Photographs - Greg's War

Photographs from the Greg’s War Collection that have appeared to date in the Blog can be found in the following galleries. Click on a thumbnail for a larger image.

These photographs may be used, with attribution and a link to Greg’s War, for non-commercial purposes; for commercial use, please enquire via the Contact page.

Holyhead and Family

The first five photographs of Greg were probably taken in Holyhead before he started flying training at Yatesbury. The last two probably date from after he returned from France. Between them are a couple of photos of other family members.

Greg in great coat — Greg in RFC-issue great coat (“coat warm mounted services”)

Greg in 'maternity jacket' uniform — Greg in ‘maternity jacket’ uniform

Norman Gregory, one of Greg’s elder brothers

A portrait of Greg taken by Wickens’ Studios of bangor

Yatesbury

These photographs were taken either at Yatesbury, or at least around the time when Greg was training there:

Albert Gertrey in Airco DH.6. — Albert Gertrey in Airco DH.6

A student waits in the rear seat of DH7672 at Yatesbury as the engine receives some attention.

Greg in front of RE8, probably at Yatesbury

Fokker Eindecker E.III, possibly at Upavon. See the Blog entry for 1 May 1918 for more details. (https://wp.me/p9zNkX-n3)

Somme

Greg never apparently flew in the Somme sector, but some aerial photographs from the area found their way into his collection:

Kite Balloon at Bray — Bray-sur-Somme: Kite Balloon in Operation

Attack on Cantigny by Americans May 1918 1. The Bombardment

Direct bomb hit on ammo train SW of Bray-sur-Somme

“A British Aerodrome”…at Flixecourt? See post of 17 December 2018 for more on this puzzle.

From Lys to Scheldt (Escaut)

It was in the Lys sector that Greg saw most action. Based with 42 Squadron RAF at Rely, south of Aire-sur-la-Lys, from June to October 1918, he was active in and around Merville and its surrounding settlements. Merville is 17 miles (30 km) west of Lille.

In October 1918, 42 Sqn moved eastwards, first to Chocques, near Béthune, and then to Ascq, just east of Lille. By early November 1918, the front line ran along the River Scheldt (Escaut), and much of Greg’s flying was over the front north of Tournai.

Lts Ives and Whittles in front of an RE8 at Rely, June 1918

Railway Bridge at Merville, brought down on 18 July 1918. See that day’s post for more.

Detail of railway Bridge at Merville, brought down on 18 July 1918

Pont de Pierre, Merville, disabled on 19 July 1918. See that day’s post for more.

Pont de Pierre on 18 July 1918, before the shoot

Pont de Pierre on 19 July 1918, after the shoot

Gotha G.IV or G.V bomber, with twin pusher engines, seen above trenches.

A concert party by Leslie Henson’s ‘The Gaieties’ was held at Rely on 3 August 1918. Greg is third from the right in the middle row, next to one of the ‘ladies’. See that day’s post for more.

Shoot with 213 Siege Battery on 8 August 1918 – See that day’s post for more.

Vertical aerial view of unlocated trenches

Another vertical aerial view of unlocated trenches

Officers of 42 Squadron RAF, probably B flight, almost certainly taken in front of the flight’s hut at Rely aerodrome, Summer 1918.

Another group photo of officers of 42 Squadron RAF, probably B flight, almost certainly taken in front of the flight’s hut at Rely aerodrome, Summer 1918.

Capt. Bill Ledlie, CO B Flight, 42 Sqn RAF, standing in front of an RE8

Capt. Bill Ledlie, “somewhere in France”

An RE8 of B Flight, 42 Squadron RAF takes to the air.

Capt. Cedric Foskett Gordon, the other senior officer of B Flight, 42 Sqn RAF

Captain Cedric Foskett Gordon. This was a post-war photograph from the time he was a member of the Mission to South Russia (1919 – 1920).

Captain Cedric Foskett Gordon. This was a post-war photograph, taken during his return to UK from South Russia.

Vertical aerial view of Ferme Cazeau (now Haras de Cazeau), Pont-à-Chin, Tournai

Vertical aerial view of Kain, near Tournai

Greg, Capt. Ledlie (probably) and other B Flight officers at Ascq

Greg, Capt. Ledlie and other B Flight officers at Ascq

An even more featureless view of no-man’s land.

West Merville, including Pont de Pierre. Possibly taken on post-armistice joyride. See post of 15 December 2018 for more.

Central Merville. Possibly taken on post-armistice joyride. See post of 15 December 2018 for more.

Shattered townscape, unknown location. Any ideas where? See post of 15 December 2018 for more.

Crashed RE8 at Saultain on Christmas Eve, 1918. See post for 24 December 1918 for more.

42 Sqn, B Flight officers (probably) at Saultain (also probably). See post for 28 December 1918 for more.

Greg and Capt. Gordon, and Waso the dog, in front of RE8 2872 at Abscon, January 1919

Waiting to go home? A Karsh-like portrait, date and location unknown.

42 Squadron RAF at Château Lantier in Abscon (not Ascq as captioned), January 1919. See post on 22 January 2019 for more.

Homeward Bound 1. See post for 28 January 1919.

Homeward Bound 2. See post for 28 January 1919.

Ypres

It is not known when these photographs were taken, except that it is likely to have been in late 1918 – possibly after the armistice. Nor is the photographer known; it’s possible, but not certain, that it was Greg. See the post for 28 September 1918 for more details.

Ypres Prison, Reservoir Cemetery and Minneplein.

Lille

Another pair of photographs whose date and photographer can’t be established with any certainty. But they were likely to have been taken on or after 17 October 1918, the date on which Lille was liberated. See the post for that date for more.

Lille city centre and the Place de la République (bottom centre left).

British Aircraft

German Aircraft

Fokker Eindecker E.III, possibly at Upavon. See the Blog entry for 1 May 1918 for more details. (https://wp.me/p9zNkX-n3)