As part of the Centenary of the RAF a service of
commemoration recently took place at Westminster Abbey, followed by a parade
and spectacular flypast, involving 100 aircraft, over Buckingham Palace. The RAF was formed from the Royal Flying
Corps and Royal Naval Air Service, fighting effectively in WWI from 1st
April 1918 in support of ground forces over the Western Front. At least 18 of
our OGs who fell in WWI were airmen, including four RNAS, many transferring
from the Army to train as observers late in 1917/early 1918. We have recently commemorated the lives of OG
airmen Richard Rumsby, Douglas Wells, Alec Malcolm and Arthur Estcourt who all
lost their lives a hundred years ago serving with the RAF. Pictured below is Charles Douglas Wells.
