A is for aviator: Ernest Osmond Cudmore

Several of my relatives joined the Royal Air Force, or Royal Flying Corps as it was called during World War 1. I have written previously about Hugh Vivian Champion de Crespigny. Two other relatives, cousins of my paternal grandmother joined up: Frederick Cudmore Andrews and Ernest Osmund Cudmore. They both were captured and both became prisoners of war in the same camp, Holzminden in Lower Saxony.

Ernest Osmond Cudmore was born 2 July 1894 at Glen Osmond, South Australia. He was the second of four sons of Milo Robert Cudmore (1852 – 1913) and Constance Cudmore née Alexander (1858 – 1913). Milo was the brother of James Francis Cudmore, my great great grandfather and Ernest was the cousin of my great grandfather Arthur Murray Cudmore.

Ernest Cudmore in 1917 at the time he was issued with his flying licence (certificate) by the Royal Aero Club. Ancestry.com. Great Britain, Royal Aero Club Aviators’ Certificates, 1910-1950 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.

When Ernest was fourteen his leg was broken when he was thrown from a horse. The bone did not set and his leg had to be amputated below the knee.

Wentworth (1908, July 16). The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), p. 8. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60318056

Wentworth (1908, September 10). The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), p. 12. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5181294

After the death of their parents in 1913, the four Cudmore boys were cared for by their aunt Lilian Alexander (1861 – 1931), a pioneering woman doctor. She became a noted surgeon in Victoria.

Ernest took up racing motorbikes. In August 1916 he participated in a 24 hours’ reliability trial riding a 7 horsepower Indian in the sidecar class of over 600c.

24 HOURS TRIAL. (1916, August 16). Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 – 1939), p. 13. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article121180077

Ernest Cudmore sailed for England and acquired his aviation certificate at Bournemouth on 26 April 1917.

Ancestry.com. Great Britain, Royal Aero Club Aviators’ Certificates, 1910-1950 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.

Until 1911 the British military did not have any pilot training facilities. As a result most military pilots of the period were trained by members of the Royal Aero Club. By the end of World War 1, more than 6,300 military pilots had taken RAeC Aviator’s Certificates.

On 6 June 1917 Ernest Cudmore enlisted in the Royal Air Force. On 23 August 1917 he was discharged as a 3rd class air mechanic as he had received a temporary commission on probation as a 2nd lieutenant in the General List for duty with the Royal Flying Corps. He was described at this time as 6 foot tall, keen and efficient with good military character.  No descriptive marks were noted; the wooden leg was not mentioned.

His next of kin to be informed of casualties as recorded on the service records was Mrs D. H. Cudmore, Union Bank of Australia, Cornhill, London. This is probably Mrs Martha Cudmore, the widow of Ernest’s uncle Daniel Henry Cashel Cudmore (1844 – 1913). She had sons fighting in the war, including Collier Robert Cudmore and Milo Massey Cudmore, cousins of Ernest.

Ernest was confirmed in his rank of 2nd Lieutenant with effect from 13 November 1917. (London Gazette 15 December 1917). He was mentioned in dispatches gazetted 30 May 1919.

On 5 February 1918 Ernest Cudmore went missing and was taken prisoner of war. He was transferred to Holzminden.

 

card compiled by the Prisoners of War International Agency retrieved from http://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Details/3059076/3/2/

Prisoner of war record retrieved from http://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/List/3059076/1872/20434/

Ernest had been captured at Jabbeke, about 17 kilometres west of Bruges in Belgium. Sergeant Leslie Bains was captured at the same time. They were probably in the same plane.

A family story has that Ernest tried to escape while a prisoner so the Germans took away his wooden leg.

The story of Ernest’s life is continued at ‘B is for Buick‘.

Additional Source

• British Royal Air Force, Officers’ Service Records 1912-1920 retrieved from FindMyPast.com.au 

Related posts

• Hugh Vivian Champion de Crespigny (1897 – 1969)
• My grandmother’s cousins

Claude de Crespigny balloonist

Claude Champion de Crespigny (1847-1935), the fourth baronet, was my fourth cousin three times removed.

