Noel Parry Davies

 April’s Fools Day, 1918, the Royal Air Force was established after the merger of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service.  Its motto is “Per Ardua as Astra” (Through Adversity to the Stars).  At the time, in 1918, the RAF was the biggest air force in the world, however, it wasn’t the oldest, the Finnish Air Force, which was established in March 1918.

Noel Parry Davies

One of the earliest pilots to have been killed, was Noel Parry Davies, on 8^th April 1918.  Noel was ranked Lieutenant and aged 18.

There is very little information regarding Noel, in the form of Census records, the only one is that of 1911.

1911 Census

1911, Noel, 12, is recorded have been born in Singapore, and is living with his widowed mother, Elizabeth Jane, 50, and sister, Phyllis, 17, at 29 Ffynone Terrace.  Also present is grandmother, Mary Jane Pickard, 79.

RAF Officer Service Record

The other record is Noel’s RAF Officer Service Record.  This record names his sister Phyllis as the Next of Kin.  The record stated 8^th April when he was killed.

So, what happened on the 8^th?

B.E.2e B4556

RAF Turnhouse, Edinburgh. Lieutenant Noel Parry Davies and George Armitage Bird were flying a B.E.2e B4556, on a cross-county flight to North Queensferry, when the aircraft stalled and nose-dived.  Noel was killed whilst George was injured.

Daily Record

Dundee Courier

The local Scottish papers, Daily Record and Dundee Courier published articles about the accident.

Scottish death certificates, unlike death certificates in England and Wales, name both the person’s parents.

Scottish death certificates

April 12^th, Noel was buried with full military honours at Bethel Welsh Congregational Chapel.

The Cambria Daily Leader

Whilst The Cambria Daily Leader published an article about Noel’s funeral. There isn’t a military headstone at Noel’s grave.