Lives of the First World War

20th November 1895 - 23rd August 1918

Francis Edward Rees was born on 20th November 1895 in Halifax and was Killed in Action during service with the RAF on 23rd August 1918. His parents are Reverend Thomas Morgan Rees and Louisa Walker. 31:03:1901 Census - living at St Peter, Huddersfield Thomas M 50 Louisa 48 Jessie 20 Agnes 18 Samuel M 17 Arthur 13 Francis E 5 02:04:1911 Census - living at 415 Mansfield Road, Nottingham Thomas Morgan 60 Louisa 58 Francis E 15 - schoolar 00:10:1914 to June 1915 - undergraduate at St John's College, Cambridge 07:07:1915 Temporary Sub Lieutenant RNVR Next of Kin: Rev T M Rees, 415 Mansfield Street, Nottingham. Later of 110 Park Grove, Barnsley Religion: Methodist 10:07:1915 RND/C2318 Posted to Depot [supernumery] 00:09:1915 With 4th Battalion 16:10:1915 c/o No 171. Posted to 1st Reserve Battalion, Blandford 16:02:1916 Nelson Battalion - draft for MEF 28:02:1916 Posted to Base Depot Mudros 25:04:1916 Joined Nelson Battalion 12:07:1916 to 21:11:1916 attached to 189th Brigade, Light Trench Mortar Battery 21:12:1916 Pryexia [unknown origin] - invalided to UK 21:04:1917 With 4th Reserve Battalion, Blandford 29:05:1917 Nelson Battalion. RND. Draft for BEF 06:06:1917 Joined Nelson Battalion 04:07:1917 to 04:10:1917 joined "Y" 63rd Medium Trench Battery 23:10:1917 UK leave and transfer to RNAS 23:10:1917 Greenwich - Sub Lieutenant RNVR Temporary Probationary Flight Officer 25:11:1917 Greenwich to Vendome 09:02:1918 Vendome to Cranwell 01:04:1918 2nd Lieutenant on Probation Special Qualifications - French acquired during 16 months active service in France. French "moderate". Greek "slight". Since joining RNAS has flown in Caudron and Curtiss, R2, BE2B, BE2C, DH6 and HP bomber 27:05:1918 RAF Station Cranwell 05:05:1918 Temporary 2nd Lieutenant A & S 06:06:1918 Cranwell to 215 Squadron [SW Area] 04:07:1918 215 Squadron British Expeditionary Force 21:07:1918 First sortie in HP 9659 - his "bus" which he had trialed as new on the first day of that month 06:08:1918 215 Squadron - flew as pilot with 2nd Lt J Stott and Sergeant G W Hare in HP 0/400 C9659 10:08:1918 215 Squadron - flew as pilot with 2nd Lt J Stott and Sergeant G W Hare in HP 0/400 C9659 11:08:1918 215 Squadron - flew as pilot with 2nd Lt J Stott and Sergeant G W Hare in HP 0/400 C9659 22:08:1918 215 Squadron - flew as pilot with 2nd Lt J Stott and Sergeant G W Hare in HP 0/400 C9659 22:08:1918 Missing 23:08:1918 Report from Committee de la Croix Rouge that 2nd Lieutenant Francis Edward Rees died 23:08:1918 and buried at the edge of the ponds at Gundershing [information from Charlottenburg] Death presumed to have occurred in action 22/23 August 1918. In view of the above additional evidence it has been decided to accept 23rd August as the actual date of this officer's death 23:08:1918 2nd Lt Rees was pilot on a night bombing operation, with 215 Squadron, to Folpeswieler in HP 0/400 C9659. He had to return because of bad weather and forced to land. His crew of 2nd Lt J Stott was killed and Sergeant G Hare was taken prisoner. 2nd Lt Francis Edward Rees is "Laid to Rest" in Sarralbe Military Cemetery, Moselle, France. The inscription on his headstone is "He gave his life that we may live". His grave reference is C 17. RIP. 10:05:1919 "Death accepted as having occurred in action on or since 22/23 August 1918".

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