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Searchable database of the 290 graves at the Habbaniyah War Cemetery, Iraq Habbaniya War Cemetery Graves - Searchable Database This page gives access to an on-line table of all burials at the Habbaniya War Cemetery in Iraq. The data has been put together over many years by Dr Christopher Morris and the late Peter Burlton , who used to run the RAF Habbaniya Association. Dr Morris has kindly permitted me to reproduce the data shown in the table below. The burials are in alphabetical surname sequence and you can use the 'Search' function by entering text in the box at the top of the table. You can also scroll up and down the table or move your finger / mouse cursor left and right to view all of the columns. Where possible, the cause of death has been provided. Additional information will be added to the table as more research is carried out. You can scroll horizontally using the mouse or arrow buttons on your keyboard to access all of the columns. The table can be used in conjunction with the interactive plan of the Habbaniya War Cemetery whereby an image of the headstone of the person you have selected can be viewed. If you simply want to view all of the 290 headstone photos, you can view them Plot by Plot. My website is the only place you will find current photographs of the graves at the Habbaniyah War Cemetery.

This page provides a brief biography of 2nd Lieutenant Edgar Bissett, 6 Squadron Royal Air Force, using WW1 service record information and many other sources 2nd Lieutenant Edgar Bissett - 6 Squadron Royal Air Force 2nd Lt Edgar George William Bissett was born at Inverurie on 30 July 1896. He was educated at Peterhead Academy and attended Aberdeen University in 1914, studying Medicine. In his second year at University he joined the Officers Training Corps, and when it was decided that all first and second year medical students should join up, he obtained a commission in the 5th Gordon Highlanders in December 1915. After training at various camps in England, he was sent to France on 1 July 1916, and went through the first Battle of the Somme. In October of that year he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as an observer and after initial training in the UK, joined ‘A’ Flight of 6 Squadron at Abeele on the Western Front in January 1917. Sadly, his active service in WW1 was cut short within a week. On the 7th January 1917, whilst flying over the Ypres salient at 4,000 feet on an artillery observation mission (viz. using wireless to range batteries on to enemy targets), Lt Bissett and his pilot Lt A J C E Phillippo were attacked by a Halberstadt scout at mid-day. Their aircraft, Royal Aircraft Factory BE2g Serial No: 6238 was extensively damaged as a result with the rear fuel tank hit. Lt Phillippo was fortunate enough to evade the enemy scout and successfully force-land on the allied side of the lines. At the outset of the engagement, Lt Bissett was shot in the head and quickly succumbed to his wounds. At the young age of 20, 2nd Lt Bissett was buried at the Mendringhem Military cemetery (Plot 1, Row C, Grave 1), only a few kilometres north-east of 6 Squadron’s base at Abeele. One of the pilots in 'A' Flight (2nd Lt N W Scoles - acting as temporary Flight Commander) wrote to Bissett's father shortly after the engagement to inform him of his son's death. Richard Knight, who 100 years later has possession of this letter, has kindly given me permission to reproduce it here.

AC1 John Maxton Ramsay, No 6 Armoured Car Company is approved by the JCCC in February 2025 as the 300th burial at Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemetery, Baghdad 300th Burial at Ma'Asker Approved I received a letter from the Head of the JCCC on the 5th February 2025 informing me: " . . . . . I am pleased to inform you that, following an adjudication board held on Thursday 29 January 2025, JCCC have agreed with your submission both that AC1 John Ramsay would have been buried in the cemetery now known as Ma’Asker Al Raschid, and that his grave would have been at what is now referenced as Plot 3, Row G, Grave 2 . . . . . . . . . The extensive and detailed evidence submitted by you has enabled this airman (or aviator to use the current RAF parlance) to have his final resting place recognised. For this we are grateful and appreciate the time, effort, and patience this has taken. As you are aware the cemetery has been very badly damaged and it is unlikely reinstallation of individual headstones will be attempted in the foreseeable future, but being able to confirm AC1 Ramsay’s grave reference means he will now be included in the Roll of Honour for the cemetery, and details included on any memorial erected to commemorate those who lie there. JCCC will now inform the CWGC so they can carry out any action required to recognise this decision. " I have included below a summary of the evidence I presented to the CWGC / JCCC / AHB / MoD John Maxton Ramsay 6 Armoured Car Company RAF Who Was John Maxton Ramsay And How/Where/When Did He Die? I first became aware of John Maxton Ramsay when I came across his RAF Casualty Card whilst researching a query from a 6 Squadron RAF veteran. The Casualty Card didn't specify the place of death, only the location of the authority who reported it, viz. RAF Air HQ, Baghdad, located within the cantonment at RAF Hinaidi. At first I was unable to find the "Returns of DEATH" until I searched for “Ramsey” instead of “Ramsay” and found an entry for “John Maxton Ramsey”. The surname of “Ramsey” was obviously a clerical error for when I compared the details of “Ramsey" against