Hi, Im pretty much a newbie to this amazing Group. Heresy I know but I really didnt have much interest in WWI prior to starting my company (Arrow Wolf .. not intended as a plug) but because of it and the demand for WWI related products Ive been gradually taken in. Gradual is, perhaps, the wrong term but certainly Ive become very immersed in it now. This recent interest in all things WWI coincided with both my cousin and my wife becoming addicted to ancestry research where upon we discovered a Great, Great (maybe one more Great I dont know) Uncle of mine who flew in WWI and was eventually shot down and killed by Oswald Boelke. Patrick Langan-Byrne (PL-B) (theaerodrome/aces/ireland/langan-byrne.php) was flying a DH.2 on 16th October 1916 when he was attacked by elements from Jasta 2. It was subsequently discovered that Oswald Boelke was the pilot who claimed the victory. Prior to his death PL-B had had 10 victories of his own. PL-B had previously been awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the Gazetted citation read as follows:- 2nd Lt. Patrick Anthony Langan-Byrne, R.A. and R.F.C. For conspicuous skill and gallantry. He has shown great pluck in attacking hostile machines, often against large odds. He has accounted for several. On one occasion, with two other machines, he attacked seventeen enemy machines, shot down one in flames and forced another to land. We have even found a copy of the letter sent by his Commanding Officer to Langan-Byrnes mother: Quote Dear Mrs Byrne You will have heard from the War Office that your son was missing on the 16th. It was a terrible blow to the squadron losing such a valuable officer and charming companion, and I am writing to convey my deep sympathy in your anxiety and grief. Except for two or three who had been with me since last February he accomplished more than any other pilot in the squadron. By his marvellous pluck and unfailing cheery goodwill he earned the admiration and affection of all who knew him. I have been trying to find out if anyone saw what happened to him but it is almost impossible to get news at this time. He with several others was diving to attack two hostile machines who of course were firing back at him. He must have been hit as he suddenly dived vertically. At the same time the others were attacked by ten or twelve machines and were too occupied to see what happened to him. But as he didn’t return and we have no news of him, he must be down in Hundland. We still hope he may have recovered and landed successfully as a machine was seen, uncrashed, very like his, but for news we may have to wait six weeks or two months. He had just been promoted Flight Commander and in due course will be gazetted Captain and with DSO at his age he would undoubtedly have gone far if he had been spared. I am awfully cut up at losing such a good friend and sympathise with you most sincerely. F. S. Hawker, Major, R. F. C. Unquote The wonderful thing about this ancestry hobby is (a) I doubt I would have known about my G.G. (G?) Uncle being a relatively successful DH.2 pilot and (b) with the records available I can now build a Wingnut Wings DH.2 in the markings of the last machine he flew. (I have a picture of him but not sure how to attach it to this post) Lastly, I apologise for the length of this post but, Im incredibly proud of my newly discovered relative and thought, as the documents could be so easily transcribed to here they may be interest.
Posted on: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 10:47:32 +0000
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