Great War>The War in the Air

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No. 20 Squadron Royal Flying Corps    No 20 Squadron formed at Netheravon on 1st September 1915 from crew of No. 7 Reserve Squadron. They proceeded to France in January 1916 as the R.F.C.'s first officially designated 'fighter-reconnaissance" squadron, equipped with the ungainly-looking but very strong and reliable F.E.2B design from the Royal Aircraft Factory. These 2-seater fighters were exceptionally light and agile and, with a pusher propeller at the rear and the observer/gunner positioned ahead of the pilot with uninterrupted field of fire, these proved to be one of the more successful early designs. The unit's main role was to carry out deep reconnaissance behind the German lines: photographing and reporting all German army movements, defences and troop dispositions within the patrol area, while simultaneously seeking out and destroying German aircraft and occasionally carrying out bombing raids. As an effective fighter force they were often deployed to protect and keep watch over reconnaissance missions by other squadrons. 1st Jan 1916 Squadron Formed 4th Feb 1916 Aircraft damaged 13rd Feb 1916 Aircraft damaged 29th Feb 1916 Aircraft Lost 9th Mar 1916 Aircraft Lost 9th Mar 1916 Aircraft damaged 16th Mar 1916 Aircraft damaged 18th Mar 1916 Aircraft Lost 18th Mar 1916 Aircraft Attacked 31st Mar 1916 Aircraft damaged 4th Apr 1916 Aircraft damaged 16th Apr 1916 Aircraft damaged 21st Apr 1916 Aircraft damaged 21st Apr 1916 Aircraft damaged 21st Apr 1916 Aircraft damaged 22nd Apr 1916 Aircraft Lost 23rd Apr 1916 Aircraft damaged 29th Apr 1916 Aircraft damaged 29th Apr 1916 Aircraft Lost 29th Apr 1916  10th May 1916 Aircraft damaged 16th May 1916 Aircraft damaged 19th May 1916 Aircraft damaged 21st May 1916 Aircraft Lost 17th Jun 1916 Aircraft damaged 17th Jun 1916 Aircraft damaged 8th Jul 1916 Aircraft damaged 8th Jul 1916 Aircraft damaged 9th Jul 1916 Aircraft damaged 20th Jul 1916 Aircraft damaged 20th Jul 1916 Aircraft damaged 20th Jul 1916 Aircraft damaged 29th July 1916 Raid August 1916 Patrols 6th Aug 1916 Aircraft damaged 8th Aug 1916 Aircraft damaged 10th Aug 1916 Damage to Aircraft 21st Aug 1916 Aircraft damaged 29th Aug 1916 Aircraft damaged 5th Sep 1916 Aircraft damaged 5th Sep 1916 Aircraft damaged 7th Sep 1916 Aircraft damaged 8th Sep 1916 Aircraft damaged 19th Sep 1916 Aircraft damaged 25th Sep 1916 Aircraft damaged 26th Sep 1916 Aircraft damaged 30th Sep 1916 Aircraft damaged 20th Oct 1916 Pilot wounded 20th Oct 1916 Aircraft Lost 5th Nov 1916 Aircraft damaged 16th Nov 1916 Aircraft damaged 27th Dec 1916 Aircraft damaged 28th Dec 1916 Aircraft Lost 18th of March 1917 Field Firing April 1917 In Action 1st June 1917 Superior numbers 7th July 1917 Air forces redeployed August 1917  26th March 1918 German Spring offensive 9th April 1918  If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Want to know more about No. 20 Squadron Royal Flying Corps? There are:60 items tagged No. 20 Squadron Royal Flying Corps available in our Library   These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War. Those known to have served with No. 20 Squadron Royal Flying Corps during the Great War 1914-1918. Hartney . Harold Evans. Hill Charles William. Cpl. (d.30th July 1918) Luchford MC . Harry George Ernest. Cpt. (d.2nd Dec 1917) Mahony-Jones George James. Capt. (d.7th Apr 1917) Malcolm George John. Mjr. (d.9th Jul 1916) Mottershead VC, DCM.. Thomas. Sgt. (d.12th Jan 1917) Moyes William B.. Lt (d.7th Apr 1917) Pilkington John Oscar. Lt. (d.6th Sep 1917) Thomason Stephen. Cpl. All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List Records of No. 20 Squadron Royal Flying Corps from other sources. The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website. 1st of September 2024 marks 25 years since the launch of the Wartime Memories Project. Thanks to everyone who has supported us over this time. Want to find out more about your relative's service? Want to know what life was like during the Great War? Our Library contains many many diary entries, personal letters and other documents, most transcribed into plain text. Looking for help with Family History Research?    