2nd Lieutenant Ralph Imray KIRTON AFC
King's Own Scottish Borderers and 20 Squadron Royal Flying Corps

Date of birth: 1st October 1895
Date of death: 22nd November 1918

Killed on active service aged 23
Buried at Camberwell (Forest Hill Road) Cemetery
He was born in at Camberwell London on the 1st of October 1895 the elder son of Dr Charles Imray Kirton and Lilian (nee Woakes) of “Ashville”, Honor Oak, London SE23.

He was educated at the King’s School Canterbury from May 1911 to July 1914 during which time he played in the Rugby XV in 1912, winning his colours that year, and in 1913.

The Cantuarian wrote of his rugby that season :-

"Light but vigorous. With more experience should do well."

He was known at school by the nicknames of "Peggy" or "Curley".

On leaving school became a pupil at the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company at Bristol. He played rugby for Rosslyn Park Rugby Football Club.

Following the outbreak of war he enlisted at 32 St Pauls Churchyard as Private 143 in the 10th (Service) Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (Stockbrokers) on the 29th of August 1914 . At a medical examination, which took place on the same day, it was recorded that he was five feet eight and a half inches tall and that he weighed 136lbs. Also that he had sallow complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. He applied for entry to the Royal Military College Sandhurst and underwent a further medical examination at the War Office on the 18th of November 1914. On leaving the College he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers on the 17th of March 1915.

He learnt to fly at the Military School in Farnborough and obtained his Aero Certificate (number 1230) flying a Maurice Farman biplane on the 11th of May 1915 and was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps on the 7th of September 1915 as a Flying Officer.

On completion of his training he was posted as a founder member of 20 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps flying FE2Bs which was formed at Netheravon on the 1st of September 1915. He went with them to France on the 16th of January 1916 where they were based at Claimarais airfield.

On the 13th of February 1916 he and his Observer, Lieutenant Frank "Pongo" Billinge were flying on patrol as escorts for a reconnaissance mission when they were attacked on three occasions. The first attack was by an Albatross biplane which, after a short engagement, flew off. Secondly they were attacked by a Rumpler type biplane but it too made off after Billinge fired a drum and a half of ammunition at it. An observer in another aircraft saw the German fall and this was claimed as 20 Squadron’s first victory. The third attack was made by an unidentified enemy aircraft, possibly an AEG G1V. The aircraft attacked and was seen to dive away steeply.

On the 18th of March 1916 he set out on what was to be his last patrol, again on a reconnaissance mission over Tourcoing. He was holding station to the rear of the formation when he was attacked by a Fokker monoplane, but managed to drive it away. From that time on he was under continuous attack, finally having to contend with five enemy aircraft. He turned his aircraft head on to engage their formation leader but during the ensuing combat he was wounded in the arm and leg. With the assistance of the other aircraft in his formation he managed to drive the enemy away.

A Medical Board was convened at Boulogne on the 30th of March 1916 to report on his case: -

"He sustained a flesh wound in front of left thigh and a graze of left elbow. Both there are slight and have now healed and will not affect future efficiency once he has recovered from the severe shock sustained, as the wounds were incurred whilst flying. He is still suffering from the effects of shock and strain due to excessive work, necessitated by his continuous duty. He has been examined by the consulting physician who recommends him for charge to England for a short period. The Board concur in this and recommend him for two weeks leave in England."

He was returned to England from Boulogne on board the SS "Onward" on the 31st of March 1916 and arrived at Folkestone later the same day.

On the 4th of May 1916 a further Medical Board sat at the War Office which reported: -

"He has recovered from his wounds but is now complaining of the effects of a fracture of his nose which took place in a motor accident at Coventry about November 1915 whilst on duty. He is going to have an operation to remedy the nasal defect and is recommended for leave for that purpose."

He was not considered as fit to fly again until September 1916 and, on the 27th of December 1916 he attended a Medical Board which concluded: -

"He has recovered from the wound but is now suffering from nervous debility with rapid heart action. Somewhat enfeebled, loss of memory, and as he states, disabling headaches commence at altitudes above 5,000 feet. For such he says his nerve is gone! The Board feels bound to accept such statements as they have at present no means of testing them. Permanently unfit as pilot or observer."

In January this decision was moderated to allow him to fly but only below 5,000 feet in height.
With no chance of his returning to France the Vickers Company requested that he be transferred to them for test flying work in a letter dated the 5th of January 1917. He was posted to their factory later that month as a test pilot where he flew over seventy different aircraft types including Handley Page seaplanes and most types of Sopwith aircraft. A Medical Board which sat at the Air Board Office, Adastral House on the 2nd of May 1917 decided that he was fit for general service.

On the 21st of November 1918 he met with a serious accident at Farnborough while flying Sopwith Dolphin E4718 from No. 1 (Southern) Aircraft Repair Depot when the aircraft hit a shed roof while performing a low roll. He died of his injuries at the Cambridge Military Hospital, Aldershot the following day.

He was awarded the Air Force Cross in the New Years Honours list of the 1st of January 1919.

His parents added the following legend beneath the entry in the In Memoriam section of the Times of the 22nd of November 1919:-

“Though years pass they cannot work thee ill, Age cannot mar not disillusion chill, Still young and strong, still gay and sorrow free, So shall we see thee still, dear heart, until the end.”

He is buried in an unmarked grave but is named on a Commonwealth War Graves Commission memorial at the cemetery.

He is commemorated on the war memorial at Rosslyn Park Rugby Football Club.
 

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