He was a notable sportsman and he wrote several books about his sporting adventures, including “Forty Years of a Sportsman’s Life”, published in 1910.

On the publication of this book, the New York Times quoted a review in the Globe which had commented that Sir Claude appeared to have never begun a day without considering in what new and unheard-of way he could put his life and his limbs in danger.

The book is at https://archive.org/details/fortyyearsofspor00decr

New York Times 9 October 1910

Claude’s first experience of balloons was shooting at them outside Paris during the summer of 1870 during the Franco-Prussian war. He was with the Prussian army at St Denis.  Small balloons were ascending from Paris for the “purpose of disseminating false information about the state of things prevailing in the front”. As they weren’t flying at a great height, “we were sometimes able to riddle them with bullets”. (page 38 of Forty Years)

Claude’s first balloon voyage was in 1882, an attempt to cross the channel from Essex to Calais. He was accompanied by Joseph Simmons, who had attempted the crossing previously. When the balloon was being launched, assistants held onto the basket for too long. The basket collided with a wall and Sir Claude broke his leg and some ribs fending off. Simmons continued without him and made it to France. According to Sir Claude, Simmons travelled one hundred and seventy miles in just over an hour and a half. This claim seems unlikely. (pages 127-131 of Forty Years)

In July 1883 Claude crossed the North Sea with Simmons, landing near Flushing.  He was awarded the Balloon Society’s gold medal for the voyage as the first man to cross the North Sea in a balloon.  (pages 134-142 of Forty Years) The journey was described in newspapers around the world. An account of this adventure appeared in New Zealand’s Timaru Herald on 27 September 1883.

In July 1909 Claude was pictured in a balloon at Hurlingham. Based on his reminiscences this was probably in the “St Louis” piloted by John Dunham (whose wife accompanied them). (page 316 of Forty Years)

There were several races that year from Hurlingham, and in May Claude also participated in the  1909 Hurlingham International Balloon Race.. Claude travelled in a balloon with H. Hassac Buist, the author of an article for the Flight Magazine published 29 May 1909. They were passengers of Mr Griffith Brewer on the “Vivienne,” of 75,000 cubic feet capacity, the biggest balloon of the afternoon.

There were five of us aboard, and everyone was busy throughout, including Sir Claude, as the self-appointed honorary look-out man, than whom none could have been better chosen for the purpose in that hereabout was all his own country, every hedge and ditch of which was familiar to him through hunting. In brief, what he did not know, had he chosen to communicate it, concerning such-and-such a hall that had been in the hands of three generations of drunkards; such-and-such a house, where is the finest cellar of port to be found in England; such-and-such a lodge, the heir to which married so many tens of thousands a year and got through the lot in as many months; such-and-such another place, where a disastrous fire had reduced a palatial residence to Goldsmith’s “four naked walls that stared upon each other,” and so forth, was not knowledge. Seemingly, our genial fellow-passenger and impromptu cicerone had advised all his friends for miles around to be on the look-out for us so that we should be sure of a hearty welcome anywhere within a wide range of the winning post, not omitting Champion Lodge.

 The “Vivienne” came fourth. His son, Captain V. C de Crespigny (Vierville 1882-1927), flew in “Kismet” with Philip Gardner but they were unplaced.

1909. Griffith Brewer’s ‘Vivienne’ balloon and Frank McClean’s ‘Corona’ balloon. retrieved from http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Griffith_Brewer

 More pictures of the balloon race can be viewed at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2483460/Rare-pictures-Victorian-gentleman-balloon-race-sale.html

Sir Claude also took part as a passenger in the race in 1908. The winner that year was Mr Griffith Brewer in the “Lotus” and Claude was a passenger in that balloon. (Race in the Air. (1908, July 18). The World’s News (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 1955), p. 9. Retrieved March 24, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133965770) (pages 312-314 of Forty Years)

Hugh Vivian Champion de Crespigny (1897 – 1969)

Hugh Vivian Champion de Crespigny was the fourth of the six sons of my great great grandfather, Philip Champion de Crespigny (1850 – 1927).  His mother was Sophia Montgomery Grattan née Beggs (1870 – 1936).

