My most prized possesion

[Aces_sim123]

Hi chaps, thought I'd share this with you,

Probably my proudest and most prized possession. My late grandfather's Royal Flying Corps patches from the First World War. His two RFC insignia, his observer/radio operator badge and the ribbon from his civilian long service medal, he worked for many years for the old G.P.O telephones He served in Bristol B.E.2's as a radio operator/observer and was involved right at the end of the war in the very first infantile radio navigation experiments in Handley Page bombers. No surprise that I've always been interested in military aviation really

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Aircraft_Factory_B.E.2

27082

Cheers

Aces

[ATAG_Vampire]

Hello Aces!

This is really interesting thanks for sharing it with us. :thumbsup:

o7 :salute:

[Aces_sim123]

Hi mate,

He also worked for the G.P.O at S.H.A.E.F (Supreme Headquarter Allied Expiditionary Force based in Bushy Park where they planned D.Day in the Second World War and met General Eisenhower. I have his U.S forces pass to get get onto the base. He was also in the Home Guard in WW2 as he had a "reserved occupation" working for the G.P.O.

Cheers

Aces s!

[ATAG_Torian]

Now there is some history. I can well understand ur attachment Aces.
The B.E.2 (nicknamed the "quirk") was a stable aircraft but slow and lumbering and was shot down in hideous numbers and largely responsible for padding the stats of many German WW1 aces.
U can't help but admire those RFC boys who nonetheless flew into enemy territory in aircraft like that with no parachutes and, at some stages during WW1, had an average life expectancy of 2 weeks.
A salute to the memory of your grandfather sir and many thx for sharing it.

[ATAG_Marlow]

Hi chaps, thought I'd share this with you,

Probably my proudest and most prized possession. My late grandfather's Royal Flying Corps patches from the First World War. His two RFC insignia, his observer/radio operator badge and the ribbon from his civilian long service medal, he worked for many years for the old G.P.O telephones He served in Bristol B.E.2's as a radio operator/observer and was involved right at the end of the war in the very first infantile radio navigation experiments in Handley Page bombers. No surprise that I've always been interested in military aviation really

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Aircraft_Factory_B.E.2

27082

Cheers

Aces

What is it they say: 'Cometh the hour, cometh the man?' Your Grand father was obviously quite a Man, Ace (Capital letter fully intended) and hats off to him. I agree with Torian that flying those lumbering BE.2's took guts, especially when flying as Observer and placing your life in the hands of another.

My Grandfather went over the top on July 1st, 1916 during that first terrible morning of The Battle of the Somme. He was lucky enough to survive but came home with a Blighty, shrapnel wounds and shell shock. he was never the same man again. I still have his Yatagan bayonette and a pair of officer's binoculars and keep them carefully.

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjcvYWD48vSAhWDzxQKHUHHAkgQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.milsurps.com%2Fshowthread.ph p%3Ft%3D19573&bvm=bv.149093890,d.ZGg&psig=AFQjCNH7SlQ2ZUMql4JDniBj9kR-F_RZRg&ust=1489229664491553

The above might get you a picture of the type of bayonette, I have. Then again..it might not! LOL! One of these days I'll finally sort this....'how to post pics on the Forum' marlarky!

Special stuff, Ace! Thanks for sharing! Salute! :thumbsup:

[Aces_sim123]

Hi chaps,

Thanks for your kind comments. They were all very brave men, I remember going to the RAF Museum in Hendon many many years ago and standing in front of a B.E.2 and thingkng to myself how fragile and flimsy it looked. He never really talked that much about his wartime experiences as I guess many did but he did have a few stories and I remember one in particular. When he was based in the UK doing his training he was courting my late grandmother. He occassionally used to "borrow" a bicycle and pedal qjuite a few miles home from the airfield so that he could see her over the weekend and back in time for the Monday. A very risky business as technically he was A.W.O.L and would have been in very serious trouble if found out, such is the power of love :).

Cheers

Aces

[SD_MBen]

Hi chaps, thought I'd share this with you,

Probably my proudest and most prized possession. My late grandfather's Royal Flying Corps patches from the First World War. His two RFC insignia, his observer/radio operator badge and the ribbon from his civilian long service medal, he worked for many years for the old G.P.O telephones He served in Bristol B.E.2's as a radio operator/observer and was involved right at the end of the war in the very first infantile radio navigation experiments in Handley Page bombers. No surprise that I've always been interested in military aviation really

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Aircraft_Factory_B.E.2

27082

Cheers

Aces

Well up!
The true hero's of the 20th Centaury!