26, 1916, DH2 A2575. AIR 76/300/47

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Graeme]

Fleshing out Frank's post:

RFC Communiqué No 16 [26 October 1915]:

2nd Lieut Lillywhite and 2nd Lieut Fielding Johnston, 3 Sqn, in a Morane Parasol on escort duty to photographic reconnaissance, when flying at 10,000 feet saw an Aviatik 500 feet below them and dived towards it opening fire. The Aviatik turned towards its own lines. The Morane was now attacked from behind by two more Aviatiks which both opened fire at about 150 yards. On fire being returned both the hostile machines dived in opposite directions apparently undamaged. A fourth Aviatik now opened fire from above and glided past the Morane into the German lines with its propellor stopped. As Lieut Lillywhite was returning to the aerodrome he met yet another Aviatik which he chased for about 15 minutes over the lines, the German eventually turning and going down into its own lines.

RFC Communiqué No 22 [28 November 1915]:

2nd Lieut Lillywhite and Lieut Sherwin (Morane, 3 Sqn) returning from photography encountered an Aviatik over Bethune. Fire was opened at about 400 feet as the hostile machine passed immediately over the Morane, but the Lewis gun jammed after the sixth round. The Aviatik crossed the lines apparently undamaged.

RFC Communiqué No 25 [19 December 1915]:

Lieut Lillywhite and Lieut Long (Morane, 3 Sqn) fired one drum at a range of about 250 feet into an Aviatik which dived steeply, flattened out near the ground and then turned over and crashed just east of Salome.

Other data:

15-Jan-1916 - 2nd-Lieut Robert John Lillywhite (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut Charles Ernest Sherwin (Wia), 3 Sqn RFC, Morane N 5077 - machine serviceable but observer wounded after forced landing near Givenchy on artillery patrol

26-Nov-1916 - Capt Robert John Lillywhite, 6 (Reserve) Squadron, killed while flying D.H.2 A2575 - sideslip on turn at 50 ft.

From 'Flight' of 7 December 1916: "It has been unofficially reported that Capt. R. J. Lillywhite, R.F.C., the well-known Hendon pilot, has been killed in an aeroplane accident at the front."

Also from 'Flight' of 7 December 1916: "News has been received of the death of Captain ROBERT JOHN LILLYWHITE, R.F.C., in an aeroplane accident at the Front, at the age of 23. He was a nephew of Lillywhite, the famous Sussex cricketer, and his father was for many years in the service of the Duke of Richmond, on his West Sussex estate. He originally entered the Navy, but was discharged for medical reasons. Taking up aviation, he was one of the first to obtain a pilot's certificate under the new rules. Engaged as flying instructor in the R.F.C., he served in Egypt, and in 1915 was transferred to another front, when he obtained a Lieutenant's commission. Injured in a motor accident early in this year, he returned home to recuperate. During this period he carried out duties as inspector of aerodromes, and lecturer. In September he was promoted Captain."

No 6 (Reserve) Squadron was based at Catterick.

A biography is at:

https://chichesterinthegreatwar.file...holas-shaw.pdf

Graeme

[Ian Burns]

Thank you Graeme and Frank.

The French history I was aware of, probably from similar sources.

But the biography link has provided the missing link as it were.

Many thanks
Ian

[regular122]

One minor add. His RAeC number should read 720 vice 740.

Steve

[Ian Burns]

Thanks. I had missed that - my bad.