He was born on 8 April 1897 at “Ottowa”, Gladstone Parade, Elsternwick, Melbourne.

Family Notices. (1897, April 12). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957), p. 1. Retrieved January 6, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9185427

inscribed For Birdie – with love from H. V. Champion de Crespigny Nov. 1912. Birdie was the wife of Hugh’s oldest brother Philip. This photograph came to me by way of Birdie and Philip’s son John.

On 30 August 1914 Hugh enlisted in the 7th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force.  He had previously served as 2nd Lieutenant in the 46th Battalion of the Senior Cadets from 1 January 1914 resigning on 14 October 1914. He was discharged to the 2nd Expeditionary Force in October 1914. (NAA: B2455, DE CRESPIGNY H V C) Hugh was only 17 years 4 months at the time of this enlistment.  His original attestation papers are not available.

In May 1915 his name (and that of his brother Constantine Trent) was added to the Brighton Grammar School Roll of Honour.

The War. (1915, May 8). Brighton Southern Cross (Vic. : 1914 – 1918), p. 4. Retrieved January 7, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75017849

Hugh Champion de Crespigny enlisted in the British Army on 16 Jul 1915 as a Flying Officer in the Special Reserve RFC (Royal Flying Corps). He had gained his Royal Aero Club Aviator Certificate No 1099 on 26 February 1915. He retired from the Airforce in November 1945 as an Air Vice-Marshall (the equivalent of an army Major General). (http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Champion.htm)

Inscribed H. V. Champion de Crespigny taken on his Viplane (Vicars) – Netheravon – England. For Phil and Birdie. Accompanying a letter from France dated 3rd April 1916.

From RFC Communique No 24 (13 December 1915):

2nd Lt De Crespigny and Lt Insall (Vickers Fighter, 11 Sqn) while patrolling over Bienvillers, sighted an LVG [German reconnaissance two-seater]. They chased the hostile machine which crossed the lines and made off in the direction of Bapaume.(http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/people/40951-hugh-champion-de-crespigny.html)

From RFC Communique No 27 (14 January 1916):

2nd Lt De Crespigny and 2nd Lt Hughes Chamberlain (Vickers F.B, 11 Sqn) sighted a Fokker near Bertincourt at about 8,000 feet. The German immediately began to dive, the Vickers following and firing nearly one drum of tracer bullets. The Fokker was seen to descend with great speed to earth and was last seen in a field. As the day was hazy it was impossible to ascertain if the hostile machine was completely wrecked. An Albatros and another Fokker were sighted at about 2,000 feet, but owing to engine trouble the Vickers was unable to attack and recrossed the lines.(http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/people/40951-hugh-champion-de-crespigny.html)

From RFC Communique No 32 (2 April 1916):

Capt de Crespigny on a machine of 11 Sqn (observer, 2nd Lt J Hughes Chamberlain) while on patrol attacked five LVG biplanes over Lens. He fired three drums at the first at about 11 yards range and three drums at the second at about 40 yards. The latter dived steeply towards the German lines. The other three machines made off. Capt de Crespigny’s machine was now completely out of control, the engine having stopped, the propellor being smashed and the control wire shot away. Capt de Crespigny, however, with great skill brought his machine to the ground behind our own lines without any casualty to himself or his observer. (http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/people/40951-hugh-champion-de-crespigny.html)

Hugh was awarded the Military Cross in 1916:

“2nd Lt. (temp. Capt.) Hugh Vivian Champion de Crespigny, Suff. R. and R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and skill, notably when he attacked five enemy machines over the enemy’s lines. He drove away one, and brought another to the ground badly hit. His own machine was thencrippled by the fire of the remaining three, but, after emptying one more drum at them, he brought his machine down safely in our lines.” (London Gazette – 16 May 1916)

In 1918 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross

“Maj. Hugh Vivian Champion de Crespigny, M.C. (Suff. R.). (FRANCE)

A brilliant and gallant officer who displays high initiative in night flying, in which service his example has been invaluable to those under his command. On the night of 23rd-24th. September Major Champion de Crespigny carried out a long distance bombing raid. Flying a machine unsuitable for night duty, and in face of adverse weather conditions, he reached, and successfully bombed, his objective. A fine performance, calling for cool courage and determination.

