Welcome to my web site about 66 Squadron Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force in the First World War.

I have been researching 66 Squadron since the late 1980’s when I became interested in Harry King Goode, DSO, DFC, AFC. I spent many an hour at the Public Records Office in Kew and the fruit of my research was published in Cross & Cockade International in 1993. This web site is the result of some of my research. My interest has always centred on the people rather than who got who, and I have spent some time contacting some of the families of the not so well known names. They came from a wide range of backgrounds and many came from other countries of the Empire. Canada is very well represented, along with Australia, New Zealand, U.S.A., South Africa, Ireland and Argentina. The Officers were in the main quite young; most were born between 1890-1895, so in 1918 they were aged between 23 and 28. There were some notable exceptions, E V ffrench and F D C Gore to name two, both of Australian backgrounds.

The enlisted men’s age varied quite a lot with men born in the mid 1880’s through 1896. The majority of the enlisted men were tradesmen such as carpenters, welders, riggers, airframe and engine fitters, electricians, others were in a support role, cooks, batmen, drivers etc.

Sixty six squadron was also unusual as three of the pilots who flew with the squadron were awarded the Victoria Cross, two with other squadrons after service with 66 and one whilst serving with 66. They were:

Englishman Capt. James McCudden V.C., D.S.O. and Bar, M.C. and Bar, M.M., and Croix de Guerre, served with 66 for a few weeks in the summer of 1917 flying the squadron Sopwith Scouts. He was awarded the VC whilst serving with 56 squadron in April 1918 only to die a few weeks later.

Canadian Major William G. Barker V.C., D.S.O. and Bar, M.C. and two Bars, C.C., Legion d’honour, Croix de Guerra, Medal d’Argento was Canada’s most highly decorated member of the RFC/RAF. He served with 66 as a flight commander from April 1918 until posted to 139 Squadron as Commanding Office in July. He returned to Home Establishment and was later sent to France where, whilst flying a Sopwith Snipe on the 27 October 1918 of 201 Squadron he was involved in combat and awarded the VC.

Finally Englishman Lt. Alan Jerrard was awarded a V.C. for the action he took part in with Capt. Peter Carpenter D.S.O. and Lt. Harold R. Eycott-Martin all of 66 squadron on the 30 March 1918 when attacking Austrian Mansue aerodrome.

After the war some of the men would return to their pre war employment, some including John Whittaker, Harry Goode and Owen Boyd stayed in the RAF, only to die in colonial and other wars including WW2, Richard Ryan helped found a new company in aviation, which grew into a major international airline. Gordon Apps joined the fledgling Canadian Air Force and was involved in the photographic mapping of that country. Others retained a link to the forces; Robert Capon retired from the RAF in 1925 after serving with the Reserve. He became the Superintendent of Scientific Research at Farnborough, Cecil Morley joined the Civil Works Staff eventually serving in Germany during the 1950’s Cold War. The biographies section will be added to as time permits.

The Great Escape Holzminden July 1918

This was the first mass break out from a p.o.w camp during the war, and was the for runner of another escape from Stalag Luft 111 in WW2, when 76 men escaped and three made home runs. The men tunnelled out from the barracks in to a near by field twenty nine escaping before one of them became stuck underground and had to be rescued. Two 66 Squadron men took part in the escape, Stanley S.B. Purves from Scotland, was shot down flying with 19 Squadron. He escaped and was one of ten who made a home run. The other was the very unlucky Edgar H Garland who was captured whilst serving with 66. He was waiting his turn when the 30th man in the tunnel became stuck and Garland was chosen to try and rescue him and this he did.

At least one other 66 Squadron pilot Stewart S Hume was interned in Holzminden, his story is told else where. Further research suggest that J W Boumphrey might have been interned in the camp after his capture, other also though to have been sent to the camp include R S Capon, C F Smith and C H F Nobbs.

If you are interested in learning more about the escape the following will be of help.

The Tunnellers of Holzminden by H.G. Durnford published by Cambridge University Press 1920 and Beyond the Tumult by Barry Winchester published by Allison & Busby, London 1971,ISBN 85031 057 1

The squadron was also unusual for the esprit de corps that was generated when John Whittaker took over command in the winter of 1917-18. He introduced a squadron magazine called “Clickerty-Click”. Inter-squadron sports were organized including, Water Polo, Football, Tennis and Cricket, and no doubt some of the men helped with the theatrical productions put on in 1918 by 34 Squadron.

Other sections that will be amended and finished include the serials section, officers and other ranks information. If you have any constructive comments, photographs or documents to lend or any other information, please get in touch with me, through the link provided on the opening page. I would be pleased to hear from any relatives of any one who served with 66 at any time during WW1. John Grech