Frank T. Courtney

spad · 8 August 2022, 08:12 AM

I used to have his autobiography but it's somewhere in the loft....possibly behind my daughters collection of "Littlest Pet Shop" figures or my son's Tynecastle BC Kit Bags.

What I can glean from the internet is that he was a 2/AM with 20 Squadron before becoming a test pilot. Sent to France as a flying officer in December 1916 he joined 45 Squadron. He was promoted T/Capt. on 14 March 1917 and joined 70 Squadron but within a week was returned to 45 Squadron to take command of B Flight after they had lost some flight commanders. Within a month he was sacked, and sent home after a disagreement with a senior officer(Col. Webb-Owen).

All of the above are details he provides of these events. 45 Squadron had lost it's most charismatic pilot, Capt. EFP Lubbock on 11 March 1917. Courtney seems to have been recalled from 70 Squadron to lead the flight in his stead.

By early April 1917, despite severe losses, Courtney, who (like 45 Squadron) had seen very little action until March 1917 is removed from command and replaced by Capt CH Jenkins. Interestingly accounts vary about the timeline, some stating three weeks. Courtney flew on the disastrous April 6, 1917 mission where the squadron lost three crews. His remarks that night in the squadron mess must have put him on the boat by April 7 when he flew a Lt JD Belgrave to St Omer to pick up a replacement aircraft.

Courtney must have really offended Webb-Owen for this timeline. Jenkins takes command on 9 April 1917. Could it be that Courtney was suffering from combat fatigue and his removal was less a difference of opinion and more a medical issue?

Or was Webb-Owen the sort of martinet that would demand his removal?

K

Graeme · 8 August 2022, 12:55 PM

From Rafweb.org:

Unsuited to regimental life, he [Tom Ince Webb-Bowen] returned home and learnt to fly, gaining RAeC Certificate No 242 on 2 July 1912, after which he transferred to the RFC. Whilst visiting No 45 Squadron in 1917 [as Brigadier-General Commanding, II Brigade RFC], he overheard a flight commander talking about the Sopwith 2-seaters say "some say that they are a bloody fine aircraft, well I say they're more bloody than fine." Webb-Bowen immediately had the flight commander posted to Home Establishment.

Graeme

spad · 8 August 2022, 11:11 PM

I wonder what reasons Webb-Owen gave for this abrupt course of action? Commenting on an aircraft's suitability seems a bit weak. The comments themselves seem rather mild for them to be described as mutinous. If it was a disciplinary action was Courtney charged, perhaps with spreading defeatism? Being returned to Home Establishment several weeks or months (I believe he joined 45 Squadron in November 1916) before the normal end of a tour seems to require a formal explanation. After all Webb-Owen could just have demoted Courtney.

The exact transcription of Courtney's outburst in every account I've read could be cross-fertilisation, taken verbatim from one book to another. Were there any other witnesses to this event apart from Courtney? Did Webb-Owen himself admit to these actions in any account?

K

Graeme · 9 August 2022, 12:59 AM

As the OC II Brigade, I doubt that Webb-Bowen had to explain himself; he could merely state that one of his officers required a rest and job done. I would imagine Webb-Bowen's reasoning was to prevent Courtney's opinion becoming widespread through the squadron; demotion would have been punishment but would not have 'solved the problem' so a return to HE was the better solution.

Courtney had joined the squadron towards the end of November 1916, so his departure in April 1917, while abrupt, was not that far short of the completion of a 'tour'.

Webb-Bowen briefly commanded VII Brigade in Italy before returning to the Western Front to again take command of II Brigade, on 3 April 1918, remaining in this position until February 1919.

Graeme

spad · 9 August 2022, 05:33 AM

Very possible but his removal within three weeks of his transfer is not usual for a flight commander. Mountford, McArthur and Lubbock had all completed longer periods of service. A pilot not promoted to this command would be expected to leave after six months but just over four months is quite a bit short of even that term.

Demotion might have solved the problem by putting Courtney on notice. After all Courtney while a veteran aviator was hardly a decorated veteran, indeed his limited active service as a officer pilot might argue his opinion was unwise and perhaps a little unfair. Removal from active service and imminent demise does not seem a punishment and Courtney in the UK giving the same opinions would not solve the problem.

K

josquin · 9 August 2022, 07:18 AM

Capt Francis Thomas Courtney (RFC 2891 Sgt Pilot & RFC/RAF T/Lt & Capt)

Born 6 August 1894, at St Anne Soho, Westminster, Middlesex, Courtney qualified for RAeC Certificate 874 (20 August 1914, at the Grahame-White School, Hendon);
attested in 1915; his civilian occupation was "fitter & aviator"; embarked to EF 18 September 1915, was posted as a Sgt Pilot to 20 Sqn 20 Sept. 1915, wia in France 21 October 1915, was appointed T/2Lt & F.O. 28 March 1916, and was posted to 45 Sqn 23 November 1916, to 70 Sqn 13 March 1917, appointed T/Capt & Flt Cdr 14 March 1917, and again to 45 Sqn 16 March 1917. It is recorded that he reverted (the RFC wording) to the rank of T/Lt from the rank of Flt Cdr, dated 7 July 1917, so that appears to be a demotion from my vantage. Courtney was a postwar RAF serving officer, confirmed in rank as a Flying Officer dated 20 October 1923 and serving at least until 1928. A Francis T. Courtney died in Middlesex in 1961, with an 1894 birthdate; possibly the same man.

Josquin

Graeme · 9 August 2022, 08:35 AM

Hi Keith

It solved the problem inasmuch as it prevented the potential spread of discontent in a front-line squadron. Being posted to HE was as much being put on notice as demotion would have been and his subsequent reversion to the rank of Temporary Lieutenant was, if you like, the punishment [I have no proof for it, but perhaps as a result of him continuing to espouse anti-Strutter sentiments].

The episode puts me in mind of events in September 1917, when Acting Squadron Commander Ronald Redpath advised Lieutenant-Colonel Holt, the OC 22 Wing, 5 Brigade, that his pilots 'weren't for it' ('it' being a repeat of the bombing attack on Rumbeke aerodrome). The squadron was moved to a 'quiet' sector and Redpath remained in command of the squadron until Squadron Commander Bertram Bell was fit enough to return to duty but was then transferred out and held various administrative posts at Cranwell and Redcar until the end of the war, ultimately taking command of No 209 Squadron on 18 November 1918.

Unless Webb-Bowen committed his version of events to print, I doubt we'll ever know the full story.

Graeme

spad · 30 October 2022, 06:46 AM

A possible mistake in the records?

embarked to EF 18 September 1915, was posted as a Sgt Pilot to 20 Sqn 20 Sept. 1915, wia in France 21 October 1915,

Although formed on 1 September 1915, according to my sources 20 Squadron did not go to France until 16 January 1916.

I have Courtney with 3 Squadron RFC when he is wounded. I don't have "Flying Fury" any longer but for some reason I believe Courtney is mentioned.... although I am getting a bit addled and apologise in advance

spad · 30 October 2022, 07:04 AM

My source...

https://www.a-e-g.org.uk/frank-t-courtney.html

spad · 30 October 2022, 07:25 AM

The question now is when did 2/Lt Courtney join 20 Squadron? As we seen he was in hospital until January 1916 and there followed a period of convalescence and test pilot work.

Sgt JB McCudden joined 20 Squadron in July 1916, therefore he would have briefly been a fellow pilot with Courtney perhaps? Courtney as an ex-NCO now an officer and McCudden as an NCO.

K