Caribbean Airmen killed serving with The Royal
Flying Corps / Royal Air Force in World War 1
This List contains 22 names - updated: 28/09/09
BAILEY, HUGH COURTENAY Initials: H C Nationality: Barbados Rank: Flight Cadet Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Unit Text: 2125th Training Depot Station Age: 24 Date of Death: 30/10/1918 Additional information: Son of William Henry and Isabella Bailey (nee Browne). Formerly served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force with 38th Bn., P.P.C.L.I., Engineers, and Army Medical Corps. Born at Barbados, British West Indies. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 19. Cemetery: VENDOME TOWN CEMETERY, France. Formerly served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force with 38th Bn., P.P.C.L.I., Engineers, and Army Medical Corps.
BELL Initials: C C M Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Second Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Date of Death: 16/08/1918 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: O. New. NC. 9. Cemetery: HALEWOOD (ST. NICHOLAS) CHURCHYARD, UK. Commemorated on Port of Spain Cenotaph
BONYUN, FRANK VERNON Initials: F V Nationality: Trinidad Rank: Second Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps Unit Text: 32nd Sqdn. Age: 18 Date of Death: 02/01/1918 Additional information: Native of Trinidad, British West Indies. Son of William Austin Bonyun and Ida Bonyun, of "Hummers Knott," Ashfield Road, Chelston, Torquay. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: IX. B. 13. Cemetery: MENDINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY, Belgium. Born at San Fernando. Educated at the Boys High School, Croydon; matriculated at the London University in Jan 1917 and on attaining the age of 18 he joined the Army, received a commission in the RFC (Low Flying Sqn) in August as 2nd Lt. KIA on 2 Dec 1917. S/O of WA Bonyun of San Fernando. FYB1919 Commemorated on Port of Spain Cenotaph. Click on surname for photo.
BROWNE, GEORGE EDWIN Initials: G E Nationality: Jamaica Rank: Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps Unit Text: 8th Sqdn. Age: 27 Date of Death: 21/01/1918 Additional information: Son of Edwin James and Marianne Browne, of 21, Tower St., Kingston, Jamaica, British West Indies. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. G. 25. Cemetery: TINCOURT NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, France
CAVE, CLEMENT FORTE Initials: C F Nationality: Barbados/Trinidad Rank: Second Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Unit Text: 108th Sqdn. Age: 24 Date of Death: 22/10/1918 Additional information: Son of Clement Francis and Mildred Beatrice Cave, of Culloden View, Beckles Rd., St. Michael, Barbados, British West Indies. Born at Trinidad. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: D. 6. Cemetery: INGOYGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY, Belgium. Commemorated on Port of Spain Cenotaph
D'ADE Initials: E R Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Airman 1st Class Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps Unit Text: South African Sqdn. Date of Death: 24/01/1917 Service No: 9832 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: VII. A. 4. Cemetery: MOROGORO CEMETERY, Tanzania. In South Africa when war broke out and enlisted at once. Was 1st Air mechanic, RFC. Died as the result of a chemical explosion, while making high explosives for the army at east Africa, 13/2/1917. FYB1919 Commemorated on Port of Spain Cenotaph. Click on surname for photo.
DALY, JOHN ALBERT EDWARD Initials: J A E Nationality: Jamaica Rank: Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Unit Text: 24th Sqdn. Age: 20 Date of Death: 08/07/1918 Awards: D F C Additional information: Adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. George Edward Daly, of Jamaica, British West Indies. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: A. 10. Cemetery: FIENVILLERS BRITISH CEMETERY, France
GADPAILLE, LOUIS GRANVILLE SURRIDGE Initials: L G S Nationality: Jamaica Rank: Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Unit Text: 88th Sqdn. Age: 25 Date of Death: 18/05/1918 Additional information: Son of Jocelyn and Ella Gadpaille, of Joyce Court, Lady Musgrave Rd., St. Andrew, Jamaica, British West Indies. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Memorial: ARRAS FLYING SERVICES MEMORIAL, France
GODET, LENNOCK DE GRAAFF Initials: L D G Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Unit Text: 55th Sqdn. Age: 21 Date of Death: 01/06/1918 Additional information: Son of Frederick Lennock Godet and Maud Godet, of Hamilton, Bermuda, B.W.I. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: 375. Cemetery: CHAMBIERES FRENCH NATIONAL CEMETERY, METZ, France
HAYNES, CHARLES GRAHAM Initials: C G Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Captain Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Secondary Regiment: King's Royal Rifle Corps Secondary Unit Text: and Age: 24 Date of Death: 23/10/1918 Awards: M C and Bar Additional information: Son of Elizabeth Haynes, of 1, Wilbury Gardens, Hove, and the late J. Haynes. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: At the South end, near the entrance. Cemetery: BOEKHOUTE CHURCHYARD, Belgium. Commemorated on Port of Spain Cenotaph
JOHNSON, FRANK LAWRENCE Initials: F L Nationality: Barbados Rank: Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps Unit Text: 22nd Sqdn. Secondary Regiment: British West Indies Regiment Secondary Unit Text: and Age: 19 Date of Death: 06/09/1917 Additional information: Son of Frank Hart Johnson and Louise Johnson, of Barbados, British West Indies. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 24. Cemetery: ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt. Commemorated on the World War 1 Memorial, Roseau, Dominica.
