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Copt Hall
The RFC pilot was 2nd Lt Alfred de Bath Brandon, MC. Born 21 July 1883 and educated at Wellington College, New Zealand and Trinity College, Cambridge, he was Mentioned in Despatches on three occasions.
L33's bombs fell upon Bromley-by-Bow, Bow and Stratford, setting fire to a lumber yard and an oil depot while demolishing a row of houses in which six people were killed and a further 12 injured. Also hit was the "Black Swan" public house, four of its patrons being killed.
Attacking the airship over Chelmsford, Brandon fired a whole drum of Brock, Pomeroy and Sparklet (SPK Mk VII-T), reloaded and fired a further nine rounds before the Lewis gun jammed. Brandon lost sight of the airship while attempting the clear the jam.
It is said that the airship touched the earth only 60 feet from a labourer's cottage in a field between Little Wigborough and Peldon.
Also lost that night was L32, commanded by Oberleutnant Werner Peterson, which was hit by the gun at Tunnel Farm then attacked by 2nd Lieutenant Frederick Sowrey. His first two drums of ammunition appeared to have no effect but upon firing a third, the airship caught fire in a number of places and fell slowly to earth. L32 hit the ground at Snail's Hall Farm, Great Burstead, south of Billericay, where it burned for almost an hour.
Both pilots received the Distinguished Service Order:
FROM THE SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE OF TUESDAY, THE 3RD OF OCTOBER, 1916
PUBLISHED ON WEDNESDAY, 4 OCTOBER, 1916
War Office,
4th October, 1916.
His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to appoint the undermentioned Officers Companions of the Distinguished Service Order, in recognition of their gallantry and distinguished service in connection, with the successful attack on Enemy Airships:—
2nd Lt. Frederick Sowrey, R. Fus., attd. R.F.C.
2nd Lt. Alfred de Bath Brandon, M.C., R.F.C., Spec. Res.
Graeme
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