The war experiences of 2nd Lt. C. E. Gregory RFC/RAF in 1918
Photographs
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.
Yatesbury
These photographs were taken either at Yatesbury, or at least around the time when Greg was training there:
Somme
Greg never apparently flew in the Somme sector, but some aerial photographs from the area found their way into his collection:
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.
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.
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.