KING, BERRY Initials: B Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps Unit Text: 25th Sqdn Secondary Regiment: King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Secondary Unit Text: and 6th Bn. Age: 26 Date of Death: 03/05/1917 Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. O'Reilly King, of 85, Barry St., Kingston, Jamaica, B.W.I. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. E. 6. Cemetery: LAPUGNOY MILITARY CEMETERY, France.
KNAGGS, KENNETH JOHN Initials: K J Nationality: Trinidad Rank: Second Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps Unit Text: 56th Sqdn. Secondary Regiment: Royal Warwickshire Regiment Secondary Unit Text: and 4th Bn. Age: 21 Date of Death: 16/03/1918 Additional information: Son of Sir S. W. Knaggs, K.C.M.G., of Trinidad, British West Indies, and Lady Knaggs. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: North side. Cemetery: ARLEUX-DU-NORD COMMUNAL CEMETERY, France. Born in Trinidad. Educated at Ridways (Birmingham), Tonbridge, and Birmingham University where he was a keen and active member of the OTC. Shortly after the outbreak of war he joined the Army, obtaining a commission in the 4th Batt., Royal Warwickshire Regt.. After a few months training he secured a transfer to the RFC, and was ultimately to join the famous "Ball's Sqn" with which he was flying when Capt ball was killed. "Jack" knaggs showed all that daring and indifference to danger which made Ball the airman he was and he was considered one of the most intrepid and experienced aviators. On Mar 16th, 1918, his fatal day, he had done extraordinarily well in a fight with enemy scouts and was gallantly attacking a 2-seater when his machine, being hit in a vital spot, was seen to crumple up and fall to earth. FYB1919. Commemorated on Port of Spain Cenotaph. Click on surname for photo.
KNOWLES, AURTHUR RALPH Initials: A R Nationality: Bahamas Rank: Second Lieutenant (Pilot) Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Unit Text: 11th Sqdn. Age: 24 Date of Death: 02/04/1918 Additional information: Son of J. J. Watson Knowles and Adelaide Knowles, of Eleuthera, Bahamas, British West Indies. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: I. E. 9. Cemetery: PERONNE ROAD CEMETERY, MARICOURT, France
MILLER, WILLIAM JOSEPH SCHOENER Initials: W J Nationality: Trinidad Rank: Second Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Unit Text: 24th Sqdn. Date of Death: 17/09/1918 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Memorial: ARRAS FLYING SERVICES MEMORIAL, France. Born in Trinidad 24 Nov 1895. Educated at CIC and at St Augustines, Ramsgate, England. Left Trinidad with the 1st Merchants Contingent, 18 Oct 1915, ex R.M.S.. "Danube". Joined the RFC as 2nd Lt. KIA at Fresnoy le Petit, France on 17 Sep 1918. "Was on air patrol duty with others and was suddenly surprised by a hun scout, who must have wounded him, as they noticed his manoeuvres peculiar, and his machine got fuddled, though he tried to come low down to his lines, but suddenly a south-westerly wind took him right away and nothing more was heard or seen of him..." From an apparently reliable source information has been received by the authorities that Lt Miller has been reported as having been buried near Fresnoy le Petit, France. FYB1919 Commemorated on Port of Spain Cenotaph. Click on surname for photo.
MILLS, JOHN MCFARLANE DENHOLM Initials: J M D Nationality: Jamaica Rank: Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Unit Text: 111th Sqdn. (5th Wing) Age: 22 Date of Death: 22/06/1919 Awards: A F C, Mentioned in Despatches Additional information: Son of David and Margaret Mills, of Retirement, Montego Bay, Jamaica, British West Indies. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: EE. 39. Cemetery: RAMLEH WAR CEMETERY, Israel
PROUDFOOT, CYRIL DALLAS Initials: C D Nationality: St Vincent Rank: Second Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Secondary Regiment: South Nottinghamshire Hussars Secondary Unit Text: and Age: 24 Date of Death: 22/04/1918 Additional information: Son of W. C. and Amy M. Proudfoot, of Kingstown, British West Indies. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: II. B. 10. Cemetery: BAC-DU-SUD BRITISH CEMETERY, BAILLEULVAL, France
R
ROXBURGH, ALAN CAMERON Initials: A C Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps Secondary Regiment: Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers) Secondary Unit Text: and Age: 26 Date of Death: 28/11/1917 Additional information: Son of Adam and Adele Roxburgh, of Walkers Wood, Jamaica, B.W.I. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 15. Cemetery: RAMLEH WAR CEMETERY, Israel.
