John Henry Colbert, 20 Squadron R.A.F.

[Testerchild]

Hi All,

Slightly OT, but I am in touch with John Colbert, the son of Lt. John Henry Colbert, RAF, who flew as a pilot with 20 Squadron from 29.03.18 to 07.09.18 and scored six victories on Bristol Fighters before being sent to Home Establishment.

John tells me that his Dad was still flying in 1933, albeit as a civilian, and after his father’s death (1966) John was told by his mother that his Dad had been ‘grounded’ following an incident at the Avon suspension bridge/Clifton suspension bridge (which I think are the same), possibly in 1933 or around that time. Family rumours suggest his dad may have tried to ‘loop’ the bridge or fly under it. His Mum simply said it was ‘a damn fool trick’.

If being grounded was official, with his pilot's certificate being withdrawn or some such thing, there should be a record of it somewhere.

This is a long shot, but is there anyone out there who might be able to shed further light on this, or advise me where I could start looking? John is as curious as I am, and has no objection to the question being raised.

Hoping,

Bob

[Frank_Olynyk]

Bob,
I would suggest a good place to start would be contemporary newspapers. The Times being an obvious choice. You shouldn't have any trouble finding the index to it for 1933, and microfilm copies. In particular, the PRO in Kew has both the index and a microfilm copy of the paper, and you can print out the relevent pages. If it didn't make The Times you will have to check more local papers. A good place for this is also in London. There is a newspaper library/archive opposite the Collindale underground station (the one you use for the RAF and Battle of Britain museums -- do not use the Hendon station for those two museums, you have a long walk up hill and down to get there, if you know the way in the first place). The newspaper library has original copies (and microfilm?) of many newspapers published throughout the UK, and you may be able to track down a local paper with a story (and followup) on the incident. I think the library is actually part of the British Museum.

Having said that, can I ask you for some information on John Henry Colbert, that his son can surely supply? I have his date of birth as November 19, 1894, but I do not have the place. Nor do I have his date and place of death. Could you ask his son for these details?

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Testerchild]

Frank,

Thanks for the advice. I do not yet have the exact date of death, but the details I do have are: Born Flower Road, Colombo 1894, died Chertsey, Surrey 1966. Was married twice and had four children: Lilian, Claud, Leonard and John, all by the second marriage. I'll contact John for the precise dates if you need them.

With regard to the 'incident', I'll do as you suggest but time is always the enemy. It would be useful if I knew the exact date - or the year - when it happened. Unfortunately, John Colbert only knows that it was 'around' 1933 or so.

Does anyone know if there is actually a list of all pilots licences/certificates from around that time? I'm thinking that the withdrawal of a licence, if that is what happened, should be recorded officially somewhere.

Cheers,

Bob

[normanf]

Frank - His Air 76 notes he was from Llangollen, N Wales. It is quite possible he was born elsewhere of course, as the addresses on Air 76s are usually those where the man was when he joined the colours. It would be nice to have his actual place of birth confirmed. Normanf

[Testerchild]

Norman and Frank,

My info for the birth being in Colombo comes from Colbert's son. But I'll e-mail him to verify if you like?

Bob

[Frank_Olynyk]

Bob,
I would appreciate it if you would verify the actual dates and places of birth and death. When you say "Flower Road, Colombo" are you referring to Ceylon?

With regard to locating the incident, I would start with the Times index. Check his name, then check Aviation, and the name(s) of the bridge. Finally, I remember that someone posted a link to The Aeroplane online. I don't know if that covered only the WW1 years, or if it continued on into WW2. That again would be a source to check, especially if online. Try his name, and the name(s) of the bridge.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Testerchild]

Frank,

Thanks for the further advice.

I've just e-mailed John Colbert, and I'll get back with his reply asap.

Regards,

Bob

[Testerchild]

Frank and Norman,

John Colbert has just got back to me with a copy of his Dad's birth certificate. Clearly states John H Colbert born 19.11.1894 Flower Road, Colombo, Ceylon.

Apparently the family moved back to England, to Bath, in 1907. In 1917 they were living in Cheshire, and in 1918 lived at Llangollen in Wales. So it seems Norman was right in surmising that the people who wrote the Air 76 records all those years back simply assumed he was born at the place his parents now lived.

He died at Chertsey, Surrey on 1st July 1967.

John has also told me that his father originally joined the RFC as a mechanic in 1915. I'm planning to visit Kew this Friday and will see whether his WO file (as he was posted to 20 Squadron RFC just before it became RAF) has anything else of interest.

Meantime, thanks for the helpful advice and Happy New Year to both of you.

Bob

[Frank_Olynyk]

Bob,
Many thanks for the information on Colbert's dates and places of birth and death. One more hole in my database filled in. And Norman's, and The Aerodrome's as well.

If you are interested, I can give you reference in the PRO to six of Colbert's seven combat reports. I have not cataloged his first, which Above the Trenches notes. But I have more than 25,000 pictures of combat reports and Squadron Record Books (etc.) to go through and catalog, something I will be working on for much of this year.

Happy New Year.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Testerchild]

Frank,

I have seen Colbert's C/R's for 31.05.18 (2 reports), 24.07.18, and 29.07.18; and a summary by Captain Lale for 21.08.1918 - which I think was Colbert's last.

If you know the reference for his first on 18.05.18, and his own report for 21.08.1918 (rather than Lale's summary), that would be very helpful.

Good luck with the workload!

Best wishes

Bob