Lieutenant Sedgwick, Royal Flying Corps, especially 1915-16

[queencorgi1]

I don't think it can be Tom Bowling Sedgwick (great name) because his RNAS record shows him beginning service in 1918, and the man I want was there as a new pilot in 1916. Also, I think 'my' Sedgwick would have been RFC not RNAS.

HOWEVER Leslie Pope Sedgwick arrived in France 10.3.1916 which is suggestive! I have got the reference for his service record and will check it out when I visit the NA next. Many thanks!

[Andy J2022]

I think softly softly's find is a better fit. Leslie Pope Sedgwick was commissioned into the East Surrey Regt in Sept 1915 and by the time of his marriage in August 1916 he is identified as being in the Royal Flying Corps. Tom Bowling Sedgwick, on the other hand, wasn't commissioned until 1918, so he couldn't have been in Abeele in 1916 as Lt.

In case Lesley Pope Sedgwick is also the wrong man, there is a 2Lt Leo Murray Sedgwick with the Canadian Army who appears to have been attached to the RFC, although this information is based solely on a note on Leslie Pope Sedgwick's RAF record card correcting an incorrect entry.

[queencorgi1]

Thank you! Do you have a link for L.P. Sedgwick's RAF record at TNA? I just got his army service record ref and his medal card.

[queencorgi1]

It's OK, I found it!

[Andy J2022]

HOWEVER Leslie Pope Sedgwick arrived in France 10.3.1916 which is suggestive! I have got the reference for his service record and will check it out when I visit the NA next. Many thanks!

His medal card says he arrived in France 13.3.1916.

He was commissioned into the 4th Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment. That Battalion remained in the UK throughout the war so he must transferred to the RFC by the time he went to France. Indeed his service record says that he joined the RFC School Reading on 8 September 1915. Under that entry is the date 13.3.1916 with no occurrence noted.

[queencorgi1]

I misread the date, you're quite right. Thank you for the point about the 4th East Surreys, that's helpful.

[ShaunJ]

Indeed his service record says that he joined the RFC School Reading on 8 September 1915. Under that entry is the date 13.3.1916 with no occurrence noted.

8 September 1915 was the start date of his army service. LPS was transferred to the RFC school at Reading on 13 March 1916.

Detail from his service record below:

[Andy J2022]

Yes you're right Shaun. The other bit below from his Army record is what led me astray.

[ShaunJ]

The 'other officer' was Eric Lewis Conran, who was commanding the squadron at Abeele.

Which squadron? I've seen mentions of 4 and 6 Squadrons at Abeele.