the birth certificate and the Casualty Card for “Ramsay", everything matched – the age at death “22 years and 45 days” works out as the same birth date as “Second day of June 1902”. The “Returns of DEATH” was unequivocal in stating that Ramsay died on the 17th July 1924 at the RAF British Hospital Hinaidi, part of a complex in the newly completed RAF Hinaidi Cantonment, located in buildings shared by the RAF AHQ and less than 1/2 mile from the Armoured Car Companies’ HQ (see diagram of Hinaidi Cantonment further down this page). Having found out where John Ramsay died, the next step was to find out where he was buried. At Which Cemetery Was John Maxton Ramsay Buried At the time of Ramsay’s death in July 1924, the RAF Armoured Car HQ and the No: 4 Armoured Car Company were both permanently situated within the cantonment of RAF Hinaidi, only ½ mile from the RAF hospital and less than a mile from the Hinaidi RAF Cemetery (aka Ma’Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemetery). The other Armoured Car Companies at that time operated out of various locations (Nos: 1 & 2 in Palestine - part of the Royal Tank Corps, No: 3 in Basrah, No: 5 in Mosul and No: 6 in Kirkuk). Burials for all but No: 3 Armoured Car Company deaths invariably took place at Ma’Asker Al Raschid, though at least one man from No: 4 Armoured Car Company (AC2 C R Crang from 'C' Section) was drowned at Basra in April 1925 and buried at the Basra (Makina) RAF Peace Cemetery. Between June 1922 and May 1935 there were 23 burials for Armoured Car Company personnel at Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF cemetery – see diagram below. In 1924 there were only two allied Military Cemeteries located in Baghdad, the Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery and the Hinaidi RAF Cemetery (name later changed to the Ma’Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemetery). According to the CWGC Roll of Honour for Iraq (recently made available on-line via the CWGC website), Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery holds the bodies of nine “NON WORLD WAR” deaths for RAF personnel (see below). l researched the deaths of each of these nine men and found that their burials took place between September 2021 and February 1922, the last burial more than two years before Ramsay died. The first burial at the newly completed Ma’Asker Al Raschid cemetery was the 27th December 2021, with a small overlap in the usage of the two cemeteries. There are several reason for the overlap. Four of the nine men died in the “23 British Stationary Hospital”, located in central Baghdad in what was formerly the Turkish Military Hospital buildings, before the General Hospital at RAF Hinaidi had opened. Three of the other deaths were the result of a mid-air collision between two RAF aircraft over Baghdad, another man died in the Mosul hospital and was transferred to Baghdad and the ninth death was of an RAF Captain who was killed in an ambush on the Turkish border whilst he was ‘attached’ to the RAF Iraqi Levies and his body transported back to Baghdad. John Maxton Ramsay’s name does not appear on this list. With Baghdad (North Gate) Cemetery ruled out as Ramsay's final resting place, I searched the whole of the on-line CWGC Iraq Roll of Honour as well as the Basra Memorial document for ‘J M Ramsay’ (and also for ‘J M Ramsey’) and couldn't find a match. As a matter of interest, for the name listed above Ramsay’s entry on the Military “Returns of Deaths” extract, a Corporal Frank Stuart Bolan whose death was also entered by the RAF Air HQ Baghdad on the same day, 24th July 1924. For him I did find a match. Dolan was reported to have died at the RAF Combined Hospital in Basrah and was buried at the Basrah (Makina) RAF Cemetery. Having exhausted every other avenue, I came to the only (and obvious) conclusion that AC1 John Maxton Ramsay was buried at the same cemetery as his contemporaries from 6 Armoured Car Company who lost their lives whilst serving with the Royal Air Force in Iraq – namely at the Ma’Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemetery. But where exactly was he buried? Where Was the body of AC1 John Maxton Ramsay Interred? According to the CWGC 1964 Burial Record Plan, at that time there were five vacant plots recorded at Ma’Asker: Plot 1 Row A Grave 13 Plot 1 Row D Grave 3 Plot 2 Row B Grave 1 Plot 3 Row G Grave 2 Plot 3 Row N Grave 8 Looking at the timeline of burials at Ma’Asker, all of these plots except Plot 3 Row G Grave 2 are in areas of the cemetery that were used for burials between 1928 and 1937, at least four years after John Ramsay’s death ( see diagram at the bottom of this page for the burial sequence of all 300 graves ). However, Plot 3 Row G Grave 2 fits the timeline perfectly, with the burial in Plot 3 Row G Grave 3 taking place 11 days before Ramsay’s death and the burial in Plot 3 Row G Grave 1 taking place four days after Ramsay’s death. If you look at the extract of Ma’Asker burials shown below, you will notice that between the 19th April 1924 and the 8th March 1925, five men from No: 6 Armoured Car Company were buried at that cemetery, including the then commanding officer of the company, Squadron Leader Jasper Cruickshank OBE. As final photographic proof, here is a photograph (taken in 1935) showing that Plot 3 Row G Grave 2 was not vacant and contained a headstone of similar design to that of the majority of headstones in the Ma’Asker cemetery. The photograph below was taken c1935 and is a wide-angled shot taken from near the south-eastern corner of Plot 3, looking towards the north-western corner of the