SCUDAMORE Initials: W S K Nationality: Jamaica Rank: Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Unit Text: 208th Sqdn. Age: 18 Date of Death: 18/07/1918 Additional information: Son of Mr. C. E. and Evelina Scudamore, of Montpelier, Jamaica, British West Indies. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Sp. Mem. 1. Cemetery: ANZAC CEMETERY, SAILLY-SUR-LA-LYS, France. Commemorated on St Dunstan's Chapel, Jamaica College Campus, Jamaica
SHEPHERD, ARTHUR LINDSAY MOORE Initials: A L M Nationality: Antigua Rank: Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps Unit Text: 11th Sqdn. Secondary Regiment: King's Royal Rifle Corps Secondary Unit Text: and 6th Bn. Age: 25 Date of Death: 03/11/1916 Additional information: Son of the Very Rev. Henry Young Shepherd, Dean of Antigua, and Amy Louise Shepherd, of The Deanery, Antigua, British West Indies. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. G. 13. Cemetery: BROWN'S COPSE CEMETERY, ROEUX, France
STOCKHAUSEN, IVAN LANCELOT Initials: I L Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps Unit Text: 17th Sqdn. Secondary Regiment: British West Indies Regiment Secondary Unit Text: and Age: 27 Date of Death: 03/10/1917 Additional information: First born Son of John and Miriam Stockhausen, of Stewart Town, Trelawney, Jamaica, B.W.I. Joined up in 1915,aged 25.He arrived in England as part of the B W I Regiment,and was gazetted 2nd Lt in December 1915.He became attached to the RFC No 17 Squadron in November 1916. Gazetted Flying Officer March 7th 1917,Gazetted Lieutenant (BWI Regiment and RFC) July 1st 1917.Killed in aerial combat in Salonika Greece,October 3rd 1917. COLONIAL - CASUALTY CARD--124152/2 19.10.17. 2ND BTN BWI-RFC STOCKHAUSEN,LT I.L. AT TIME ACCIDENT:- PILOT. DATE REPORT RECD...REF NBR :---24.11.17 87/9926 22.10.17 REPORT OF DEATH:- 124152/2 19.10.17. DATE OF CASUALTY:- 3.10.17. WHERE OCCURRED:- MACEDONIA--OVER ENEMY LINES NEAR SERES. TYPE MACHINE:- BE 2 E. NATURE/CAUSE OF ACCIDENT:- COMBAT. RESULT OF ACCIDENT:- MISSING CORRECTED TO KILLED. NAME OF OTHER OCCUPANT OF MACHINE:- 2/LT C.WATSON..KILLED. REMARKS:-121/8625...MESSAGE DROPPED BY GERMANS. Source & photo: H I Stockhausen. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: VII. B. 9. Cemetery: STRUMA MILITARY CEMETERY, Greece.
THOMAS, GODFREY MAIN Initials: G M Nationality: Jamaica Rank: Flight Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Unit Text: H.M. Airship R.38. Age: 25 Date of Death: 24/08/1921 Awards: D F C Additional information: Godfrey Main Thomas, born in Jamaica B.W.I on10th Sep, 1895. He was the youngest of the brothers to start his military service at the end of WW-1as a Midshipman on the H.M.S. Colossus, in the first Battle Squadron. He was awarded the King’s Medal & Dirk. His Squadron was transferred to the Royal Navy’s Air Service; until the formation of the R.A.F in 1918. He went on to be a Flight Lieutenant, and died on 24th Aug, 1921 at 5pm aboard the Airship R-38 when it exploded over Hull UK and was awarded the D.F.C. along with 44 other airmen who died. Son of Herbert T. Thomas (Inspector of Constabulary, C.P., Jamaica), and Gertrude Thomas (nee) Nunes. Brothers: Harry Reid Thomas, RGA- killed 25/12/1915; Francis Hastings Thomas, RMLI - killed 15/08/1916; Arthur Crichton Thomas, RGA, killed 16/11/17. Herbert Prichard Thomas, Indian Army and a sister Marjorie Elaine Thomas. Son of Mr. T. Thomas, of Savanna-la-Mar, Jamaica, British West Indies. Sources: Gerald A. Archambeau- The author, of “A Struggle to Walk with Dignity-the TRUE Story of a Jamaican-born Canadian” & Alan Greverson. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial R eference: "R.38." Memorial. Cemetery: HULL WESTERN CEMETERY
Sources: Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Franklins Yearbook 1919