My Grandfather's Squadron

I recently inherited my grandfather's log book as well as a photo of him standing beside his Sopwith Camel which was named "Sioux". From various documents, including an RAF list of personal property upon being shot down on August 12, 1918, I've determined that Lieutenant Salter C. J. Askin was with No.204 Squadron, No.61 Wing. In a diary he kept while a prisoner of war he mentions a pilot named Hill (possibly his Squadron Leader) who was shot down in the same engagement. If anyone has more information about this squadron, I'd really be keen to know.
I have also come across a bit of a puzzle I'm hoping some one can resolve for me. In his log book my grandfather mentions that the "Sioux I Sopwith Camel B3869" was returned to depot on completion of 190 hrs flying time on June 18, 1918. That same day he took delivery of "Sioux II Nieuport Camel C 72 with B.R. 79 High Compression". Has any one ever heard of a "Nieuport Camel"? I haven't.

J Askin
Ontario Canada

[Frank_Olynyk]

Lt. Richard Alexander Gathorne Hill, 204 Sqn, pilot, KIA 12 August 1918, in Camel D6624; no known grave.

204 Sqn CO in August 1918 was Maj. Ernest William Norton, DSC.

A "Nieuport Camel" is one built under contract by the Nieuport & General Aircraft Co Ltd, Cricklewood. There were a number of different companies which built the Camel, not just Sopwith.

The usual sources: The Camel File, Above the Trenches, The Sky Their Battlefield, Airmen Died in the Great War.

Frank

A quick search of an internal database of Canadian airmen of the First World War held by the National Archives of Canada showed Salter Charles Askin as a pilot with 204 Squadron from 1 August 1918. This database had been converted from cards held by the Directorate of History and Heritage, DND, which were themselves probably produced from the Registers now in Air 76 at the Public Record Office in England. S.C. Askin was shot down and made prisoner of war, 12 August 1918. He had joined the Royal Flying Corps, 27 August 1917, from the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The database gives his birth date as 14 September 1898 and his town of origin as Windsor, Ontario. He was a student before enlisting.

For Canadian airmen who were transfers from the CEF, it is possible to search their CEF personnel file at the National Archives of Canada: (http://www.archives.ca) A copy of S.C. Askin's file (RG 150, Acc. 1992-93/166 Box 273, File 31) can be ordered from the Archives at a nominal cost. The ArchiviaNet search tool to the CEF on the site includes copies of the front and back of Askin's original Attestation Form for the CEF, and this can be download. His birth date is given here as 14 September 1899. He had enlisted in March 1916 at Fort William, Ontario. His mother's address, Emily Askin, 59 Church Street, Windsor, Ontario is also given.

I trust this additional information will prove helpful.

Timothy Dubé
Military Archivist
Canadian Archives Branch
National Archives of Canada
tdube@archives.ca
(613) 996-7469

Maybe 'Sioux II Nieuport'was a name? or at least Sioux II. Your not a indian are you, of the Sioux tribe? your grandfather wasn't the only one to associated his A/C with the Sioux warriors, Escadrille Layfette also painted there nieports, spads with a Sioux headress.

No. 204 Sqn RAF was, prior to April 1, 1918 No. 4 Naval of the RNAS. They flew primarily Sopwith Pups (March - June 1917) and then Camels June 1917 - Feb 1919).

This is from:
http://british-forces.com/cig/squadrons/squads/204.html

Jefford has a complete listing of the bases that 204 RAF flew from in WWI. If it is of interest I can post it later tonight.

Miles Constable
Canadian Air Aces and Heroes
http://www.constable.ca