Description
The image shows Lt Victor Southern, born 08.05.1897. He was an Observer with 53 Sqn for a few months on BE2fs from 20th February 1917. He was Involved in a crash on the 26th February 1917 while taking off for a Flash Patrol in BE2e serial number 7250. Pilot was injured and aircraft written off. He appears to have been hospitalised some time after this and recovered at Hendon. He remained in the UK to train as a pilot (as in your photo). On 16.06.17 he gained his pilot certificate number 5530 from the Royal Aero Club. He remained in the UK as an instructor with 9 Training Squadron. It appears that his Military Cross as displayed on his tunic was won prior to RFC service with the Yorks and Lancs Regiment. He also has a wound stripe. He survived the war.
Great War Aviation Society (formerly Cross and Cockade International).
