James Ernest Bytheway (Ernest) Hesketh

Rank:2nd Lieut
Ship/Rgn/Sqn No:11Sqn
Name of Rgt or Ship:Royal Air Force
Died:22/04/1917Age:28
How Died:Killed in Action
Country of burial:France
Cemetery or Memorial:Arras Flying Services Memorial
Town Memorial:Altrincham
Extra Information:
Attended Sale Grammar School and Rossall School.

Articled to his father's firm of Messers Hesketh & Co., Chartered
Accountants, Manchester.

Gave up his business as a Chartered Accountant at the outbreak of war and
joined the U.P.S. Bn.

Enlisted in the Schools Bn of the Royal Fusiliers in August 1914 and was
drafted to the front on the 30/10/1915.    After 7 months in the field, he
was wounded and returned to the UK.   He studied flying and later went to
Lincoln College, Oxford.    Returned to the front with the RFC in March
1917.

He was observing on one of six aircraft (flying machines as reported in the
paper) and was taking photographs when 17 fast enemy scouts attacked them. 
 He was shot through the heart and died instantly.

Lt Parker was awarded the MC for his Western Front action on 22 April 1917
when flying FE 2b A820 of No 11 Sqn RFC with 2Lt James Ernest Bytheway
Hesketh as observer. The citation from The Gazette of 18 July 1917 is
below. 2Lt Hesketh died of wounds. A victory was credited to Ltn Karl
Schaefer of Jasta 11; it was the 21st of his eventual 30 victories before
he was killed in action on 5 June 1917.

Listed as J. Ernest B. Hesketh on St. George's Memorial.  He also has a
personal memorial in St. George's Church.   His father was a sidesman at
St. George's P.C.

Died S.E. of Monchy le Preux, France.

Death reported in the 01/05/1917 edition of the Altrincham Guardian.

Not mentioned in any of the RFC Communiqués.

Listed in the Guardian Year Book - Roll of Honour for 1918.


Memorials found on:
St. George's (Altrincham)
Altrincham & District Roll of Honour
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