Roy Lytton CUMMINGS

Roy Lytton CUMMINGS. 2nd Lieutenant, (instructor) Australian Flying Corps died 28th August 1918 aged 24. Son of Dr. Harold Lytton and Marcia Cummings, of Dunesbin, Thirroul, New South Wales. Born at Sydney. At rest in Leighterton Church Cemetery, Gloucestershire.
Some notes from his army records.
He joined up on the 18th August 1915, occupation, orchardist. He was posted as Private 5561 into 3rd Field Ambulance. His next of kin was his father, Harold Lytton of Franklin, Tasmania. On the 25th September 1917 he was transferred to the Australian Flying Corps. He graduated to 2nd Lieutenant, appointment Flying Officer, Pilot. He was then posted to the Australian Flying Corps Depot at Wendover, Buckinhamshire. As an instructor he was entitled to were the wings at Minchinhampton Airforce Base. He had been previously stationed at No 1 School of Special Flying at Gosport, Hampshire, prior to 5th Training Squadron, Minchinhampton.
On the 28th August 1918 he was killed whilst flying his Avro 504K number 9282. At about 7.25 am, He was the pilot, flying in a duel control plane, his passenger, pupil, 2nd Lieutenant Charles William Scott, with another plane piloted by, Ernest Howard Jefferys who was in a Avro Le Rhone. No 9282. Prior to the accident both planes were flying in opposite directions S.E. and N.E. Jefferys was flying N.E. direction and turning left and collided with the plane flying S.E. Right wings of each plane coming into contact causing both planes to fall to the earth. All pilots and passengers (pupils) died at the scene