Lives of the First World War

18th February 1894 - 21st September 1918

Clement Clough Eaves was born on 18th February 1894 in Derby. His parents are Elam Eaves and Amelia Clough. He had an older brother, Elam and two younger sisters, Ena Mary and Edna. 01:04:1894 Clement baptized at Saint Andrews Church, Derby. The 1901 Census has the family living at 96 Chatham Street, Edgeley, Stockport. On the 2nd April 1911 Census he is listed as an apprentice engineer, and living at 3 Didsbury Road, Heaton Norris, Stockport. From 1909 to 1916 Clement Eaves was working as a diesel engine expert at Messrs Mirralees, Buckerton and Day Ltd of Hazel Grove, Stockport. He attended Manchester Technical College - 1910-1911 enrolled for 1st year Engineering Apprentice Course 1911-1912 enrolled for 2nd Year Engineering Apprentice Course as a special day student From 1916 to 1918 he was involved in aero engine inspection at Aeronautical Inspection Directorate, Manchester. Clement Clough Eaves signed his Short Term Army Attestation on 10th December 1915 in Dunfermaline. His rank was Private in the Army Reserve. His height is recorded as 5 feet 11 1/2 inches. Called to The Colours and appointed to the Royal Flying Corps on 18th June 1917. Transferred to Army Reserve Class "W" on 30th May 1917 with rank of 2/AM (Air Mechanic 2nd Class). Re-firmed The Colours from Class "W" Army Reserve 25th March 1918. Rank 2/AM. Transferred to RAF 1st April 1918 under provisions Air Force (Constitution) Act 1917. Rank AM3 (Air Mechanic Class 3). On 9th April he underwent aircrew selection and was assessed as being unsuitable for pilot training, but suitable as an observer. Clement Eaves undertook observer training at Blackdown, Surrey, through August. With flight training completed by 10th August he qualified as an observer on 23rd August. 13th July 1918 - from RD to 1SAG(H). 27th July 1918 - from 1SAG(H) to 1SAG(R). 10th August 1918 - from 1SAG(R) to 6 Brigade (47 Wing). 6th September 1918 - discharged under Kings Regs for RAF on appointment to a temporary commission. 6th September 1918 - granted a temporary commission as a 2nd Lt (Observer Officer). Entry in the London Gazette dated 10th September 1918 refers. 8th September 1918 - from 6 Brigade (51 Sqn) to BEF. In September 1918 he is a 2nd Lt with 215 Squadron RAF at Xaffevilliers, as a member of a three man crew flying Handley Page 0/400 heavy bombers. On the night of 20/21 September 1918 his plane C9732 took off from Xaffevilliers at 20:08 hours with six other Handley Page 0/400 aircraft on a mission to bomb targets at Frescaty. Two aircraft returned with bombs intact and four reached the objective. One aircraft C9732 was reported missing on the night of 20/21 September - the pilot was 2nd Lt Alfred Charles Garrett Fowler, the observer was 2nd Lt Clement Clough Eaves and the gunlayer 2nd Lt John Shannon Ferguson. Aircraft C9732 was a new machine taken on charge by 215 Squadron on 17th September 1918. The Independent Force casualty returns for September 1918 show C9732 as shot down in flames near Metz, and the crew buried in Metz Cemetery, although the War Grave Commission record no known grave. Therefore the name of 2nd Lt Clement Clough Eaves is carved on the Arras Flying Services Memorial in the Arras Memorial to the Missing at Fauberg d'Amiens, France with his crew members. He is also commemorated on Manchester Municipal College of Technology Memorial, in the Sackville Building, University of Manchester RIP

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