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Second Lieutenant F. T. D. Gulley, No. 6 (Training) Squadron, AFC

17 March 2008 by Amanda Rebbeck. 2 Comments
Aircraft 1914 - 1918,Collection,Personal Stories, , , ,

Crashes and fires were everyday hazards for the First World War flier. Second Lieutenant Frederick Gulley suffered both when trying to land his aircraft in England on 17 October 1918. Gulley was on a cross country flight and struck a post whilst attempting to land in a field close to Tidworth Barracks, Wiltshire. In the resulting fire Gulley’s clothes, harness, face and hands were burnt. He was taken to Tidworth Hospital with superficial burns to his face, neck and both hands, including all fingers. 

A piece of Second Lieutenant Gulley’s seat harness after his aircraft crashed in England on 17 October 1918. NB the burn marks from the fire are still visible.A piece of Second Lieutenant Gulley’s seat harness after his aircraft crashed in England on 17 October 1918. NB the burn marks from the fire are still visible. REL/15078

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The Dangers of Flying

06 February 2008 by Amanda Rebbeck. 1 Comment
Aircraft 1914 - 1918,Personal Stories, , ,

The aircraft of the 1914-18 period were visibly frail and delicate and quite unlike the capable machines we know today. First World War aircraft were prone to structural or mechanical failures and could easily catch fire. Armament was limited to rifle-calibre machine guns and protection for the crew through armour and parachutes were only beginning to be used in the closing stages of the war. Aircrew operated with few aids to navigation, and were usually exposed to the elements while in flight. read on

Training

07 December 2007 by Peter Burness. No comments
Aircraft 1914 - 1918,

Trainees, instructors and staff for the Australian Flying Corps first flying training course which began 17 August 1914. They are pictured in front of a BE2A aircraft in a hangar at the Central Flying School, Point Cook, Victoria.Trainees, instructors and staff for the Australian Flying Corps first flying training course which began 17 August 1914. They are pictured in front of a BE2A aircraft in a hangar at the Central Flying School, Point Cook, Victoria. P00731.003

Some Australian pilots qualified at courses at Point Cook, Victoria, and at Richmond, New South Wales; however, from 1917, most were trained in England. It took about 8 months to produce a pilot, commencing with classes in practical work and theory before handling aircraft. read on

Second Lieutenant Roy Lytton Cummings, No. 5 (Training) Squadron, AFC

24 August 2007 by Amanda Rebbeck. No comments
Aircraft 1914 - 1918,Personal Stories,

A native of Franklin, Tasmania Roy Lytton Cummings enlisted in the AIF on 19 November 1914 and after training was posted to the 3rd Field Ambulance. He embarked for overseas service aboard HMAT A70 (Ballarat) on 9 September 1915 and saw a short period of service in the last month of the Gallipoli campaign.

5561 Private Roy Lytton Cummings, 3rd Field Ambulance, 10th Reinforcements5561 Private Roy Lytton Cummings, 3rd Field Ambulance, 10th Reinforcements P04362.001

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