Looking for Sopwith Camel pilot

Hi, I've been looking for information on my grandad. He flew a Sopwith Camel for 152nd Squadron in WWI. The plane was named was "May Mischief" No.13. It had H742 on its tail fin. He flew over France 1917-1919 (night fighting scouts) RNAS/RAF/BEF. Lieut, A.I.MEACHAM.
I believe he received a comendation for first cutting a rectangular hole in his upper wing and also opening out the scallop shaped hole to a rectangle to the width of two ribs of the wing. He was presented with a solid sterling silver model of his plane to comemerate the occasion,it was from the inscription on the plane that I got all the info on his squad & plane. I have photos of his real plane and the cockpit with his mascot a teddy bear named "PIMPI"
also photos of the model appx 8 inch wingspan.
I can't seem to find any info in writing relating to him or his squad other than the 152nd flew out of Carvan Airfield France IN 1918. My dad tells me he also took off from the decks of ships but I would like to know which ones when, where & how many battles. He took photos of dog fights air to air with a box brownie camera strapped to his chest,three complete photo albums were loaned to the "Freemantle Aeronautical Musuem Western Australia" to be reproduced but were never returned my father had no recipt he works on trust and now regrets it.
After grandad died of cancer (not the war) dad donated a lot of memrobilla to the museum including a propeller which had a bullet hole right through it which the musuem patched there ends a story and it became just anoother prop. Please help me find some facts or written proof that my grandad existed thanks, Philm.

[MikeW]

philm,

152 squadron was formed at Rochford in June 18, as a nightfighter unit. Moved to France in October for the last couple of weeks of the war. By then the German air service had little fuel and did not use what it had on night raids, so 152 was not in action.

Camel H742 was with No. 37 sqn at Stow Maries (in Kent despite the French sounding name) from 31st august 1918. Your grandfather Lt. AI Meacham turned it over on its nose when landing at Manston on 1st September 1918. It was repaired on the 18th September, and placed on the strength of 152 sqn at Rochford on the 9th October 1918.

Doesn't help much, but does prove he existed. There will be a service record at the PRO in London - are you in Oz? You might have to pay a researcher to dig it out for you.

The references I have just used are Sopwith Camel Squadrons by Les Rogers, pub by Albatros, and The Camel File by sturdivant and Page, pub by Air Britain. You really need to get back to primary sources at the PRO.

Does that museum at freemantle still exist? If it does I would go and kick some backsides. Receipt or no - they wouldn't want you getting such information into the local papers, now would they?

Good luck with your search, and please let us know what you find.

Mike

There is no such organisation as the Fremantle (single 'e') Aeronautical Musuem Western Australia. There has never been an organisation named this either.

The nearest thing to it would be the RAAF Association Museum at Bullcreek in Western Australia. http://www.raafawa.org.au/ They have a fair bit of WW1 memorabillia mostly connected to West Australian members of the AFC/RFC/RAF. Try dropping them a line for a (long) shot at getting the albums back.

Bullcreek is about 15km east of Fremantle.

First I wish to appologise for getting my so called facts all wrong, I have just spent a great deal of time on the phone to my dad quizing him for info.
Then I would like to thank you for such prompt and informative replies.
Now for the info,Grandad was born JAN 30 1898 died NOV 17 1968. His full name was "Alan Illingworth Meacham". His Airforce parafanalia was donated in the last year of his life not after his death as previously stated.The museum was in fact the "RAAF Association Aviation Heritage Museum" in Bull Creek Western Australia. The donations were made to Mr Frank Purser (now deceased) I'm told the museum was just founding at this time.In addition to the propeller there was an altimeter, wing struts, a flying jacket, log journals and a letter he wrote to his mother "Florence Peploe Meacham" whilst flying from one place to another whithin England.
In reguard to the photo albums there were five in total two were donated to the museum and three were retained by my father. Not long after Frank Purser approached my dad and requested to borrow the three albums so that an American Air Force Historian (name unknown) could reproduce them in order to aid his research. The albums have never been seen since by theyre rightfull owner.
When I learn how to scan them I shall attach the few photos that I have I mentioned in my first letter, one shot is of the plane showing clearly the modifications described, one of the cockpit and the rest of the model and its inscriptions.
P.S. I can spell Fremantle it was a typo besides locals call it "Freo". Thanks again Philm.

P.S. I can spell Fremantle it was a typo besides locals call it "Freo". Thanks again Philm.

That's okay mate, I'm a Freo boy born and bred. (Though I don't live there anymore)

G,DAY SPINNER,
Its allways nice to hear from someone near home.I was born in Cottesloe & grew up at "Rocko", thats Rockingham to those who aren't aware,the land of the swinging pig. But now i'm a Queeeennslaannderrrr. Philm.