cemetery. In the immediate foreground are two headstones whose details are clearly visible, for Sergeant William Stanley Woods ( Plot 3 Row M Grave 1 ) and Pilot Officer Jack Whitworth Wood ( Plot 3 Row M Grave 2 ). By examining the photo, it is a simple matter to count back seven rows from Jack Wood’s headstone to confirm that there is indeed a headstone in Plot 3 Row G Grave 2 . Note: If the body buried in Plot 3 Row G Grave 2 is not that of AC1 John Maxton Ramsay, then it means there is another fallen (and unknown) British serviceman who needs to be accounted for and honoured by the CWGC. So What Happened To AC1 John Maxton Ramsay’s Headstone? British war cemeteries in Iraq suffered greatly over time from the extreme climate of the region, with headstones weathering due to the wide temperature variance as well as water damage from heavy rains and the frequent flooding of the river Tigris. Vandalism also played its part, especially in periods of war and political unrest, with many headstones damaged or destroyed altogether. The CWGC has done an excellent job in replacing headstones and restoring cemeteries in Iraq when it is safe to do so, but it is inevitable that some burials might be overlooked, especially in abandoned cemeteries such as Ma’Asker. Last year, when I was compiling a database of headstone photographs for the recently restored Habbaniya War Cemetery, I discovered that one of the burials had been overlooked during the restoration process and that nothing now marked the grave of Norwegian sailor First Officer Magnus Kristiansen. Going through my archives I found a photograph of the original headstone for Kristiansen and understood why his grave might have been forgotten as the face of the headstone was badly eroded and almost illegible. I had to use special computer software to reveal what was written on the headstone (see the two images below that show the condition of the headstone and an artist’s impression of what it should have looked like). Perhaps something similar happened to the headstone of AC1 John Ramsay at some point between 1933 and 1964 when the official CWGC survey team deemed the grave ‘VACANT’ and John Ramsay’s name was forgotten. How Can AC1 John Maxton Ramsay’s Memory Be Restored? The first action by the Commonwealth War Graves should be to add “ RAMSAY, J M ” to the IRAQ ROLL OF HONOUR, page 273 for the MA’ASKER AL RASCHID RAF CEMETERY, under the category, ‘ Aircraftman 1st Class ’. In the longer term, when a memorial is erected at Ma’Asker for the 300 men, women (including one baby girl) buried there, or when the cemetery is restored and new headstones erected, AC1 John Maxton Ramsay must be included. NOTE: If physical evidence is deemed necessary to prove that human remains lie in Plot 3 Row G Grave 2 , it would be a relatively simple matter for a local contractor in Baghdad to excavate on behalf of the CWGC a shallow trench at the southern end of Row G. Two years ago when the concrete headstone bases of Plot 3 were examined, they were found to be intact (see photo below). Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemetery - Old and New Grave Numbering System The system of recording Plot numbers changed at some point between 1935 and 1965, but I have yet to determine whether this was intentional on the part of the CWGC or whether it was an oversight. However, this change is immaterial as it does not have an impact on the burial locations. Below is a copy of the official Ma’Asker Al Raschid Cemetery Burial record Plan that was produced in 1964 and updated in 1965. The layout and names of the burials are completely consistent with the many photographs that I have of the cemetery and the 300 graves contained in it. The only difference is that the sequencing of the grave numbers for the three Plots has been reversed (1 to 14 instead of 14 to 1). As to why this happened is unknown to me, but it makes no difference as all of the records currently held by the CWGC for Ma’Asker are consistent with the revised numbering system. Taking the grave of AC1 Ramsay as an example, his original burial location of Plot 3 Row G Grave 13 translated into Plot 3 Row G Grave 2 in 1965 and has remained the same ever since. All the records I have seen that are held by the CWGC are consistent with the new system. It is only old photos that show the original Grave numbering format (see grave photo below). Anchor 1

This is a photographic collection of WW1 Royal Air Force artifacts and miscellaneous items of interest, all of which were owned by my grandfather who served with 6 Squadron during WW1. WW1 Artefacts belonging to Cpl Fred Johnstone Royal Flying Corps My grandfather left 6 Squadron in early 1918 due to ill health and returned from France with many mementos, some of which are shown below in the first photo gallery. He also brought home his WW1 war diaries and wallet which he carried with him everywhere while he was serving with 6 Squadron over the western front. Amazingly, the wallet remained unopened for more than fifty years until his death in 1969 when I was able to examine both its contents as well as the cryptic entries my grandfather made in his diaries. Photographs of the documents held in the wallet are displayed in the second photo gallery below. This is a metal model of a Bristol Scout, made by my grandfather during WW1. For the rest of his lif This is a metal model of a Bristol Scout, made by my grandfather during WW1. For the rest of his life he kept it on his desk, mounted on a valve stem taken from an RE8 engine The gold wedding ring given to Fred in 1918 by Ethel. The inscription 'GEE' gave rise to the