ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 218873
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| Date: | Monday 26 April 1915 |
| Time: | day |
| Type: |  Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c |
| Owner/operator: | 8 Sqn RFC |
| Registration: | 1758 |
| MSN: | |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | St. Omer -
 France
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | RFC St. Omer, France |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources |
26.4.1915: Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c, 8 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Written off (destroyed) when crashed on take off from St. Omer, France. Pilot - 2nd Lt Frederick William Polehampton - was killed. He was the squadron's first casualty. His body was taken to 10 Stationary Hospital.
His wife received the following telegram dated the 28th of April 1915 while she was living at Walton Woodhouse, Wellesbourne, in Warwickshire: -
"Deeply regret to inform you that 2nd Lt. F.W. Polehampton Royal Flying Corps was killed in action on 26th April - no further details. Lord Kitchener expresses his sympathy."
The incident was debated in the House of Commons, and Flight magazine (August 17 1916 page 859 - see link #1) report on what was noted in "Hansard" the official record of Parliamentary debates:
"No. 34. Hansard.—Killed in a side-slip. Typical of this type of machine.
Supplemental statement.—Date, 26th April, 1915.
Place, St Omer, France.
Pilot, Second Lieutenant W. Polehampton.
Machine, B.E. 2C.
Accident occurred in getting off the ground. This machine is apt to take a side-slip if not up to its flying speed when it leaves the ground. The negligence was the use of this type of machine. There is special danger in the first 500 feet of the ascent and the last 500 feet of the descent with this machine.
Facts.—
The accident happened at St. Omer.
Conclusion.—
This was a regrettable accident such as happens from time to time. It would probably not have been brought forward but for the fact that it happened on B.E. 2C. machine. Mr. Pemberton Billing has criticised this machine severely, and, as the Committee understand him, goes the length of saying that to allow the use of a B.E. 2 C. machine for any purpose except that of flying in peace times, and then only by an experienced pilot, is negligence. The Committee entirely dissent from this view, and consider that, though somewhat slow, a B.E. 2 C. has always been relatively to other machines a safe machine to fly. There was no negligence in supplying Lieutenant Polehampton with a B.E. 2 C. machine."
Sources:
1. Flight magazine (August 17 1916 page 859): https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1916/1916%20-%200699.html
2. https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/22538/polehampton,-frederick-william/
3. http://www.hambo.org/lancing/view_man.php?id=311
4. https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/91721-2nd-lt-f-w-polehampton-no-8-squadron-rfc/
5. http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site2451/FW%20Polehampton%20Final%20Draft.pdf
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 02-Dec-2018 00:12 | Dr.John Smith | Added |
| 06-Dec-2018 17:03 | Nepa | Updated [Operator, Operator] |
| 16-Jan-2019 22:09 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Narrative] |
| 16-Jan-2019 22:10 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Narrative] |
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