2nd Lieut. HB Begg RFC

[crankcase]

The father of a friend of mine circulated the following to his relatives. ANY INFO YOU CAN ADD IS WELCOME. (Note: I already corrected the reference to Boelcke, who was killed in October 1916).
marc

QUOTE
According to my research -
It was 93 years ago today, during the battle of the Somme, to be specific it was at about 10.00 hrs GMT (7.00 pm Melbourne time) on November 23rd, 1916, when your great uncle, Henry Berners Begg (Bernie) then 23 years of age, and a 2nd Lieutenant with No 24 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps, commanded by Major Lanoe G Hawker VC D S O, took off from Bertangles airfield near Bapaume in north-east France, flying a De Havilland 2 scout plane, to repel the German Jagstafflen 2 squadron, known as Jasta 2, and led by Hauptmann Oswald Boelke, and including the German ace, Rittmeister Baron Manfred Von Richthofen (the Red Baron).

In the dog fight that ensued with Von Richthofen's so-called flying circus, Bernie was shot down and killed at about 11.00 hrs GMT by German Lieutenant Dieter Collin; this action occured near the village of Morval, to the north of Amiens, France.

Major Hawker, regarded as the top British fighter ace of World War 1, was shot down and killed by Von Richtofen in another battle, later in the same day.

There is no known grave for Bernie, but his name is inscribed on the Flying Services Memorial, which is part of the Arras Memorial in Arras, France for British airmen who lost their lives in World War 1.

We should reflect that it is through the sacrifices of the likes of Bernie, that we enjoy our peace and freedom today.

My research continues
UNQUOTE

[crankcase]

Originally Posted by crankcase

The father of a friend of mine circulated the following to his relatives. ANY INFO YOU CAN ADD IS WELCOME. (Note: I already corrected the reference to Boelcke, who was killed in October 1916).
marc

QUOTE
According to my research -
It was 93 years ago today, during the battle of the Somme, to be specific it was at about 10.00 hrs GMT (7.00 pm Melbourne time) on November 23rd, 1916, when your great uncle, Henry Berners Begg (Bernie) then 23 years of age, and a 2nd Lieutenant with No 24 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps, commanded by Major Lanoe G Hawker VC D S O, took off from Bertangles airfield near Bapaume in north-east France, flying a De Havilland 2 scout plane, to repel the German Jagstafflen 2 squadron, known as Jasta 2, and led by Hauptmann Oswald Boelke, and including the German ace, Rittmeister Baron Manfred Von Richthofen (the Red Baron).

In the dog fight that ensued with Von Richthofen's so-called flying circus, Bernie was shot down and killed at about 11.00 hrs GMT by German Lieutenant Dieter Collin; this action occured near the village of Morval, to the north of Amiens, France.

Major Hawker, regarded as the top British fighter ace of World War 1, was shot down and killed by Von Richtofen in another battle, later in the same day.

There is no known grave for Bernie, but his name is inscribed on the Flying Services Memorial, which is part of the Arras Memorial in Arras, France for British airmen who lost their lives in World War 1.

We should reflect that it is through the sacrifices of the likes of Bernie, that we enjoy our peace and freedom today.

My research continues
UNQUOTE

Just wanted to keep a "spotlight" on this thread.
Pls add any context you can. The Begg family lives in Australia (Melbourne) and would be delighted to learn more.

I have informed them that Lt. Begg was Collin's first victory (total 13).
thanks!
marc

['14-'18aviationcollector]

Hi Marc,

I was not able to find a photograph of Lt Begg, and in fact most of my 24 Squadron photos seem to have been taken later in the war, but I was able to find a photo of a 24 Squadron DH2. The serial number is illegible, besides the fact that it ends in ...44. The reason the first portion of the serial number is illegible is that it has been painted on to the red of the rudder flash, and as I am sure you know, red and black appear to be very similar to each other in the old photos, so the first portion of the serial number is illegible unfortunately. If you think this particular DH2 might have any connection to Lt. Begg, I will be very happy to send a copy of it to you and / or to the family of Lt. Begg.

Regards,

David.

[crankcase]

David
That's great... at least it can be described as a DH2 attached to the squadron. Maybe hold on to the photo and will see how best it might be shared (scan upload or email). My friend's dad has the Forum coordinates and is looking in, so he may well see your message right now (well, whenever you guys wake up down under!).
marc

['14-'18aviationcollector]

G'day Marc!

I am very happy to hear that my photo might be of use to your friend and his family. The time given at the bottom of my page is 11:34 pm - GMT + 10 but in fact it's 12:35 - just after midnight. I tend to be up late some times, and very early in the morning other times. It depends entirely on how well or otherwise I am able to sleep at the time. Your friend will probably be on in about 6 or 7 hours I would guess, or maybe later in the day.

