Remembrance Sunday

A pre-post for remembrance Sunday which I'm hoping to spend at the Stafford Memorial, no one likes war, but some had no choice.

Book/Gallery Launch - War, Art & Surgery

On the 14th of October I was lucky enough to be invited to the Royal College of Surgeons - Huntarian Museum for the launch of War, Art and Surgery galley and book showing 70+ Henry Tonks drawings of WW1 injuries which were treated under Harold Gillies and more modern drawings which Julia Midgley had done of injuries suffered in Iraq and Afghanistan . The event was attended by surgeons and consultants from around Europe, Dr Bamji who compiled the Gillies Archive and helped me discover my Great Grandfathers Archive there and family members of Gillies patients. It was a wonderful, yet emotion evening which really drove home the important work that Gillies did for the patients and modern surgery, but also the sacrifice these young men made.

Stone Centenary Service

We had the pleasure of attending the "Service to commemorate the Marching of the Stone men to the fighting of the great war" on the 3rd of August. This was an excellent service split into two sections, firstly a reading of all the Stone men who died during the great war - followed by the last post played on a bugle which was on the western front during the great the war. The second was an unveiling of Stone's centenary plaque to honour those men who went to war. Great event attended by local historians, British legion members, local councilors and families of those who died. 

RAF museums DH.9

The RAF London's DH.9 I payed a visit too - what Walter Goffe flew is his last days of WW1

Rare 98th Squadron Photo - Royal Flying Corps

Here is a scan which had been hanging on my grandfathers wall showing what I believe to be the 98th Squadron which his father (2/LT Walter Scott Goffe) flew in.

A fantastic photo showing all the squadron, its believed this could have been taken before being deployed to France - or shortly after they arrived.

The 20 Minuters Photo Opportunity

There's always time for a photo opportunity in war, here prepping a fighter for takeoff.

Super Handley Page Engine Room

An excellent photo of the Super Handley Page engine room!

Airfield Friends

Harry C - Posing for a photo next to a fighter at the aerodrome

All aboard! - The aircraft depot trucks

Harry & Friends

Harry & Friends

Super Handley Page

Super Handley Page - having a few checks & service

Baby Handley Page

Baby Handley Page - Harry Cock labeled as "me"!

From the collection

Air Crew of the 25th sqdn

Lt W Goffe & 2 other RFC/RAF Pilots

Lt W S Goffe with 2 unnamed Royal Flying Corp/RAF personal, taken after his injuries from the First World War. 

25th Hawking sqn Royal Flying Corps

Friends of the 25th sqn posing around a plane ready for combat

Air Mechanics

Another great shot of Harry and friends with a couple of engines from the 25th Hawking Sqn

Harry fixes the Handley Page

Here's a first of several photos I have of Harry from the 25th Royal Flying Corps. Here preparing a Handley Page for flight, not an easy task considering the aircrafts size even compared to some of the latter world war two bombers!

Harry - 25th Sqn Air Mechanic's of the Royal Flying Corp

Harry is from the 25th Sqn "Hawkings" Air Mechanics of the Royal Flying Corps, who turns out to be another relative of mine. Harry worked for the 25th Sqn repairing war battered aircraft including Snipes, DH.4's and the impressive Handley Page. Thanks to a family member we have around 20 photos of him from the Great War.

Handley Page - Monsters of the Air

Handley Page WW1 bomber, great shot taken from the front.

98th squadron of the Royal Flying Corps

98th Squadron were one of fearless bomber squadrons of the Royal Flying Corps, originally formed from a training squadron they delivered bombing raids on German lines and supplies. My Great Grandfather Lt W Goffe was one of their pilots with his rear gunner/observer Sgt May.

Undated and untitled photo of the 98th squadron of the Royal Flying Corps, I presume taken during the early part of formation. Thanks to RAF Jever http://www.rafjever.org/