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WHELAN C<br />
Lieutenant Cyril WHELAN. 42 nd Training Squadron, Royal Air Force (RAF). <strong>Wye</strong><br />
Aerodrome. Formerly Royal Flying Corps (RFC). Died Flying Accident Kennington<br />
Thursday 25 th April 1918 aged 19 years. Son of Albert Whelan (very famous Australian Music<br />
Hall Entertainer of the early 1900’s known by his whistling signature tune) of 221 Brixton Hill,<br />
Brixton, London. Buried Kensal Green Roman Chatholic Cemetery, Kensal Green, London.<br />
Grave reference 1.1952.<br />
Priot to the outbreak of war Cyril was working as an actor in London.<br />
Cyril was killed in a flying accident whilst stationed at the nearby <strong>Wye</strong> aerodrome, Bramble<br />
Lane, <strong>Wye</strong>. On Thursday 25 th April 1918 Cyril was piloting an Avro Trainer machine on a<br />
training mission from <strong>Wye</strong> Aerodrome. His machine was involved in a mid air collision with<br />
another machine (Sopwith Pup) from <strong>Wye</strong> being piloted by Second Lieutenant Alwyne<br />
Gordon LEVY. The Avro being piloted by Cyril had a observer on board - Lieutenant<br />
Edmund MARRABLE. Both machines came down near the Golden Ball Public House. All<br />
three officers were killed outright. All officers involved in this flying accident appear here as<br />
Ashford men. It seems inconceivable that none were included on any local Ashford civic war<br />
memorial…<br />
After the accident Cyril’s body was returned to his parents in Brixton London and they buried<br />
him in Kensal Green Cemetery. The authorities provided a full military funeral.
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