title o The gold wedding ring given to Fred in 1918 by Ethel. The inscription 'GEE' gave rise to the title of my first book, 'For God, England & Ethel' The WW1 medals belonging to my grandfather, Corporal Fred Johnstone of 6 Squadron Royal Air Force The WW1 medals belonging to my grandfather, Corporal Fred Johnstone of 6 Squadron Royal Air Force The watchmaker's eye glass as used by my grandfather in France during WW1 and afterwards in peacetim The watchmaker's eye glass as used by my grandfather in France during WW1 and afterwards in peacetime A piece of shrapnel, a clip of French Lebel 8mm "Balle D" rifle ammunition, a wireless receiver tuni A piece of shrapnel, a clip of French Lebel 8mm "Balle D" rifle ammunition, a wireless receiver tuning knob and a piece of carved wood taken from a bombed building during WW1 War diaries kept by my grandfather when he served with 6 Squadron during WW1 War diaries kept by my grandfather when he served with 6 Squadron during WW1 Royal Flying Corps enamel 'sweetheart' badge, given to Ethel by my grandfather Corporal Fred Johnsto Royal Flying Corps enamel 'sweetheart' badge, given to Ethel by my grandfather Corporal Fred Johnstone, most likely in 1918 The knife, fork and spoon set used by my grandfather Corporal Fred Johnstone with 6 Squadron in Fran The knife, fork and spoon set used by my grandfather Corporal Fred Johnstone with 6 Squadron in France and Belgium during WW1 Leather Balaclava worn by my grandfather Corporal Fred Johnstone with 6 Squadron during WW1 Leather Balaclava worn by my grandfather Corporal Fred Johnstone with 6 Squadron during WW1 The Army Book 64 Pay Book (WW1) for my grandfather, Corporal Fred Johnstone, 6 Squadron The Army Book 64 Pay Book (WW1) for my grandfather, Corporal Fred Johnstone, 6 Squadron The Army Book 64 Pay Book for my Grandfather Corporal Fred Johnstone RFC - payment details for 1917 The Army Book 64 Pay Book for my Grandfather Corporal Fred Johnstone RFC - payment details for 1917 when he served with 6 Squadron RFC in Abeele, Belgium The red identity disc and Royal Flying Corps badges that my grandfather wore for the duration of WW1 The red identity disc and Royal Flying Corps badges that my grandfather wore for the duration of WW1 in France These binoculars were carried by my grandfather during his time in Belgium and France in Ww1 These binoculars were carried by my grandfather during his time in Belgium and France in Ww1 This WW1 Army telescope (six inches long) was owned by my grandfather This WW1 Army telescope (six inches long) was owned by my grandfather This is a piano tuning key used by my grandfather This is a piano tuning key used by my grandfather This miniature needle case was retrieved from a bombed nunnery in Amiens during WW1 by my grandfathe This miniature needle case was retrieved from a bombed nunnery in Amiens during WW1 by my grandfather, Fred Johnstone This two-inch long set of brass dominoes was carried by my grandfather during WW1 in Belgium and Fra This two-inch long set of brass dominoes was carried by my grandfather during WW1 in Belgium and France This is the Royal Flying Corps cap my grandfather wore throughout WW1 in Belgium, France and England This is the Royal Flying Corps cap my grandfather wore throughout WW1 in Belgium, France and England My Grandfather's bone penknife, inscribed with 'FWJ'. He carried this with him during WW1 on the Wes My Grandfather's bone penknife, inscribed with 'FWJ'. He carried this with him during WW1 on the Western Front WW1 Armed Services Demobilization Papers The pigskin wallet shown below was in my grandfather's possession for the duration of WW1. Though he carried it home to England intact when he was invalided out of 6 Squadron, he would never again use it nor, to my knowledge, refer to the documents it contained. The photographs displayed below, with all of the army documentation that a returning serviceman was obliged to carry after the Armistice, give an insight into the life and times of the Great War. The wallet my grandfather Corporal Fred Johnstone Royal Flying Corps brought back from the Western F The pigskin wallet (and its contents - demobilization papers) my grandfather Corporal Fred Johnstone Royal Flying Corps brought back from the Western Front and never used again. The demobilization papers, contents of the wallet my grandfather Corporal Fred Johnstone Royal Flyin The demobilization papers, contents of the wallet my grandfather Corporal Fred Johnstone Royal Flying Corps brought back from the Western Front Army Book 64 - Active Service. The pay book my grandfather had whilst serving in Belgium with 6 Squa The pay book my grandfather had whilst serving in Belgium with 6 Squadron during WW1 The inside pages of the replacement Army pay book my grandfather Corporal Fred Johnstone Royal Flyin The inside pages of the replacement Army pay book my grandfather Corporal Fred Johnstone Royal Flying Corps had in Belgium after his first one was lost - he was put on a charge for losing it. Royal Air Force Form F5 687 Demobilization Account for my grandfather Corporal Fred Johnstone 6 Squa Royal Air Force Form F5 687 Demobilization Account for my grandfather Corporal Fred Johnstone 6 Squadron My grandfather's Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity (Army Form Z 11), issued to him My grandfather's Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity (Army Form Z 11), issued to him so that he could claim benefit after he was demobbed from WW1 Form Z 518 Army Certificate of Employment (front) my grandfather was provided with when he was demob Form Z 518 Army Certificate of Employment (front) my grandfather was provided with when he was demobbed after WW1 Reverse side of Army Certificate of Employment my grandfather was given when he was demobilized afte Reverse side of Army Certificate of Employment my grandfather was given when he was demobilized after WW1 Army Form Z53 - Demobilization Envelope for WW1 Army Form Z53 - Demobilization Envelope for WW1 Reverse side of WW1 Demobilization Envelope Reverse side of WW1 Demobilization Envelope The letter from the Goldsmiths College that accompanied the jewellery diploma my grandfather gained The letter from the Goldsmiths College that accompanied the jewellery diploma my grandfather gained in December 1914 Late Pass from the No 1 Wireless School, Flowerdown, Winchester, Royal Air Force Late Pass from the No 1 Wireless School, Flowerdown, Winchester, Royal Air Force Medal Notification Letter - WW1 Medal Notification Letter - WW1 Letter to inform what medals are entitled for WW1 service Letter to inform what medals are entitled for WW1 service Combined Leave and Railway ticket (third class) for HM Forces Overseas (in uniform) - return journey Combined Leave and Railway ticket (third class) for HM Forces Overseas (in uniform) - return journey from Basingstoke to France. This is the face of the ticket Combined Leave and Railway ticket (third class) for HM Forces Overseas (in uniform) - return journey Combined Leave and Railway ticket (third class) for HM Forces Overseas (in uniform) - return journey from Basingstoke to France. This is the reverse of the ticket Telegram of congratulations wired to my grandfather from 'Starlight', Ethel's nickname, the day he e Telegram of congratulations wired to my grandfather from 'Starlight', Ethel's nickname, the day he enlisted in the RFC Sticker declaring which London Railway Station is to be used for the return trip to France at the en Sticker declaring which London Railway Station is to be used for the return trip to France at the end of the period of leave during WW1. Army Form Z21 - Certificate of Demobilization, issued to my grandfather when he was transferred to t Army Form Z21 - Certificate of Demobilization, issued to my grandfather when he was transferred to the Reserve List in 1919 The 'Free From Vermin' certificate issued to my grandfather on the 11th January 1918 when he returne The 'Free From Vermin' certificate issued to my grandfather on the 11th January 1918 when he returned froim the Western Front in WW1, five days before he married Ethel Postcard with woven RFC (Royal Flying Corps) emblem - not sent Postcard with woven RFC (Royal Flying Corps) emblem - not sent WW1 Mementos from the Western Front

Eleven 6 Squadron aerial photos St Eloi, prior to and after the attack on Messines. Also aerial photographs of the 1916 St Eloi Craters 6 Squadron Aerial Photos - St Eloi (and the 1916 St Eloi Craters) The two photographs on Page 7 were taken by an RE8 of 6 Squadron, part of the squadron's aerial reconnaissance operations over the Western Front during WW1. Both photographs of Page 7 were shot by the crew of a 6 Squadron RE8 over the town of St Eloi, as defined by the mapping coordinates 28. O. 2. C and 28. O. 2. B , each area measuring 500 yards square. This was a prime example of a 6 Squadron WW1 aerial reconnaissance operation. The first photograph was taken on the 18th May 1917 and the second on the 11th June 1917, 4 days after the 19 mines were detonated beneath the German lines along the Messines ridge. Also shown on this page is an aerial photo of St Eloi, taken after the British mines were detonated in 1916. The six craters are circled. The two photographs on Page 17 were taken by an RE8 of 6 Squadron, part of the squadron's aerial reconnaissance operations over the Western Front during WW1. The photographs were were taken over St Eloi, as defined by mapping coordinates 28. O. 2. C and 28. O. 8. A . The first photograph was taken on the 18th May 1917 and the second on the 3rd June 1917, 4 days before 19 mines were detonated beneath the German lines along the Messines ridge at the start of the Battle of Messines. 6 Squadron Aerial Photos - St Eloi (South of Crossroads) The two photographs on Page 21 were taken by an RE8 of 6 Squadron, part of the squadron's aerial reconnaissance operations over the Western Front during WW1. The photographs were were taken over an area just to the south of the St Eloi crossroads, as defined by mapping coordinates 28. O. 2. C and 28. O. 2. D . The first photograph was taken on the 1st May 1917 and the second on the 4th June 1917, 3 days before 19 mines were detonated beneath the German lines along the Messines ridge at the start of the Battle of Messines 6 Squadron Aerial Photos - Barrage East of St Eloi The two photographs on Page 37 were taken by an RE8 of 6 Squadron, part of the squadron's aerial reconnaissance operations over the Western Front during WW1. The photographs were taken to show the effect of the pre-bombardment allied barrage on German batteries east and south of St Eloi. The photographs were taken on the 3rd June 1917 4 days before the Battle of Messines, over map coordinates 28. O. 4. A and 28. O. 8. C . 6 Squadron Aerial Photos - Barrage at Hill 60 & St Eloi The two photographs on Page 38 were taken by an RE8 of 6 Squadron, part of the squadron's aerial reconnaissance operations over the Western Front during WW1. The photographs were taken to show the effectiveness of the pre-bombardment allied barrage on German batteries at Hill 60 and St Eloi. The photographs were taken on the 3rd June 1917 4 days before the Battle of Messines, over map coordinates 28. O. 2. C and 28. I. 35. A .

