Death Penny

[Leuchtturm]

Hi Gents,

I wanted to show you this Death Penny,

May you can help me with the poor man who has been fallen?

Many thanks and best wishes

Chris

[QSAMIKE]

Here you go......    Killed in training accident......

• Second Lieutenant  PRESTON, MAXWELL EDDEN

Died 23/09/1918

Aged 19

32nd Training Depot Station
Royal Air Force

Son of Edmund Albert and Julia Emma Preston, of 8, St. Paul's Place, Canonbury, London.

[Leuchtturm]

Hi Micheal,

many thanks for your answer.

I think Air Force is not that common?

Best wishes

Chris

[coldstream]

Chris,

Worth reading through this, it may give some pointers for further research.

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/topic/240115-rfcrnasraf-training-deaths-100-years-on/

Simon

[paul wood]

scarcest of the 3 services and nice that it's a unique name.

Paul

[Leuchtturm]

Hi Simon,

thank you for the link.

Paul, many thanks for your answer.

Best wishes

Chris

[peter monahan]

Looks as if he was killed in training, not on operational service, but yes, there is always a bit of a premium for the RFC / RAF.  And, yes, nice to get a unique name.  I have a pair to a 'Lieut. XX Smith, RAF' and no earthly hope of figuring out who he was, as there are 12 men with his initials.

We forget too, that by 1918 the RAF had its share of clerks and box-wallahs, but your man sounds as if he was a pilot in training.  Apparently RAF Montrose was the first operational base set up in the UK and planes actually flew missions over France from there.  It's in southern Scotland.  The Wiki entry on it is quite interesting: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Montrose

 

[Jerry B]

It was very common in WWI for aircrew to die in training accidents, I think about two thirds of all aircrew who died were killed in this way.

[Leuchtturm]

Hi,

many thanks for your informations.

Best wishes

Chris

[NGB]

Hello Chris,

I was very interested to read of this Death Penny as Maxwell Edden Preston was my Great Uncle.

Did you just acquired the medal or do you have some connection to the Maxwell?

I wondering if you still have the medal?

Regards, Nigel

 

 

 

 

[peter monahan]

Nigel

It looks as if Chris doesn't check this page very often - last time was May 22 - but if you click on his name at the head of his post  you can send him a PM, which may get his attention sooner.  Good luck!

Peter