Douglas Bayley de Bruyn

Surname: DE BRUYN First Name: DOUGLAS BAYLY
Year: 1916 Volume: 6/9/827
Source Location: National Archives, Cape Town (KAB) Reference: 1609
Source: Master's Office / Orphan Chamber, Cape Town (MOOC)

Flying a Henry Farman aeroplane, 2850.

Cambridge Independent Press - Friday 02 June 1916

FLYING FATALITIES. : Inquest on Young Officer from South Africa.
A DEADLY SIDESLIP-

The circumstances attending the death of 2nd Lieut. Douglas Bayly de Bruyn, the King’s Own Regiment, who died in hospital Saturday from injuries sustained in an aeroplane accident Saturday, were inquired into by the Coroner Monday afternoon. The evidence showed that Mr. de Bruyn was a passenger under instruction in an aeroplane. piloted by 2nd Lieut. Newman, and the machine, been flying for about 20 minutes before the accident happened. It was conjectured that the machine ‘'side-slipped" and nose-dived to the ground, falling 300 or 400 feet. Mr. Newman died within half hour. Major Bernard Vernon Harcourt, Royal Flying Corps, said Mr. de Bruyn had only just joined tho squadron from the Reserve Squadron, in which had done his previous flying, and had gone up about 11 a.m. on the 27th inst, for instruction with 2nd Lieutenant Newman. He was merely passenger under instruction. Mr. Newman was one of the instructors, and a very highly-skilled pilot. He was in many ways the best pilot I had there," said the witness. He was particularly good on this type of machine. They had been flying about 20 minutes before the accident happened. It was purely matter of conjecture what caused the accident, but it due to the machine "side-slipping" —being on a"bank" and not going sufficiently fast, and then making nose-dive and crashing to the ground. Replying to the Coroner, witness said the machine had been used before. The Coroner : Is it usual test these machines before they go up? Yes, they are always looked over by the mechanic for tho engine, and also the rigger for the rest of the machine and the controls, and when, the pilot gets in he has chocks in front the wheels, that the machine cannot move forward, and the engine run to see if to is making the full revolutions, and he also works the control lever to see if it is all right in every direction. I saw him actually in the air not so very many minutes before the accident occurred. He was flying round the ground at no very great height. The pilot would not up unless he was satisfied the machine was in order. Replying further to the Coroner, witness said Mr. de Bruyn’s age was 20 years and 10 months. He lived at Westfield, Schroeder -street. Cape Town, and at the outbreak of the war joined as a trooper in some mounted corps. Witness did not know his civil occupation.
The Coroner: I understand that this was by means the first time that the engine or machine had been up?—Oh, no. Replying to the Foreman, witness said no did not see the accident, but he believed that the machine was 300 or 400 feet high just before the accident.
After the accident was the machine examined? —Yes, I examined it to see if there was any break. The engine was undamaged and the controls were perfectly all right.
He really was not certificated ?—No, he had taken they call his ticket—the Royal Aero Club certificate, but was not graduated from a military point of view, although he was from a civil of view. But was not flying he was a passenger.

In reply to further questions, witness said Mr. de Bruyn had not flown that type of machine before. He had gone up in machine alone, and had done seven hours flying as pilot. Capt. Leslie Fitzroy Richard, Royal Flying Corps, said saw the machine in the air, and judged it was between and 400 feet, when started to get out of control. It was hard to say exactly how it happened. He happened to look and saw it. It might have been caused by side-slipping.

The Coroner: And came down very rapidly?— No. not very rapidly. It came nose down gradually. Are they never righted their nose dive? —They hadn’t got sufficient height to get it up. They were coming down at the time it happened. The Foreman: Did Lieut. Newman give an Idea of the cause of the accident?—He was killed. Capt. Fredk. Claud Kempson, R.A.M.C., said saw the machine fall, He ran to it and saw the two officers. Mr. Newman was seriously injured, and died within half an hour. Mr. de Bruyn was taken to the hospital. He had very serious injuries. He was not conscious. Major F. E. Apthorpe Webb saw Mr. Bruyn was admitted to hospital about 3.30 on Saturday afternoon. He was then unconscious, breathing very rapidly, and had (practically no pulse. He was examined slightly, but on account of his serious condition it was not thought wise to examine him thoroughly. Oxygen was administered, but he died about 10.30 the same night. On examination he was found to have very serious injuries, amongst them being fractured pelvis and fractured arm. died through shook following upon the injuries. His legs were not broken. The jury returned a verdict that deceased died from following upon injuries received in an accident caused by the side-slipping of the machine in which was flying. The Coroner remarked that it was not necessary for him to point out that Lieut. Newman was a practical and experienced flying officer. Mr. de Bruyn. before joining the Royal Flying Corps, saw service against the Germans the West African campaign.

THE FUNERAL. The funeral took place with full military honours on Tuesday. The drums and bugles, escort and firing party were furnished by No. 2 Officers’ Cadet Battalion, and the officers in attendance included the Commanding Officer and Other officers of the Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps to which Mr. de Bruyn belonged and officers from Nos. 2 and Cadet Battalions. Four officers of the Royal Flying Corp and one officer of No. 2 and one officer of No. 5 Cadet Battalions acted as bearers. The body was enclosed in an inner shell and a polished oak coffin with brass fittings bearing the lowing inscription:— 2nd Lieut. Douglas Bayly de Bruyn, Royal Flying Corps, Died May 27th. 1916, Aged 20 years.
The cortege left the Hospital at 2.80, and marched the Cemetery, which was reached about an hour later. The escort and firing party marched with arms reversed, and the drums and the bandmaster’s staff were draped with crepe.

The bearers walked either side of the coffin, which was covered with the Union Jack, and the other officers followed immediately behind. The band played the Dead March in "Saul” when nearing the cemetery gates. The service was conducted by the Rev. Chase, Army Chaplain, and the close of the service the customary three volleys were discharged over the grave and the buglers sounded the "Last Post."

The floral tributes included wreath from the officers and another from the N.C-O.'s and men of Mr. do Bruyn’s squadron of the Royal Flying Corp.

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