All the very best of wishes from Australia,

David.

[Graeme]

marc

2nd Lt H B Begg was a member of "C" Flight of No 24 Squadron, joining the unit on 22 October 1916; he was shot down while flying DH2 A2554.

DH2 A2544 was flown by Lt S C H Begbie of "B" Flight (he later flew with No 74 Squadron)

Graeme

[crankcase]

You guys are splendid!
My friend's dad expressed his delight at the responses!
Any more info is welcome (just can't get enough!)
marc
p.s. I'll ask if he has a photo of Lieut.Begg

[Graeme]

a bit more:

From the Supplement to the London Gazette of 10 August 1916:

The undermentioned to be 2nd Lts. (on prob.): —

1st Aug. 1916.

Henry Berners Begg.

and

from London Gazette number 29812 (3 November 1916):

ROYAL FLYING CORPS.

Mil. Wing.—The undermentioned appts. are made: —

Flying Officers.—

16th Oct. 1916.

2nd Lt. (on prob.) H. B. Begg, Spec. Res.

Graeme

[crankcase]

Originally Posted by '14-'18aviationcollector

Hi Marc,

I was not able to find a photograph of Lt Begg, and in fact most of my 24 Squadron photos seem to have been taken later in the war, but I was able to find a photo of a 24 Squadron DH2. The serial number is illegible, besides the fact that it ends in ...44. The reason the first portion of the serial number is illegible is that it has been painted on to the red of the rudder flash, and as I am sure you know, red and black appear to be very similar to each other in the old photos, so the first portion of the serial number is illegible unfortunately. If you think this particular DH2 might have any connection to Lt. Begg, I will be very happy to send a copy of it to you and / or to the family of Lt. Begg.

Regards,

David.

Hey David
Sent you a PM but your inbox is full!
Regarding the photo of the DH2. Any chance to post it?
Cheers
marc

[crankcase]

John Begg (nephew of Lt. Bernie Begg) shares with us a letter sent from France (below). Pls note that Bernie had a brother, Rivers, who served in the RNAS. More to come, thanks to John Begg.
marc

TRANSCRIPT OF LETTER
FROM

2ND LIEUT. H B BEGG C Flight, No 24 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps
TO
HIS FATHER AND MOTHER

France
20th [Month illegible, but almost certainly, October] 1916

My dear Father and Mother
My last letter to you was written on Friday just before I went out on patrol. Well, I have just got home. At least I did so last night. My machine was going beautifully and I had just had a good fight with a Hun machine and had dived from 10,000 ft to 4,000 ft when bang went my engine and I was helpless. I managed to glide back to almost a mile and a half behind ‘no-man’s-land’ in a mass of British batteries and shell holes. My machine, of course, was badly damaged but I escaped without a shaking. My poor old machine landed with both wheels and its tail in separate shell holes. Of course, the batteries ceased fire till I was under cover. A rather amusing incident was that I cut some telephone wires between the battery I was near and headquarters so that no order could come through to continue firing for some few minutes. This was in the afternoon and I spent the remainder of the day trying to telephone back to the aerodrome. I was in the area of another Army Corps and hence my message did not get through for some hours. The officers in the battery were my hosts and were very good to me. I spent the night in a dug-out. Early the next morning there was a long strafe which was very interesting to witness. By Jove, the Germans must have a rotten time when we all go together. Later on in the day I went to the nearest headquarters to telephone again, here I met a fellow called Raymond, who was the School House housemaster [Bernie attended School House, Oundle School, Northants, England, ed.] when Rivers [Bernie’s younger brother Flt. Sub-Lieut Rivers Gordon Begg R N A S, ed.] was a pre[fect?, ed.]. He is a Staff-Captain and I had breakfast with the Staff, and the old General was very keen on stealing my long flying thigh boots! Later on, the tender trailer arrived and we had to take the machine to pieces. This could not all be done and carried down in the one day. So when it was dark I found a grand dug-out for the men and we got them a supply of food and then I came home to get a change of clothes. Next morning I motored back and, incidentally, took a heap of chocolates and cake etc up to the fellows at the battery. The machine was then packed up and I brought the whole party slowly home. An aeroplane traveling through the streets always causes a great sensation and this was no exception. One thing that pleased me immensely was that the men all thanked me for taking so much trouble in finding them a decent billet, and for the grub I supplied them with. I was jolly glad to get back. Well now I must close. Love to all
Yours
Bernie

-----------------------------

Note: Webster Dictionary
Strafe [German Gott Strafe England - God punish England – slogan of the Germans in World War 1[
(circa 1916) to rake (as ground troops) with fire at close range and especially with machine-gun fire from low flying aircraft