Eight 6 Squadron Aerial photos of the White Chateau grounds andHollebeke in general, the upper photos taken prior to the attack on Messines and the lower 6 days later. 6 Squadron Aerial Photos - White Chateau Hollebeke The two photographs on Page 12 were taken by an RE8 of 6 Squadron, part of the squadron's aerial reconnaissance operations over the Western Front during WW1. The photographs on Page 12 were were taken over the same 500 x 500 yard section of the grounds of the White Chateau at Hollebeke, as defined by the mapping coordinates 28. O. 5. C . The first photograph was taken on the 23rd April 1917 and the second on the 11th June 1917, 4 days after 19 mines were detonated beneath the German lines along the Messines ridge at the start of the Battle of Messines. 6 Squadron Aerial Photos- Hollebeke Village The two photographs on Page 15 were taken by an RE8 of 6 Squadron, part of the squadron's aerial reconnaissance operations over the Western Front during WW1. These two photographs were were taken over Hollebeke, as defined by sections of the areas defined by the mapping coordinates 28. O. 6 and 28. O. 11 . The first photograph was taken on the 24th March 1917 and the second on the 11th June 1917, 4 days after 19 mines were detonated beneath the German lines along the Messines ridge at the start of the Battle of Messines. The two photographs on Page 22 were taken by an RE8 of 6 Squadron, part of the squadron's aerial reconnaissance operations over the Western Front during WW1. The photographs were were taken over Hollebeke Village, the area defined by mapping coordinates 28. O. 11. D . The first photograph was taken on the 6th April 1917 and the second on the 13th June 1917, 6 days after 19 mines were detonated beneath the German lines along the Messines ridge at the start of the Battle of Messines 6 Squadron Aerial Photos - Hollebeke Village (Before and After) The two photographs on Page 43 (the last page of the document produced by the Army Printing and Stationery Services department) were taken by an RE8 of 6 Squadron, part of the squadron's aerial reconnaissance operations over the Western Front during WW1. The photographs were taken to show the destructive impact the Battle of Messines had on the village of Hollebeke. The photographs were taken on the 3rd June 1917, 4 days before the Battle of Messines, and after the bombardment on the 17th June 1917, taken over map coordinates 28. O. 11 and 28. O. 12 .

This page provides the latest news of 6 Squadron Royal Air Force, reproduced here with the kind permission of the 6 Squadron Association 6 Squadron - The Tin-opener The first edition of the Tin-opener was written in 1944 and distributed to serving members of 6 Squadron as well as members of the 6 Squadron Association. The current edition of the quarterly squadron journal (for July 2025) is Number 136. Here is an extract: " Following a successful yet very busy Ex RED FLAG 25-1, 6 Sqn returned home for a well-earned respite, a suitable reward for extensive OCA missions through the Vegas casinos. On a serious note, a herculean effort executing 8+ hour operational missions in one of the largest combat air exercises in the world, flying hundreds of nautical miles into the Pacific Ocean, integrating with multiple different types of aircraft and gaining valuable training with our NATO partners. " NOTE: The above extract was prepared by the author in his personal capacity and the opinions expressed are his own and do not reflect official Royal Air Force policy

This page shows a circuit diagram for a direct coupled crystal receiver for long waves and a circuit diagram for a simple valve detecting circuit. Royal Air Force 1918 Simple Valve Detecting Circuit The last page of the notebook contains a circuit diagrams of a direct coupled crystal receiver for long waves in use by the Royal Air Force in 1918. There is also a diagram for a simple valve detecting circuit.

Details of the Iraq Command Wireless Stations, with Hinaidi being the location for the Control W/T Station. The other Iraq wireless stations were based at Shaibah and Mosul, with Posts at Kirkuk, Muscat, Ser Amadia and Dhibban. Iraq Command Wireless Stations - 1935 Page 10 of "An Introduction to Iraq" provides a brief description of the Iraq Command Wireless stations, with Hinaidi being the location for the Control W/T Station. The other Iraq wireless stations were based at Shaibah and Mosul, with Posts at Kirkuk, Muscat, Ser Amadia and Dhibban. At the time of publication, (August 1935) the Chief Signal Officer was Squadron Leader (later Wing Commander during WW2) C K Chandler, MBE.

