Ernest John Radcliffe

Second Lieutenant Ernest John Radcliffe – Royal Flying Corps

The verdict was “Accidental Death.”

Ernest John Radcliffe was born in 1895 in Harringay, London, the son of Henry Ernest Radcliffe and Katie Maria Francis, who were married in 1893 at St John the Evangelist Church, Finsbury Park, Gloucester Drive, Hackney, London.

1901 Census

According to the 1901 Census, the Radcliffe family were living at 5 Albion Road, Hornsey, London. Henry, aged 33, was employed as a Managing Clerk at a hotel, and Katie, also 33, managed the home. Their children were six-year-old twins, Ernest J. and Katie M. Also living with them was Catherine Francis, aged 70, Henry’s mother-in-law.

1911 Census

By the 1911 Census, the family had moved to 62 Dukes Avenue, Muswell Hill, London N. Henry, now 43, was a Hotel Wine Department Manager, and Katie, also 43, was at home. Their twin children, Ernest John, aged 16, was working as a Junior Clerk for a Public Company, while Katie Alice was still at school. Also residing in the household were Catherine Francis, now 80, and Lilian Wilson, an 18-year-old domestic servant.

Ernest later joined the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), holding the rank of Second Lieutenant, and was attached to the General List. Previously a member of the London Regiment (Territorial Force), he received his commission on 15^th January 1916.

Maurice Farman MF.20

On 20^th February 1916, while serving with No. 2 (Reserve) Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, at RFC Brooklands, Weybridge, Surrey, Second Lieutenant Radcliffe was flying a Maurice Farman MF.20 biplane when a fatal accident occurred. The MF.20 was a two-seat pusher trainer aircraft, constructed of wood and fabric, and commonly used for early pilot instruction. Although reliable for basic training, it was difficult to handle and prone to instability during turns — accidents like Radcliffe’s were sadly common among trainee pilots.

According to reports, the aircraft side-slipped, struck a house near the aerodrome, caught fire, and was completely destroyed. The young pilot, aged only 21, was killed instantly.

The circumstances of his death were reported in The Times, under the headline “Army Airman’s Death at Brooklands.”

“An inquest was held at Byfleet yesterday on the body of Second Lieutenant Ernest John Radcliffe, of the Royal Flying Corps [Private from The London Regiment, Territorial Force, commissioned 15th January, 1916], who was killed while flying at Brooklands on Sunday.

The officer commanding at Brooklands said Mr. Radcliffe, who was 21 years of age, was gazetted on January 15. He had passed the elementary flight under dual control and had flown alone for an hour.

Evidence was given by a flight commander to the effect that when completing a second circuit of the aerodrome, the Maurice Farman biplane, which was a new one, ‘banked’ on the right wing. In order to rectify matters the pilot increased the ‘banking,’ and this resulted in a side-slip. The biplane struck a house outside the aerodrome. The petrol burst into flames, igniting and destroying the biplane. Mr. Radcliffe’s body was badly burned.

A verdict of ‘Accidental Death’ was returned. Mr. Radcliffe was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Radcliffe, of Muswell Hill.”

Brooklands Airfield

Brooklands, near Weybridge, Surrey, was one of the birthplaces of British aviation and served as a major Royal Flying Corps training base during the First World War. Originally a motor racing circuit opened in 1907, it became Britain’s first purpose-built aerodrome and a centre for pilot training and aircraft testing. Conditions were perilous, and accidents were frequent as young airmen learned to fly fragile machines like the Maurice Farman MF.20 under minimal instruction.

Burial and Commemoration

Ernest John Radcliffe
St Pancras Cemetery
credit - findagrave

Second Lieutenant Ernest John Radcliffe was buried with full military honours at St Pancras Cemetery, London. His service, though brief, took place at a crucial moment in the development of military aviation, when courage and experimentation defined the men of the Royal Flying Corps.

His name is recorded on the Roll of Honour of the former Methodist Church, Mumbles, which commemorates local men who gave their lives during the First World War. During the dedication of the memorial on 21^st October 1920, Mr George Leaker, a leading member of the church, specifically mentioned “Ernest Radcliffe, our Deputy Organist”, acknowledging his role within the congregation and his service to the community before joining the Royal Flying Corps.

This tribute explains why Radcliffe is remembered in Mumbles — not merely as a name on a plaque, but as a valued member of the Methodist Church and its musical life, whose talents and service were deeply missed.

His story stands as a tribute to the bravery of the early airmen whose pioneering spirit helped shape the future of the Royal Air Force and modern aviation itself.