Please see Family History FAQ's Please note: We are unable to provide individual research. Can you help? The free to access section of The Wartime Memories Project website is run by volunteers and funded by donations from our visitors. If the information here has been helpful or you have enjoyed reaching the stories please conside making a donation, no matter how small, would be much appreciated, annually we need to raise enough funds to pay for our web hosting or this site will vanish from the web. If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation. Announcements 19th Nov 2024     Please note we currently have a massive backlog of submitted material, our volunteers are working through this as quickly as possible and all names, stories and photos will be added to the site. If you have already submitted a story to the site and your UID reference number is higher than 264989 your submission is still in the queue, please do not resubmit. Wanted: Digital copies of Group photographs, Scrapbooks, Autograph books, photo albums, newspaper clippings, letters, postcards and ephemera relating to the Great War. If you have any unwanted photographs, documents or items from the First or Second World War, please do not destroy them. The Wartime Memories Project will give them a good home and ensure that they are used for educational purposes. Please get in touch for the postal address, do not sent them to our PO Box as packages are not accepted. World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great battalion regiment artillery Did you know? We also have a section on World War Two. and a Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations. 1206401 Sgt. Thomas Mottershead VC, DCM. 20 Sqd. (d.12th Jan 1917) Thomas Mottershead died of wounds on the 12th of January 1917, aged 27. Buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in Bailleul, France, he was the sn of Thomas and Lucy Mottershead, of Widnes; husband of Lilian Medlicott Mottershead, of 31 Lilac Avenue, Widnes, Lancs. An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29937, dated 9th Feb., 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, endurance and skill, when attacked at an altitude of 9,000 feet; the petrol tank was pierced and the machine set on fire. Enveloped in flames, which his Observer, Lt. Gower was unable to subdue, this very gallant soldier succeeded in bringing his aeroplane back to our lines, and though he made a successful landing, the machine collapsed on touching the ground, pinning him beneath wreckage from which he was subsequently rescued. Though suffering extreme torture from burns, Serjt. Mottershead showed the most conspicuous presence of mind in the careful selection of a landing place, and his wonderful endurance and fortitude undoubtedly saved the life of his Observer. He has since succumbed to his injuries." Sergeant Mottershead's Distinguished Conduct Medal citation reveals: One of his first operations was low-level bombing raid on a German anti-aircraft battery which he successfully destroyed. On 22 September, with Second Lieutenant C. Street as observer he bombed the railway station at Samain, destroying one ammunition train and strafing another. While climbing away from the target, their aircraft was attacked by a Fokker scout. Accounts of the engagement indicate that it was Mottershead's skilful manoeuvring which enabled Street to shoot the enemy aircraft down. For this action and other displays of gallantry, Sergeant Mottershead was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and promoted to the rank of Flight Sergeant. s flynn Add to this record. 1205532 Lt William B. Moyes 20 Sqd. (d.7th Apr 1917) Lt Moyes, a former construction engineer from Edinburgh, was killed whilst flying with Capt Mahony-Jones when their aircraft was shot down by Maximilian Muller of Jasta28 on the evening of the 7th of April 1917. The FE2d was brought down over the Front lines whilst returning from the second bombing raid of the day on Mouvaux aerodrome. The allied aircraft came under attack from a formation of Albatros scouts, Mahony-Jones turned back to assist Lt Lawson whose FE2 had been hit. Moyes and Mahony-Jones engaged the enemy allowing Lawson to land behind the British Lines. Lt W.B.Moyes and his pilot were laid to rest in a German cemetery, after the war they were transferred to the CWGC cemetery at Bailleul. Moyes had served in the ranks of the 9th and 6th Battalions of the Royal Scots before gaining a commission in the RFC, he was 24 years old. Add to this record. 