'For God, England and Ethel' is a biographical historical novel, telling the true story of my grandfather's time with 6 Squadron Royal Air Force on the Western Front during WW1. The book contains operational details that have never before appeared in print. For God, England & Ethel - the story of 6 Squadron Royal Flying Corps During WW1, the men of the Army Corps squadrons were the unsung heroes of the Royal Flying Corps on the Western Front, yet little has been written of their exploits. Flying against the faster and more manoeuvrable scouts of the German Air Force, they were the "Eyes of the Army" despite suffering heavy losses. In pioneering the use of airborne wireless, they also changed forever the way in which wars would be waged. My first Royal Flying Corps book, For God, England and Ethel (named after the inscription 'GEE' my grandmother had engraved on the inside of my grandfather's engagement ring - to reinforce Fred's order of responsibilities!) is a novelised factual account of the WW1 operations of 6 Squadron RFC / RAF, based on the diaries my grandfather kept when he served with the squadron on the Western Front from 1915 to 1918 when it was based at the small Belgian/French border village of Abeele . It tells the true story of three men who all enlist in the Royal Flying Corps as wireless mechanics. Each man has a dream; one to gain a commission, another to become a fighter pilot and the third (my grandfather, Fred Johnstone) to bring his own unique skills to the war and be able to one day return home and marry his sweetheart, Ethel Pocock. Before the war comes to an end, each man’s dream is realised, but as everyone knows, dreams always come at a cost. It was published by Trafford and is currently available directly from the publisher in hardback format or through the Amazon books worldwide network in both paperback and eBook format. Postage can vary a lot so it pays to see which is the cheapest option in your country. For those who want to do more than simply read a remarkable but true story, I have also included sections of narrative, many maps and photographs as well as end-notes as well as more than 100 explanatory endnotes. Many of the facts regarding 6 Squadron have never before appeared in print, including full details as to how artillery observation aircraft communicated with the allied batteries in guiding the guns on to enemy targets (the diagram and map shown below are also included in the book. Click on any of the following buttons to display examples of what you will find in the book as well as some interesting photos. As a matter of interest, Fred's father and Ethel worked for Thomas Burberry in Basingstoke. Here is a photo of my great grandfather sitting with his staff at the bespoke Burberry clothing factory c1918. NARRATIVE END-NOTES 6 SQN HISTORY RESEARCH WW1 ARTIFACTS KIRKUS DISCOVERIES REVIEW - New York (April 16, 2010) "They also serve who only repair equipment, in this absorbing World War 1 saga. When his sweetheart Ethel puts off marrying him because of the uncertain times, young British watchmaker Fred Johnstone signs up for the Royal Flying Corps rather than wait to be drafted into the infantry and consigned to the trenches. He's assigned to a squadron of artillery observation aircraft in Belgium, a seemingly humdrum unit that sees more than its share of danger and drama. Flying low over the German lines in their cumbersome two-seaters to assess the accuracy of British artillery fire, the airmen confront death in many guises, including enemy anti-aircraft guns, errant British shells, mid-air collisions with comrades and fearsome German fighter planes. In one dogfight, an observer who doesn't know how to fly clambers into the front seat over the bullet-riddled corpse of the pilot and tries to pull the plane out of its death spiral, all while firing his machine gun at a pursuing German ace. Fred has a relatively cushy spot on the ground crew repairing radios, but he also experiences his quota of anguish when buddies are lost and he faces real peril from German bombing raids and crash landings by British planes. Basing his account on his grandfather's diaries and his meticulous historical research, Steve Buster Johnson immerses readers in period detail. He captures the material trappings and the subjective feel of one of the more genteel corners of Army life, with its barracks camaraderie, picnics and music-hall outings, and delicate tensions between military rank and civilian social status. Anyone who loves ancient biplanes will be entranced by the author's Proustian recreation of their looks and idiosyncrasies and the fiendish complexities of flying them. In his nerve-wracking combat scenes, it seems miraculous when these wood-and-cloth contraptions stand up to the shock of battle. A richly textured, nail-biting evocation of the Western Front."

