216 Squadron - 1919 - Lt. Sullivan and Lt. Westall
 

On 29 March 1919 a British aircraft carrying mail to Cologne crashed at Vaals, Netherlands, which is on the three border point NL-BE-D/GE.
The RAF had a postal run between Folkestone and Cologne in those days.
Dutch newspapers report that one pilot later died in a hospital due to sustained injuries.

The Terlincthun Cemetery at Boulogne has two casuallties of 216 Squadron with a reference that they died in a postal flight. They are Lt Frank Sullivan (date of death 29-03-1919) and Lt. Arthur Arthur Westall (30-03-1919).

Were these lieutenants victims of the crash at Vaals and if not, then who was?

Thanks for any info.

Regards,

Leendert

Re: 216 Squadron - 1919 - Lt. Sullivan and Lt. Westall
 

Leendart

If you don't mind investing £6.95 for a Pay as You Go on
findmypast.co.uk you will be able to download there service records which MAY provide clues to their deaths


Both appear to be commissioned from enlisted to Officers, so there are both enlisted men and Officer Files, though Officer Files may provide the detail you require

http://search.findmypast.co.uk/resul...me=sullivan%20

Sullivan Frank Harrington — — 1912-20 British Royal Air Force, Officers' Service Records 1912-1920 —


http://search.findmypast.co.uk/resul...tname=sullivan

Frank Harrington Sullivan 1898 — 1917 152777 Misc Aviator Cadet (Student)




http://search.findmypast.co.uk/resul...ame=westall%20

Westall Arthur 1889 — 1912-20 British Royal Air Force, Officers' Service Records 1912-1920 —

Westall Arthur 1900 — 1912-20 British Royal Air Force, Officers' Service Records 1912-1920 —


Results for British Royal Air Force, Airmen's Service Records 1912-1939

Arthur Westall 1900 Middlesex 1918 149706 Engineer


Also CWGC now has Scanned Grave Registration Documents

It mentioned for Harrington that he died while on postal duties and he was from USA

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/ca...K%20HARRINGTON

Westall has 'Killed in Action' ?

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/ca...TALL,%20ARTHUR



Paul

Re: 216 Squadron - 1919 - Lt. Sullivan and Lt. Westall
 

Paul,

Thanks for the leads.

In a Brooklyn, NY, newspaper Lt Sullivan is said to have crashed ''in France".
To add to the confusion, I also found another newpaper article mentioning a fatal crash of a mail plane at/near Dinant, Belgium on/just before 29 March 1919. Killed pilot was a "Canadian lieutenant...."

These weren't the happies times for the mail couriers. On 27 March 1919 Lt William Hutton of 110 Squadron is also recorded to have died in a crash while on a postal flight.

Indeed, the CWGC has added valuable information to its website!

Regards,

Leendert

Re: 216 Squadron - 1919 - Lt. Sullivan and Lt. Westall
 

on his Casualty Card visible online the Aircraft Serial that Sullivan died in was HP "D8807" As this was an Avro 505K Serial I think should be D8307

Westall died 30th later as a result of injuries received in flying accident which looks like occurred on 29th

The Incident Card has the crew of HP "D8807" as 2 Lt L H Sullivan (Pilot), 2nd Lt A Westall (Observer) and AC1 G W Tucknott #227228 Injured and location as 'France'

All 216 Sqn

See for yourself

http://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.u.../raf_vault.php

Re: 216 Squadron - 1919 - Lt. Sullivan and Lt. Westall
 

Paul,

Right now I'm pretty far with getting a picture of the RAF crew that were killed or injured due to crashes in Belgium while on postal flights from England to Cologne between March and August 1919. These mail runs were mostly with DH-9's.

With the info you've now given me, I think we can rule these men out.

Thanks for pointing me to the RAF vault website, it will sure help to clarify things in my little searches!

Regards,

Leendert

Re: 216 Squadron - 1919 - Lt. Sullivan and Lt. Westall
 

Leendert

Not sure if this helps, but 2/Lt Frank H Sullivan was killed in Handley Page O/400 B8807 (not D8807 as stated on his causalty card) on 29.3.1919 when he crashed into trees during take off from Forques, nr Marquise. His two crew were both injured.

216 Sq and their HP bombers flew many postal flights to Cologne during the period you are interested in.

B Rgds
Stig

Re: 216 Squadron - 1919 - Lt. Sullivan and Lt. Westall
 

Thanks for all additional info.

As of now I've identified as killed airmail couriers in Belgium:

6.3.1919 Lt F. Thornton + and Lt. P. Burnay + 57 Squadron at Spa (La Reid)
20.3.1919 Lt. A Smith + 57 Squadron near Senenne (NE of Dinant)
27.3.1919 Lt. W.. Hutton + 110 Squadron. Vaals, Netherlands?
27.3.1919 Capt. R. Minors + 18 Squadron at Profondeville, DH9A E9715
8.6.1919 Lt. G. Bannerman + and Lt. W. Wilson +, 110 Squadron at Floreffe (Jodion-Soye).

The March accidents were mainly due to fog and snow.

I still have to look at the cards of some men at the Cologne Southern Cemetery.

Regards,

Leendert

Re: 216 Squadron - 1919 - Lt. Sullivan and Lt. Westall
 

08/06/1919 I have this aircraft of 110Sqn as DH.9A E9898.

Re: 216 Squadron - 1919 - Lt. Sullivan and Lt. Westall
 

27.3.1919 Lt. W.. Hutton + 110 Squadron. Vaals, Netherlands?

I have this as WDC Hutton on 28.3.1919

Re: 216 Squadron - 1919 - Lt. Sullivan and Lt. Westall
 

Paul,

Thanks for keeping an eye on the somewhat confusing dates for Lt. Hutton.

CWGC says 27.3.1919, Casualty Cards say both 27.3.1919 and 28.3.1919 while Grave Registration Documents have 29.3.1919 as date of death.....

Dutch newspapers of that time say that the airman was seriously injured (27.3.1919?) and later died in a hospital (at Heerlen, 28.3.1919?), still assuming that the Vaals accident was with Lt. Hutton.
Co-occupant of the DH-9A is not mentioned on his casualty cards.

Regards,

Leendert