Ma'Asker Al Raschid Cemetery, RAF 30 squadron Death in Baghdad 1930

In 1930, Flight Lieutenant John Marsh Burd MC of the 30 (Bomber) Squadron Royal Air Force was based at Mosul in Northern Iraq when he was seconded to the RAF Armoured Car Wing based at RAF Hinaidi in Baghdad. He became ill in October 1930 and was admitted to the RAF General Hospital, but unfortunately died from "abdominal problems" on the 12th October 1930. He was buried in the Commonwelth War Graves Commission maintained Hinaidi RAF Cemetery (now known as the Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemetery) in Plot 1 Row B Grave 9. Of the 300 burials at Ma'Asker only 77 identifiable headstones (complete or partial) have survived and John Burd's is one of them (see attached image).

There is more to John Burd's legacy than merely a broken headstone as he died a seasoned WW1 veteran in both the British Army and the Royal Flying Corps / Royal Air Force, a service that continued until his death in 1930. Here is a summary of his military career.

On the 10th February 1915, John Burd graduated from the Royal Military Academy as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery and served in action on the Western Front. On the 25th October 1915 he was seconded into the Royal Flying Corp as 2nd Lieutenant and early in 1916 returned to England for flight training. On the 17th March 1917 he was posted to 55 Squadron stationed at Fienvillers, France, flying a DH4. On the 30th June 1917 he was given a temporary posting to 18 Squadron stationed at Baizieux, France, flying the FE2b fighter/bomber. On the 17th August 1917, Flt Lt John Burd was promoted to Flight Commander and (temp) Captain. Three months later on the 13th November 1917 he was awarded the Military Cross for devotion to duty in more than 24 long distance bombing raids (shooting down three enemy aircraft in a single raid). On the 17th January 1918 notice of his 'Engagement to marry' was announced in Flight magazine. After remaining with the RAF after the end of WW1, on the 21st August 1919 he relinquished his commission and returned to Army duties with the Royal Field Artillery. On the 12th October 1922 he was granted the rank of Captain. On the 6th October 1923, he received a broken collar bone playing rugby whilst seconded to 402 Flight (the Royal Air Force Meteorological Flight) based at Eastchurch, England. On the 30th July 1925 he was sent to the RAF Training Base at Leuchars in Scotland on transfer to Home Establishment. On the 12th April 1927 Captain John Burd was posted to the School of Naval Cooperation, Lee-on-Solent. On the 1st November 1927 he resigned his Army commission as captain and is granted a permanent commission as a Flying Officer in the Royal Air Force and on the 1st January 1928 was promoted to Flight Lieutenant. On the 11th January 1929 whilst serving with 30 (Bomber) Squadron RAF at RAF Hinaidi in Iraq, he was seconded to the Armoured Car Wing headquarters at RAF Hinaidi where he remained until his death on the 12th October 1930.

Surviving headstone of Flt Lt John Marsh Burd at the Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemetery, Iraq