Archibald John McWHA. Lieutenant, Royal Flying Corps. Born 7 March 1892 at Koyah, Cachar India to Dupre and Martha McWha of Ballymacruise, Millisle, County Down, Northern Ireland. 1901 with his mother and siblings at 65 Ashburnham Road, Bedford. 1911 wihis mother and sibling at 75, same address, occupation, Engineering Apprentice Queens Engineering Works Bedford
He killed in flying accident 2nd January 1917 aged 23 years.
He is commemorated on a family memorial in Bangor Abbey St Comgall Churchyard, County Down, Northern Ireland and is at rest at Shorncliffe Military Cemetery, Kent.
He took his Aviators Certificate on a Maurice Farman Biplane at Military School, Brooklands, Surrey (Pilot Training) 31 March 1916.
Residence 146 Holland Road, Kensington.
www.surreyinthegreatwar.org.uk
The following extract is credited to
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/220663
2.1.17: Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b A1941, School of Aerial Gunnery, RFC Hythe. Written off (destroyed) when Engine failed; aircraft stalled, crashed and caught fire on impact with the ground, RFC Hythe, Kent. Both crew - Lt Archibald John McWha (aged 24) and Sgt George Wilkes (Service Number 3621 aged 26) - were killed. Sgt. Wiles died immediately at the crash scene, but Lt. McWha died 5 January 1917 (three days later) of injuries sustained.
According to the aircraft accident record card for F.E.2b A1941:
"Court of inquiry 87/9175 6/1/17
Flying accident, engine failure. Stalled machine due to lack of air speed while turning. The Court of Inquiry found that the cause of the accident was due to lack of air speed, and an error of judgement by the pilot while turning on the glide near the ground"
According to a contemporary report in "Flight" magazine (January 18, 1917 page 73 - see link #6)
"Casualties
Second Lieutenant ARCHIBALD JOHN MCWHA, R.F.C., third son of Mr. and Mrs. Dupree McWha, of India, late of Bedford, was killed on active service, aged 23. He was educated at Bedford School, and joined the Royal Flying Corps at the beginning of last year as Second Lieutenant.
