Tragic RAF 55 Squadron Fatalities at Sulaymaniyah Iraq 1931

Ninety-five years ago on the 23rd March 1931, The crew of a 55 Squadron Wapiti that crashed into trees at Sulaymaniah, Kurdistan, Iraq were both killed. Their bodies were transported back to RAF Hinaidi where they were buried side by side at the Hinaidi RAF Peace Cemetery, now known as the Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemetery. The pilot Sergeant William Anthony was buried in Plot 1 Row B Grave 3 and his observer / gunner AC1 Robert Nicholas was buried in Plot 1 Row B Grave 2. No photo exists of the original graves or headstones but fragments of both headstones have survived to this day. May they rest in peace. For more details refer to the Ma'Asker RAF Cemetery section of Steve Buster Johnson's website. See also the section on 55 Squadron's role while based at RAF Hinaidi

Surviving Headstone fragments for AC2 Robert Nicholas of 55 Squadron, buried at Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemetery, Baghdad

Surviving Headstone for Sgt William Anthony of 55 Squadron, buried at Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemetery, Baghdad