Edward SUTCLIFFE

13 September 1918

ADDINGHAM – Missing

Mr. B. Sutcliffe has received word that his son, Second-Air Mechanic E. Sutcliffe, is reported missing from August 30th. The commanding officer stated that Air Mechanic Sutcliffe was taking part in a raid far over the enemy lines, and the whole formation were overtaken by a very bad storm. In some exceedingly mountainous country the pilot showed resource, and as none of the machines have returned it is firmly believed that he took his flight to some place of safety and landed. Air Mechanic Sutcliffe is 31 years of age and has been in the Army about two years.

17 January 1919

ADDINGHAM – HOW AIR MECHANIC TED SUTCLIFFE DIED: A Thrilling Story

Mr. B. Sutcliffe has received a communication regarding his son, Air Mechanic Ted Sutcliffe, who was reported missing last August. The letter is from Lieutenant James Macdonald, who wrote from Central R.A.F. Hospital, Holly Hall, Hampstead, and says:– “After many enquiries I have found your address and desire to hear from you. I was the pilot and flight commander of your son, who, I am grieved to say, was killed on that terrible day of August 30th. I thought the Air Board might have him down as missing, and although it is awfully cruel to report him killed yet I think it relieves one to know the truth. We left Italy about 7 a.m and reached our objective, dropping two pills (230lb. each), doing good damage, but got frightfully shelled and badly hit. Your son acted awfully well indeed, and as cool and collected as a hero, but fortune was against us. He got fatally hit and we were again in the teeth of a gale, being tossed about like a cork trying to land and save your son if possible. I got another hit, dived, and fell to pieces, crashing on the rocks. By this time your son was dead and I managed to get out with a broken nose and right eye badly damaged.

He had a military funeral, the music and service being shared between two Austrian officers. I visited the grave and had it all done up and was to have a large photograph of it, but was removed to a fort 40 miles away, and did not receive it, although the authorities had my home address and promised to send it on. I have written to try and get it for you. It may be news to you that your son was mentioned in despatches in the issue of the ‘Times,’ January 3rd and 4th. Please accept my very deepest sympathy for yourself and family, and I assure you his loss cost me grief and pain. He was a most obliging and devoted observer, and did some very good work indeed. There were four machines in all and the other three also crashed on the mountain tops, being lost. I am the only survivor.”