WW1 Canadian Aviator Question

[grndevil44]

He was in 206 Squadron. Is that what you meant? Also, how do I access those logs?

here is a link to names

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/r...ficers-ww1.htm

I couldnt find him, unless his DOB is wrong?

the site is hard to navigate and I cant find where I saw the squadron records

[SteelhelmJim]

Many British military records were destroyed at one point, so all soldier's records are not there. The Canadians do have some record of him, but his whole military file may no longer exist. But thanks for the effort.

[grndevil44]

Many British military records were destroyed at one point, so all soldier's records are not there. The Canadians do have some record of him, but his whole military file may no longer exist. But thanks for the effort.

no problem, thats what I understand also, being destroyed

[Viscount]

Yes, there are many variations of the German flight/motorcycle helmet. The difficulty is dating these items. Not once have I seen a date.

Many WW1 british records were destroyed by German bombing in 1940. They were held at Kew in west London.

Best Regards,
Bob.

[SteelhelmJim]

Viscount, that definitely is the difficulty.

[SteelhelmJim]

Here are parts of 1917 Resistal ads, which show the same glasses and the same label that is on them. While I'm sure that these glasses were probably still sold after the war, the ads do confirm that they were available during the war. Lt. Christian, being from Canada, and serving on the Western Front for the last four months of the war, may very well have purchased these in the US before shipping out. All of his victories occurred between May 19 and August 1, 1918. On July 29 he shot three planes within 10 hours. And on August 1 he shot down his last two planes in the same fight. These last five victories were all Fokker DVIIs. Now if I can just connect up the German flight helmet with one of his victories, I'll be in cats heaven :-)http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...1&d=1373057121

[SteelhelmJim]

And this, from a comment by wingandprop, on The Aerodrome forum, 2012: "It should also be remembered that a number of aviators, particularly German aircrew, used captured British kit, including coats, helmets, goggles, fug boots, etc., and it would surprise me if the Allied aircrew did not sometimes do the reverse. I don't think of that so much as cross pollination, however, as I think of it as the wolves trying on the sheep's clothing."

[SteelhelmJim]

Well, it looks like no one among the several hundred people who have looked at this thread can confirm, one way or the other, the truth about my stuff. So, I guess I will just enjoy it, and go with the original premise that the items are authentic, and that the son wrote the letter, and the king sent the well-wishes, and that the helmet and goggles belonged to Leonard Christian, who wore them in The Great War. Until someone can prove to me that these things are not possible, I will enjoy the possibility that they are the real thing, even if I can't prove it :-)

[Viscount]

Indeed. Wise words.

Best Regards,
Bob.

[SteelhelmJim]

It seems that there were plenty of opportunities to pick up a German flight helmet. This was the title of a photograph: "Air and ground crews of A Flight, Armistice Day, 11th November 1918 at the former German air-field at Linselles, occupied by 206 Squadron on 24th October 1918." And then at a German airfield in Bickendorf, where 206 Squadron served as an occupation unit after the Armistice. This airfield still contained a Rumpler and Fokker DVII, as well as others.