Name
John (Jack) Syers Walthew
31 Aug 1898
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
19/09/1917
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Second Lieutenant
Royal Flying Corps
4th Sqdn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS FLYING SERVICES MEMORIAL
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Harpenden Town Memorial, Church of St Nicholas Memorial, Harpenden, Individual Plaque, St Nicholas Memorial, Harpenden
Pre War
John (Jack) Syers was born on 31 Aug 1898 at Tilicorin, India, the son of Frederick Hawks (a merchant in India) and Grace Whittaker Walthew (nee Freeman). The family later returned to their ancesteral home at Arden Grove, Harpenden, Herts.
On the 1911 Census he was being educated at Cranleigh School, Surrey. He was a member of the Officer Training Corps at Cranleigh and was 1st Class shot. His family came to live in Askew Grove, Harpenden.
Wartime Service
Jack, having run away aged 15 (Royal Naval Division) to join up earlier, he was eventually sent back to school until he was 18, he then enlisted as a Cadet in Royal Flying Corps and his training is recorded from 1 Feb 1917 at Denham progressing through to 9 Jul 1917 when he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant.
He was posted to 4 Squadron on 14 Jul 1917. On 19 Sep 1917 having taken off at 9.45 a.m. he was piloting a photographic patrol over the ANZAC Corps Front in RE8 No.B3427, with his observer, Lieutenant M.C. Harnett, they did not return and were reported missing. Having no further information on 20 Dec 18 Jack was declared killed in this action). It was afterwards discovered the aircraft had been claimed shot in combat by Lieutenant Adam, of Jasta 6, around 10am near Ypres.
Additional Information
His brother Frederick Selby Walthew, had joined the Royal Naval Division (Z/1170 AB ex-Public Schools Bn) serving with Hawke Battalion. He received a bullet wound in the left arm and was invalided to UK 23 August 1915. He later joined the 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment and was taken prisoner by the Germans at St Julian on 31 July 1917.
Probate of £177 9s 5d was granted to his mother.
The photograph was taken when he was a cadet.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Mary Skinner, Harpenden & District Local History Society (www.harpenden-history.org.uk)