This is a photo gallery of every type of aircraft flown by 6 Squadron Royal Flying Corps during WW1 as well as giving the technical specifications of each aircraft During the years of WW1, if you count every variant, 6 Squadron operated twenty four different types of aircraft! Quite an achievement over the relatively short period of four years, when new aircraft were constantly being developed in order to keep up with the technological advances made by the German air force. In the RAF these days, where most squadrons fly a single type - in the case of 6 Squadron the Eurofighter Typhoon - it is hard to imagine a single squadron flying fighters, bombers and reconnaissance aircraft all at the same time on a wide variety of missions. It was only when 6 Squadron was re-equiped with the Royal Aircraft Factory RE8 reconnaissance / bomber (this took place during the months of March and April 1917) that the squadron finally had on charge a single type of aircraft. Since then, the squadron has mostly maintained a single type philosophy, with two or three exceptions during the thirties and forties where it had two or three types of aircraft on charge at the same time. 6 Squadron Aircraft (1914 - 1918) Maurice Farman MF7 Longhorn Maurice Farman MF7 "Longhorn". The Longhorn was only flown by 6 Squadron in England, prior to the squadron being deployed to the Western Front on the 7th October 1914. Royal Aircraft Factory BE2 The early model BE2 (as opposed to the later variants) was only flown by 6 Squadron in England, prior to the squadron being deployed to the Western Front on the 7th October 1914 Length: 28' 4", Wingspan: 38' 8", Speed: 72.5 mph, Engine: 70 hp Renault V-8 Maurice Farman MF11 Shorthorn Maurice Farman MF11 "Shorthorn". The Shorthorn was only flown by 6 Squadron in England, prior to the squadron being deployed to the Western Front on the 7th October 1914. Length: 32' 4", Wingspan: 53' 5 1/4", Speed: 53 mph, Engine: 80 hp Renault V-inline Royal Aircraft Factory RE1 This RE1, one of only two RE1s built, was flown by 6 Squadron before the squadron went to France on 07/10/1914. It was used as a prototype, with changes progressively made to reduce weight as well as improve stability and manoeuvrability (ailerons instead of wing warping and increased dihedral etc) – changes that would later be incorporated into the BE2c. Royal Aircraft Factory RE5 The RE5 was only flown by 6 Squadron in England, prior to the squadron being deployed to the Western Front on the 7th October 1914 Royal Aircraft Factory BE8 This is a photo of an actual BE8 flown by 6 Squadron. Length: 27' 4 1/4", Wingspan: 37' 8", Speed: 70 mph, Engine: 80 hp Gnome Rotary Henry Farman F20 Henry Farman F20 Length: 26' 9", Wingspan: 44' 6", Speed: 65 mph, Engine: 80 hp Gnome Rotary Monosoupape Royal Aircraft Factory BE2a Royal Aircraft Factory BE2a Length: 28' 4", Wingspan: 36' 11 1/8", Speed: 74 mph, Engine: 70 hp Renault V-8 Bleriot XI-2 Bleriot XI-2 Length: 27' 10", Wingspan: 33' 11", Speed: 66 mph, Engine: 70 hp Gnome Rotary Martinsyde S1 Martinsyde S1 Length: 21' 0", Wingspan: 27' 8", Speed: 84 mph, Engine: 80 hp Gnome Rotary Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c Length: 27' 3", Wingspan: 37' 0", Speed: 86 mph, Engine: 90 hp RAF 1a V-8 Royal Aircraft Factory FE2a Royal Aircraft Factory FE2a. This actual aircraft was flown by 6 Squadron, the photograph taken at the squadron's aerodrome at Abeele. Length: 32' 3", Wingspan: 47' 9"", Speed: 80 mph, Engine: 120 hp Beardmore 6 Cyl Bristol Scout C Bristol Scout C Length: 20' 8", Wingspan: 24' 7", Speed: 100 mph, Engine: 90 hp Le Rhone 9 Cyl Rotary Martinsyde G100 Elephant Martinsyde G100 "Elephant", used by 6 Squadron for field evaluation. Length: 26' 6", Wingspan: 38' 0", Speed: 104 mph, Engine: 120 hp Beardmore 6 Cyl Royal Aircraft Factory FE2b Royal Aircraft Factory FE2b. Length: 32' 3", Wingspan: 47' 9", Speed: 80 mph, Engine: 120 hp or 160 hp Beardmore 6 Cyl Royal Aircraft Factory BE2e Royal Aircraft Factory BE2e. The BE2e was similar to the BE2f (which used a BE2c fuselage) and the BE2g (which used a BE2d fuselage). Length: 27' 3", Wingspan: 40' 6", Speed: 90 mph, Engine: 90 hp RAF 1a V-8 Royal Aircraft Factory RE8 Royal Aircraft Factory RE8 Length: 27' 10 1/2", Wingspan: 42' 7" (upper), 32' 7 1/2" (lower), Speed: 103 mph, Engine: 140 hp RAF 4a V-12

Aerial photos of destructive shoots on enemy batteries along Klijtgatstraat (east of Klein-Zillebeke), taken by a 6 Squadron RE8 prior to the Battle of Messines 6 Squadron Aerial Photos - Destructive Shoot at Klijtgatstraat The two photographs on Page 28 were taken by an RE8 of 6 Squadron, part of the squadron's aerial reconnaissance operations over the Western Front during WW1. The photographs were taken of a destructive shoot (before and after) on a hostile battery off the Klijtgatstraat, east of Klein-Zillebeke, defined by mapping coordinates 28. J. 31. C and 28. J. 31. B . (approximate present location in the middle of a field 50°48'57.3"N 2°57'04.8"E), prior to the Battle of Messines. The first photograph was taken on the 3rd May 1917 and the date of the second was 27th May 1917.