Adrian Brown

Discussion in 'World War 1' started by liverpool annie, Sep 17, 2009.

  1. liverpool annie

    liverpool annie New Member

    Son of Captain Charles R Brown RAF, director of Messrs Brown and Co
    Captain, 46 Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Killed in accident, Wednesday 15 January 1919 at the Aircraft Acceptance Park, near Alexandra Park, Manchester, Aged 24
    Manchester Southern Cemetery Grave G/RC/39

    Accomplished and brave pilot, much praised by Squadron Officer. Commissioned in the RFC in 1916 and showed himself to be “clever and fearless”. After a serious crash in 1917 he recuperated and was assigned to ferrying planes over to France, returning to active service in May 1918. Took part in bombing and reconnaissance operations over Cambrai and St Quentin, and was shot through the thigh while in flight over the trenches in November 1918.

    PCCM says that the accident happened when Brown was testing a new Bristol two seater fighter. Instead of taking ballast he took a passenger, soldier of the KORL regiment, recovering in a local hospital. After a good take-off the plane had travelled 200 yards at 100 feet in height when a left turn changed to a spin and the aircraft crashed and burst into flames. The two men’s spines were broken and therefore they were killed outright. LDP (16 January 1919) says the passenger was Pte Cafferty MM of the KORL, native of Lancaster who left a widow and a son. He was recovering from war injuries at Nell Lane Military Hospital, had been wounded twice before and awarded the MM for capturing a machine gun in September 1918. The plane sideslipped, crashed and burst into flames. Both men were enveloped in a sheet of flame. The debris continued to burn for two hours and rescue was therefore impossible.

    Preston Catholic College

    In Memory of
    Private C J CAFFERTY
    M M
    24774, 1st/4th Bn., King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
    who died age 31
    on 15 January 1919
    Husband of Mrs. E Cafferty, of 18, Wyresdale Rd., Lancaster.

    Remembered with honour
    LANCASTER CEMETERY, Lancashire
     

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