Some years ago walking through Coventry’s main cemetery I came across three military tombstones for three flyers who died during World War 1.
The centre grave of the three is that of a member of the Australian Flying Corps and I have often wondered why he is buried in Coventry.
An incredible number of aeroplanes and aircraft engines were built in the city during WW1 and I have presumed he died either testing or taking delivery of one of these.
The CWGC site provides the following info but I would like to know more about the circumstances
TROUT, ROY CUMESTREE
Initials: R C
Nationality: Australian
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment: Australian Flying Corps
Unit Text: 69th Sqdn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: 27/07/1917
Additional information: Son of Walter John and Alice Trout, of Victoria St., Red Hill, Brisbane, Queensland. Born at Red Hill, Brisbane, Queensland.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 141. 174.
Cemetery: COVENTRY (LONDON ROAD) CEMETERY
Can anyone else suggest where else to look?
Roger Smith.
By: RPSmith - 7th December 2005 at 17:49
Now got a copy of the Coroner’s report with witness statements.
Lieutenant Trout had just taken off to deliver the R.E.8 to Lympne and had done a similar operation two days previously. The aircraft (3772) was air tested two days previously (Lt. C. Thomas) and the engine examined the day before (Sgt. G. Sutcliffe). There was no other aircraft involved so the P/O Prune newscutting must be a seperate event. Lt. Thomas was airborne at the time of the accident and saw 3772 flying immediately before the crash.
Although simply classed as a “flying accident” by the Coroner it is unclear from the evidence wether the crash was as a result of mechanical/structural failure or pilot error. One Herbert Fortnum, Chief Fire Officer at Messrs. White and Poppe’s stated that he went outdoors because “an aeroplane passing over the factory..” “.. was making peculiar noises..”
The 69th Squadron was based at South Carlton, Lincolnshire.
Roger Smith.
By: RPSmith - 1st December 2005 at 14:12
Got to the Library last night – in case anyone is interested:
Midland Daily Telegraph Monday 30th July, 1917.
“The Coroner for North Warwickshire Dr. C. W. Iliffe today conducted an inquest concerning the death of Lieut. Roy Cumestree Trout of the Australian Flying Corps. Deceased was aged 22, single and his home was Brisbane, Queensland. He was stated to be an experienced airman. When flying over North Warwickshire he was seen to get into difficulties and nose-dived. The machine was found wrecked and almost completely burned, the petrol tank bursting as a result of the impact. Deceased’s lifeless body was among the debris. Medical evidence showed that he died from the results of the impact and must have been instantaneous. In expressing sympathies to the relatives the Coroner said that the deceased was a young Colonial who came to The Motherland to help the Empire’s ?? and laid down his life nobly for her. A verdict of Accidental Death was returned.”
Am now trying County records office to get copy of Coroner’s Report.
Roger Smith.
By: RPSmith - 17th November 2005 at 00:04
Thanks again.
Am going to try Coventry City Libraries’ microfiched local newspapers one evening next week.
Roger Smith.
By: paulmcmillan - 16th November 2005 at 17:47
CUMESTREE is such an unusual name, it is worth a google
http://deepthought.hass.adfa.edu.au:8080/showPerson?pid=304854
http://www.australianflyingcorps.org/2002_1999/afc_roh.htm
http://www.chapelhill.homeip.net/FamilyHistory/Other/UQ/index.html
http://www.chapelhill.homeip.net/FamilyHistory/Other/UQ/118_1805.JPG
By: Pilot Officer Prune - 15th November 2005 at 19:12
Found a cutting saying that in 1917 there was a mid-air collision over Coventry between a SE 5 and a RE 8, in which the 2 man crew of the RE 8 died. The SE 5 pilot survived.No other details though.
By: RPSmith - 13th November 2005 at 18:53
Thanks to respondees.
RE8 A3772 was one of a batch of 150 built by Siddeley Deasey (forerunner of AWA) in Coventry. If I do discover any more I will post.
Roger Smith.
By: paulmcmillan - 10th November 2005 at 19:59
Killed in RE8 A3772
Source Airmen Died in the Great War Chris Hobson
By: archieraf - 9th November 2005 at 20:31
This is what the Australian War Memorial website holds on the airman in question:
Trout, Roy Cumestree
Number:
Rank: Lieutenant [Lt]
Unit: 69th Sqdn Australian Flying Corps
Service: Army
Conflict: 1914-1918
Date of Death: 27/07/1917
Place of Death:
Cause of Death: Killed while flying (crashed)
Memorial Panel: 188
Cemetery or Memorial Details: WARWICKSHIRE 50 Coventry (London Road) Cemetery
Next Of Kin:
Place Of Enlistment: Red Hill, QLD
Native Place:
Notes: TROUT, Roy Cumestree, Lt. 69th Sqdn. Australian Flying Corps. Killed while flying (crashed) 27th July, 1917. Age 22. Son of Walter John and Alice Trout, of Victoria St., Red Hill, Brisbane, Queensland. Born at Red Hill, Brisbane, Queensland. 174. 141.
Source: AWM145 Roll of Honour cards, 1914-1918 War, Army
If you visit the Australian National Archives website you can request to have a copy of his service record digitised and made available online (it can take 4 – 6 wks to becone available). http://www.naa.gov.au/The_Collection/recordsearch.html
We Will Remember Them
By: GASML - 9th November 2005 at 20:11
You could try checking if there’s anything on the Australian War Memorial site http://www.awm.gov.au/ or try posting something on the Great War Forum http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showforum=25 they seem pretty good at that type of info.
Good luck.
Heads up for next Tuesday night on BBC 1, The Last Tommies, following the last 27 known WW-1 survivors (just one remaining RFC veteran) through the 2004 remembrance ceremonies. Harrowing memories, but they should be remembered.
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November 9, 2005 at 7:06 pm