Info about 2Lt William Rhodes-Moorhouse needed.

[Ross_Moorhouse]

Hi all,

I came across this person 2Lt William Rhodes-Moorhouse, first RFC VC and would like to know more about him. Mainly to see if I am related to him.

[Graeme]

Ross

Monday, 26 April 1915 - during the Second Battle of Ypres, the immediate destruction was ordered of the railway line at Courtrai Junction in an effort to prevent the deployment up of German reinforcements. Lt W B Rhodes-Moorhouse, 2 Sqn, set off at 15:05 and dropped his single 100 lb bomb on the railway lines near the station from a height of only 30 feet and despite intense rifle and machine gun fire from the ground. The fuselage of the BE2 was peppered by bomb splinters and bullets and Rhodes-Moorhouse was severely injured in the thigh, stomach and hand. Despite his injuries he flew 35 miles back to Merville at low altitude, landing there at 16:15, barely conscious. He insisted on reporting the successful accomplishment of his mission before his wounds were treated; he died in hospital the following day and the award of a posthumous Victoria Cross was announced in the London Gazette of 22 May:

RHODES-MOORHOUSE, 2nd Lieutenant William Barnard; Special Reserve, No 2 Sqn Royal Flying Corps;

For most conspicuous bravery on 26th April, 1915, in flying to Courtrai and dropping bombs on the railway line near that station. On starting the return journey he was mortally wounded, but succeeded in flying for 35 miles to his destination, at a very low altitude, and reported the successful accomplishment of his object. He has since died of his wounds.

A biography appears in Chaz Bowyer's book "For Valour: The Air VCs".

Graeme

[Ross_Moorhouse]

Cheers for the info Graeme. I asked my father and he dosnt believe that we are related to the Rhodes-Moorhouses. :-[