Serjeant (Observer) 34229 Joseph Helsby

Family details:
Son of George and Ellen Helsby, of 42, Fisher St, Sutton Oak, St. Helens, Lancs.

Census details:
1901 - 1 years old Joseph is living at 21 Eliza Street, Sutton, St Helens with parents George (26), Ellen (26) and brother George (3). 1911 - Sees 11 years old schoolboy Joseph living at 42 Fisher Street, Sutton, St Helens with parents George (36), Ellen (35) and brother Henry (6). Boarding at the address is George Helsby (65). (grandfather??)

Notes:
[url=lmem.php?lmem=1]Remembered on All Saints War Memorial, Sutton, St Helens[/url] [url=lmem.php?lmem=22]Also Remembered on Sutton St Nicholas's War Memorial[/url]

[center][pic2]imgs/S1PWHYAOTV/20_Squadron_RAF_zps7814c610.jpg[/pic2][/center][caption]20 Squadron RFC & RAF.[/caption] 20 Squadron was formed at Netheravon in September 1915 and was posted to France on 23 January 1916. With 630 Claimed Victories, it was the highest scoring squadron of the First World War. Joseph Helsby. 11th Wing Routine Orders for 29th May 1918 show him posted to 20 Sqn wef 27th May as a probationary NCO observer. Like many, he did not survive very long. The 1918 War Diary (or SRB) for 20 Sqn did not survive, being lost in transit in 1919 when the squadron moved to India. As to his death: he was flying in Bristol Fighter 'C850' piloted by 2/Lt. B.T. Davidson as part of a nine-strong offensive patrol over the Menin-Gheluvelt area when the patrol got into a quite vicious fight with a number of German Fokker DVII and Pfalz scouts. 'C850' was seen to go down in flames, most likely shot down by Vfw F. Piechulek of Jasta 56. Three other 20 Sqn men also died, these being: 2/Lt. P.G. Jones, an observer who was hit in the stomach by an explosive bullet; but his pilot, Captain T.C. Traill, got the plane home. Lt. H. C. McCreary and Sgt W. J. H. Barter were also shot down and killed flying 'D8090'. In return, the R.A.F. allowed claims for three German aircraft shot down in the fight, but the identities of the three Germans are unknown. For your information, Bryce Thomas Davidson was the 25 year-old only son of Douglas and Mary Davidson of Mimico Beach, Ontario; but was a married law student living in Toronto when he enlisted. He had been with 20 Sqn since 5th June 1918. P.G. Jones was a single man from Mold in north Wales, and having been with the Sqn since around March or April 1918 had been credited with five combat victories when he was killed. 21 year-old Harry Charles McCreary from Southend was a former RNAS Air Mechanic, as was his observer Sgt William Barter - a former leather worker from Southwark. Like Davidson, McCreary had only been with the squadron since 5th June, and Sgt Barter since 24th May. With Special thanks to Bob Sellwood. [br] [center][pic2]imgs/S1PWHYAOTV/Bristol_F2B__zps63629b15.jpg[/pic2][/center][caption]The Bristol F2B.[/caption] [pic]tpics/J_Helsby_RAF.jpg[/pic][caption]The headstone for Serjeant (Obs) Joseph Helsby at Menin Road South Military Cemetery (Photo courtesy of pupils at Sir John Nelthorpe School, Brigg, North Lincolnshire)[/caption]