1205531 Capt. George James Mahony-Jones 20 Sqd. (d.7th Apr 1917) Capt Mahony-Jones was shot down by Maximilian Muller of Jasta28 on the evening of the 7th of April 1917. His FE2d was brought down over the Front lines whilst returning from the second bombing raid of the day on Mouvaux aerodrome. Mahony-Jones lead eight FE2's each dropping two 112 pound bombs over the target, causing damage to at least two hangers. As the formation was crossing the Front lines, it was attached by a formation of Albatros Scouts, Lt Lawson's aircraft had been hit and was under attack from all sides, Mahony-Jones turned his aircraft and challenged the enemy, allowing Lawson to make an emergency landing behind the British Lines. The battle was watched from the ground by the men of the 34th Battalion AIF, their adjutant wrote to RFC HQ the following day: To the Commandant, RFC Bailleul, 8th April 1917. "The C.O. 34th battalion AIF has asked me to express a deep sense of admiration which was inspired by the gallant flying of an airman, apparently belonging to a Squadron under your command. About 6 pm on the evening of the 7th instant, two of our planes were engaged with nine of the enemy's. One plane was damaged and the other, although retreat looked possible turned and fought. Several of the enemy's planes scattered but unfortunately our plane was hit and immediately burst into flames. The scene was witnessed by the men of the Battalion from the trenches and the conspired bravery was much spoken of by them and the gallantry is sure to foster a spirit of emulation for our men to strive hard on their parts, to act in the same heroic and self sacrificing manner as this gallant airman. The true bravery of your very fine Corps was thus strikingly brought home to our men." Adj. 34th Battn. Mahony-Jones and his gunner 2nd Lt W.B.Moyes were laid to rest in a German cemetery, after the war they were transferred to the CWGC cemetery at Bailleul. Add to this record. 262528 Mjr. George John "Chummy" Malcolm 20th Squadron Royal Flying Corps (d.9th Jul 1916) George Malcolm served with the Royal Field Artillery and No.Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. He was mentioned in Despatches. Son of George and Frances Emily Malcolm of 48 Perham Road, West Kensington, London. John Sykes Add to this record. 259384 Cpl. Stephen Thomason No. 20 Squadron Stephen Thomason served with No. 20 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Stephen Raymond Thomason Add to this record. 249553 Cpl. Charles William Hill 20 Squadron (d.30th July 1918) Charles Hill was born in Aston, Birmingham, he was one of the six children of Emily and Samuel Hill of Inkerman Street, Birmingham. Charlie is my great uncle who was shot down and killed near Ypres on 30th of July 1918. He was 26 when he died. He was an observer/gunner in Bristol Fighter E2471 being flown by Sgt J J Cowell. They were shot down by Lt Frederick Ritter Von Röth of Nuremburg. Von Röth was a German fighter ace with 28 victories to his name. He later committed suicide on New Year's Eve 1918, apparently depressed by the German defeat and troubled by his killings during the war. Charlie's brother Jack was also killed flying with the RAF in October 1918. Charlie rests in Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery near Ypres, Belgium. Add to this record. 209768 Cpt. Harry George Ernest "Huge" Luchford MC 20 SQD (d.2nd Dec 1917) Harry Luchford was born in India in 1894. He worked for Matins Bank in Lombard Street, London W1. On the outbreak of war he enlisted into the Norfolk Regiment, transferred to the ASC, He served with the Indian cavalry division was wounded in France and after recovering joined the RFC. He obtained his Pilots certificate in May 1917 and recorded his first kill on June 13 1917. He is credited with 24 kills the last one on 21 October 1917. He returned home on leave to receive the MC & Bar from the King at Buckingham Palace in November, but was sadly shot down on his return to duty by the German ace, Walter Von Bulow. Keith Wright Add to this record. 204892 Harold Evans Hartney 20 Squadron My grandfather, Harold Hartney, was a Canadian who was in the Canadian army at the start of the war and transferred to the RFC while stationed in England. He joined 20 squadron and scored 5 enemy planes shot down. He transferred to the American Army Air Corps in 1917 and commanded the 27th Areo squadron and then the 1st Pursuit Group. Fred Yeager Jr. Add to this record. Recomended Reading. Available at discounted prices.

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