James Randolf Wylie

Rank:2nd Lieut
Ship/Rgn/Sqn No:Attd. to 123 Sqn R.A.F.
Name of Rgt or Ship:Royal Dublin Fusiliers
Died:23/04/1918Age:23
How Died:Accidental
Country of burial:U.K.Grave Photo:Yes
Cemetery or Memorial:Urmston Cemetery
Town Memorial:Not Listed
Extra Information:
Born on the 17th June 1894 in Belfast, Co. Antrim in 1895, the eldest son
of James & Lizzie Grayson Wylie.

1901 Census - 105 Melville Street, Prestwich, Manchester.   Son - aged: 6 -
born: Belfast, Co. Antrim.   Head of household - James Wylie - Married -
aged: 34 - occ: Manager (Bakers) - born: Belfast, Co. Antrim.   Also -
Lizzie G. Wylie - Wife - aged: 34 - born: Liverpool.   Plus 2 younger
siblings and 1 visitor.

1911 Census - 14 Oak Avenue, Flixton.   Son - aged: 16 - occ: Junior
Salesman - born: Belfast, Co. Antrim.   Head of household - Lizzie Grayson
Wylie - Married - aged: 41 - born: Liverpool.   Plus 1 elder sister.   No
trace of his father - James Wylie.

The Urmston B.C. cemetery records state that he died at 14 Oak Ave,
Flixton, but the M.I. states that he was killed in a flying accident at
Duxford, which is confirmed by his RFC records that state that the aircraft
noze dived into the ground.   Flying in 123 Sqn, he was flying an R.E.8 two
seater machine - No. Q4398. The other officer with him in the a/c was - 2nd
Lt G.J.F. Young.    123 Sqn was formed at R.A.F. Waddington, Lincolnshire
on the 1st February 1918 and moved to R.A.F. Duxford on the 1st March
1918.

His father - J.G. Wylie 8 Riminy Mansions, Putney, London S.W.    A Court
of Enquiry was held - ref: 22985/1918.  It concluded that the accident was
not due any fault in the A/c, but would appear that the Pilot collapsed in
the air.   [A likely story!!!].   Regarded as underpowered and prone to
spinning, several machines were lost in such crashes and this is probably
what happened to James' aircraft.  By 1915 they had been withdrawn from
active service and finished their careers with training units.  Maximum
speed 70 m.p.h.

Buried 29/04/1918 - Burial No. 1,750.   Private Cross Gravestone in Urmston
Cem.

Listed as a Lieutenant on St. Michael's Mem.

M.I. - "A fragrant flower in the garden of memory".


Memorials found on:
St. Michael's (Flixton)Davyhulme Wesleyan
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