CAPTAIN R. M. PIKE Royal Flying Corps The Head Master's oo'-oi'( ? ) Aged 28 August 9th, 1915 Second and youngest son of Robert Lecky Pike, D.L., of Kilnock, Tullow, Co. Carlow, and of Mrs. Pike. Captain Pike entered the Royal Navy in 1903, but, owing to an accident, which left him with a stiff knee for life, was invalided out three years later. At the beginning of the War, in September, 19 14, he joined the Royal Flying Corps, took his pilot's certificate after a month's training and quickly became an expert airman. He remained in England until the end of January, 1915, when he went to the Front. Three months later he was promoted Flight-Commander and temporary Captain. He was killed on August 9th, 1915, flying a De Haviland Scout, fighting two German aeroplanes single-handed near Hooge. He defeated one of the enemy machines, but whether he was shot down by the other or by shell-fire from below is not known. He fell in the German lines and died almost immediately. A German message was picked up in our lines saying that he had died a gallant death and had been buried in a churchyard close by, with full military honours. ROBERT MAXWELL PIKE Full text of "Harrow memorials of the great war : August 23rd, 1914, to March 20th, 1915" Captain Robert Maxwell Pike Service Record Captain Robert Maxwell Pike Captain Robert Maxwell PIKE, nr. 5 Sqn - 'B' Flight from Abeele airfield, was shot down near Eksternest (Zonnebeke) His DH2 had not a single bullet hole, but PIKE was shot in the head. It was the future ace Theo OSTERKAMP, then with II.MFA at Moorsele, who dropped a message near St. Omer, announcing the death of PIKE. PIKE was indeed shot down on 9/8/1915 flying DH2 nr.4732. ........ Theo OSTERKAMP dropping a message is briefly told in his book 'Du oder Ich', Berlin 1938. In Memory of Captain ROBERT MAXWELL PIKE Mentioned in Despatches 5th Sqdn., Royal Flying Corps who died age 29 on 09 August 1915 Son of Robert Lechy Pike, D.L. and Mrs. Lechy Pike, of Kilwork, Tullow, Co. Carlow. Remembered with honour ARRAS FLYING SERVICES MEMORIAL
