2nd Lieutenant, Cecil Reginald BASCOMBE
Aged 19
no overseas service, hence no medals
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Born at Alvington House, Northgate Street, Bury St.Edmunds on 11th September 1898 (4th qtr Bury St.Edmunds 4a:825) son of Reginald Edward and Julia Emily BASCOMBE (née YOUNG). Baptisd at St. James, Bury St.Edmunds on 11th November 1898.
1901 census...Aged 2, he was at 112 Northgate Street, Bury St.Edmunds with his father Reginald Edward BASCOMBE [29] dental surgeon, born Dorchester; his mother Emily Julia [29] born Bilston, Staffs; sister Amelia [6] born Bury St.Edmunds 1911 census...Aged 12, he was at preparatory school, Lydgate House, Hunstanton. His parents have not been found in tis census, but tey were still resident at Alvington House, 112 Northgate Street, Bury St Edmunds He was a dental student before enlisting. |
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Cecil crashed while at 44 Training Squadron at Harlaxton, near Grantham: They stalled on take-off in DH4 B3959. 2/Lt WF Trench, the other occupant, was injured.. It isn't clear which of them was the instructor and which the pupil. Neither was very experienced; Trench had become a probationary temporary 2/Lt only that July.
Cecil was appointed temp. 2nd Lt on 02 August 1917. The Casualty Cards show that Bascombe was killed when his machine stalled and crashed on take off and his passenger 2nd Lt WF Trench was injured (not seriously). The Court of Enquiry was of the opinion that after consideration of the machine and examination of the wreckage that both machine and engine were in perfect order. The cause of the accident was an error of judgement on the part of the pilot in that he pulled the machine off the ground before it had obtained sufficient flying speed. The DH4 was the only British aircraft that was manufactured in the USA
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