Ma'Asker Al Raschid Cemetery, Death of a WW1 Ace in 1926

Headstone of WW1 Ace, Flt Lt Reginald Brading DFC (and bar), MiD

One of the most experienced Royal Air Force officers who fought and died in Iraq 'between the wars' was buried at Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemetery (formerly the Hinaidi RAF Cemetery). Out of the total of 300 burials, the headstone for the Station Commandant of RAF Basrah, Flight Lieutenant Reginald C Brading DFC MiD, who died whilst flying as a passenger in a Vickers Vernon aircraft that crashed on taking off from RAF Hinaidi on the 26th July 1926 (seven men were killed in the accident) was one of the 77 headstones (complete or partial) that have survived at the long abandoned cemetery. As can be seen from the attached photo he was buried in Plot 3 Row K Grave 6.

Here is an abbreviated summary of the military career of Fl Lt Brading:

22/05/17 Joined the RNAS at age 18 and trained as a pilot, 11/12/17 Posted to 201 Squadron (re-formed from 1 RNAS Sqn), flying Sopwith Camels and sent overseas to Teteghem on 16/02/18, 02/05/18 Credited with shooting down his first enemy aircraft whilst flying Sopwith Camel Serial B6421, 23/07/18 Promoted to Captain (flight commander), 02/11/18 Awarded the DFC after downing his 7th enemy aircraft, 03/12/18 Awarded a Bar to his DFC after his 13th and final victory in WW1 (16/09/18), for continued skill, daring and bravery as a patrol leader, 11/01/19 Posted to Home Establishment as a Lieutenant, 31/03/20 Mentioned in Despatches for his flying achievements against the Bolsheviks in Russia, 02/07/21 Took part in the 3rd RAF Pageant as part of an aerobatics display with other WW1 ‘ace’ pilots, 01/06/22 Crashed his Sopwith Snipe F2386 at Uphaven after he accidentally turned off the petrol tap with his foot, 19/11/23 Posted to 19 Squadron at Duxford, 03/10/24 Whilst flying Sopwith Snipe E8245, he collided with an Avro that was practicing landings, 16/03/25 Posted to 41 Squadron, Northolt, as a flying officer, 18/11/25 Posted to RAF HQ Basrah as Station Commandant, 26/07/26 Passenger (reasons unknown) in Vickers Vernon J7143 that crashed taking-off from RAF Hinaidi on 1 Sqn hangar.