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The Wartime Memories Project - The Great War - 79 Squadron RFC
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The Wartime Memories Project - The Great War - 79 Squadron RFC
79 Squadron RFC was formed on the 1st of August,1917 at Gosport, Hampshire as a fighter squadron equipped with Sopwith Dolphins. 79 became an Operational Squadron on the 8th of August, 1917 and flying from Beaulieu, Hampshire. They saw action on the Western front during 1918 and on the 15th of July, 1919 79 Squadron was disbanded. Airfields at which 79 squadron were based:
- Gosport, Hampshire 1st to 8th Aug 1917
- Beaulieu, Hampshire. from 8th Aug 1917
- St Omer. 20th to 22nd February 1918
- Estrée-Blanche 22 February 1918 to
- Champien 5th to 22nd March 1918
- Cachy 22nd to 24th March 1918
- Beauvois 24th March to 16th May 1918
- Ste Marie Cappel 16th May 1918 to 22 October 1918
- Reckem 22 October 1918 to 26th November 1918
- Nivelle 26th November 1918 to 26th December 1918
- Bickendorf 26th December 1918 to July 1919
I attended a private school, Norwood College, in Harrogate, between 1945 and 1956. The owner and headmaster was Gordon William George Cass who created the school in 1936; it closed in 1972 and Mr Cass died in 1976.
I created a web site for the school a few years ago and have been gradually building up information about the building and of "Charlie" Cass. My web site is at http://www.aeden.plus.com/norwood/ncfront.htm The accounts of his time at Hooton Park are under FIRST WORLD WAR EXPERIENCES and also ROYAL FLYING CORPS.
Charlie was born in Scarborough in 1898. Aged 19, Charlie, now Private M/284791, was mobilized from the Army Reserve on 16 January,1917, then posted to the Army Service Corps (ASC) on 22 January when he joined the Motor Transport (MT) section at Grove Park, London SE. Within a few days, on 29 January, he had been "tested" in the Workshops and his Trade was given as Learner Fitter. Charlie mentions in his ASC memories, his time at Larkhill on Salisbury Plain followed by a second sojourn at Grove Park. Larkhill is now the home of the Royal School of Artillery. In his handwritten summary, dated 6 June,1917, of his "practical experience" he says that he spent "five weeks in the Motor Repair Shop at Larkhill Camp (ASC) Salisbury Plain". The only mention of Larkhill in the records to hand is that he was at "S of A" from 19 October,1917. During the next few months Charlie would have learnt to drive; he passed his Learners Test on 19 May and was reclassified as "Lt Car Driver" the following day. Five days after this, on 24 May, he had filled in the application form to join the Royal Flying Corps as an officer. He learned to fly at Hooton Park. He joined 79 Sqn which saw action in France and Belgium.
Those who served with 79 Squadron during The Great War
- 2nd Lt Gordon William George "Charlie" Cass Read his Story
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