(M.C. gazetted 16th May, 1916.)” (London Gazette – 3 December 1918)

After the war he was promoted to captain and then posted to India.(rafweb.org)

During the Second World War he served as AOC, AHQ Iraq and Persia in 1942 and 1943.(rafweb.org)

Once A Private. (1943, October 22). Army News (Darwin, NT : 1941 – 1946), p. 3. Retrieved January 7, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38339368 and AUSTRALIAN’S AIR POST. (1943, October 16). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), p. 9. Retrieved January 7, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17889620

Air Vice Marshal Hugh Champion de Crespigny, Commander of the Royal Air Force in Iraq and Iran, at his desk. Photographed by Cecil Beaton. Photograph CBM 2192 from the collections of the Imperial War Museums retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.

After the war Hugh de Crespigny served as Regional Commissioner, Schleswig-Holstein Control Commission for Germany.(rafweb.org)

As British governor of Schleswig-Holstein, Air Marshal Hugh Vivian Champion de Crespigny (center, with hat in hand) visits the Kieler refugee camp in June 1947 together with the British minister for the occupied territories in Germany, Lord Francis Pakenham (right). Image retrieved from ZENTRUM GEGEN VERTREIBUNGEN (Centre against Expulsions)

Wants RAF To Save Children. (1945, November 27). The Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 – 1950), p. 13 Edition: HOME EDITION. Retrieved January 7, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article83625453

Graham-Dixon, Francis. The Allied Occupation of Germany: The Refugee Crisis, Denazification and the Path to Reconstruction.  I.B.Tauris, 2013. Google Books, 2013. Web. 7 Jan. 2014. <http://books.google.com.au/books?id=TTjpAAAAQBAJ>. pages 94-5

In 1926 Hugh married Sylvia Usher in Wiltshire.

Family Notices. (1926, November 6). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957), p. 13. Retrieved January 7, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3819593

Air Force Wedding at Fovant. (1926, October 15). Western Gazette (Yeovil, Somerset), p. 7. Retrieved from findmypast.com.au Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The article goes on to describe the dresses, the presents and the guest list.  The guests included Sir Claude Champion de Crespigny who proposed the toast of the bride and bridegroom as well as Hugh’s brother Constantine and his wife, plus a Colonel Champion de Crespigny – not sure who this is but probably one of the sons of Sir Claude.

 Hugh and Sylvia had four sons

• Robert Vivian (1927 – 1929)
• Hugh Philip (1928 – 2004)
• Anthony Richard (1930 – 2008)
• Julian Augustus Claude (1934 – 1974)

Hugh Vivian Champion de Crespigny died on 20 June 1969 at Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa.

The Times 23 June 1969 page 18

Medals of Hugh Vivian Champion_de_Crespigny which were sold in 2001 for £6200 together with some photographs and letters. Lot description from http://www.dnw.co.uk/medals/auctionarchive/searchcataloguearchive/itemdetail.lasso ?itemid=28098 (retrieved 2011): A fine Second War C.B., Great War Pilot’s M.C., D.F.C. group of twelve awarded to Air Vice-Marshal H. V. Champion_de_Crespigny, commanding No. 29 Squadron R.F.C. and No. 65 Squadron R.A.F. on the Western Front, and with extensive service on the North West Frontier of India The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels, in its Garrard case of issue; Military Cross, G.V.R.; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieutenant, R.F.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Major, R.A.F.); India General Service 1908-35, 4 clasps, Mahsud 1919-20, Waziristan 1919-21, Waziristan 1921-24, North West Frontier 1930-31 (F/Lt., R.A.F.); Africa Star; Defence & War Medals; Coronation 1937; French Croix de Guerre 1914-18, the last eleven mounted as worn, together with a Polish pilot’s badge by Firmin, nearly very fine or better, the I.G.S. extremely rare (13) £4000-4500 Sold by Dix Noonan Webb, 16 Bolton St, Mayfair, London, W1J 8BQ.