I wonder if anyone can tell me what Airmen Died has to say about Captain Roderic M Williams of the 32nd Squadron, Royal Flying Corps who died 12/8/1917 and is on the Arras Flying ServicesMemorial

TIA

Hywyn

Hywyn


Williams, Roderic Mathafarn, 32 sqn, pilot (2/R Welsh Fus.) native of Bangor, Carnarvon, Age 23. Kia 12/08/17. NKG
listed on Arras Memorial France.

john_g

www.66squadron.co.uk

Hywyn

Capt R M Williams was flying DH 5 A9398 at the time of his death.

Gareth

Thank you both.

I'm trying to work out what NKG means. Doesn't Airmen died state how killed, eg shot down by anti aircraft etc or is that some other resource?



Hywyn

hywyn,
Roderick Mathafarn Williams (born 1894) is an Anglesey casualty too! Addresses "Lleiniog" and "Bryn Celyn" (Llangoed, and he is on the parish memorials there & for the Bangor Arch); but he also had connections with Bangor, late father's address "Pen-Bre" (is this Pendre?). Furthermore, his mother was later at Trenton Lodge, Stoney Gate Road, Leicester. Airmen Died states "native of Bangor".

Ex-University College Wales, Aberystwyth where he served in the OTC in 1912 ( their Roll of Honour states living Liverpool). Enlisted 13th RWF 1914, later commissioned. Unit may be 2nd Garrison Battalion RWF attached RFC The Sky Their Battlefield states missing, possibly shot down in the Houthulst/Poelcappelle area, aged 23.

LST_164

Thanks Clive.

You will obviously be aware of his entry on the Cathedral Memorial and probably the R M Williams on the main memorial at bangor then.


hywyn

NKG = No Known Grave

Ah yes, of course.

Thanks Adrian



hywyn

Hywyn

Sorry for not putting this in my previous post, but I was on the run at the time.

Capt Williams left Droglandt aerodrome on a Ground Patrol at 16:00 and was last seen at 17:20 at 5000 feet over Houthulst. Ltn Julius Schmidt of Jasta 3 was credited with a 'Sopwith' near Poelcappelle at 16:10 [German time] 17:10 [Allied time]; it was the 11th of his eventual 15 victories.

Gareth

Thanks Gareth. Appreciated.


Hywyn

Captain R M Williams of 32 squadron also gets a mention in the Royal Flying Corps Communiques 1917-18 for the 8th August 1917, just 4 days before his death. It is reported that he attacked two Albatros scouts and drove one of them down, out of control.

Regards
Steve

Great Steve and thanks.

All adds to a picture of his service.

Hywyn

And a quick addition, Hywyn...........Schmidt survived the war only to die on July 2 1944! There seems to be no record of where he was from.

Trebrys.

Diolch Iwan

With a name like that defo not from Wales!!

Hywyn