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Wickett, Thomas Haldane (Lieutenant)

Prisoner of War 1917-April-16

Male Head

Birth Date: unkown date (age 104)

Born: Crediton, Huron County, Ontario

Thomas Wickett & Annie Augusta Pursey

Alice Maude Monk, married 1926

Home: Toronto, Ontario

Service
RAF
Unit
66 (F) Sqn- Squadron (RFC)
Base
Italy
Rank
Lieutenant
Marshal
Air Chief MarshalA/C/M
Air MarshalA/M
Air Vice MarshalA/V/M
Air CommodoreA/C
Group CaptainG/C
Wing CommanderW/C
Squadron LeaderS/L
Flight LieutenantF/L
Flying OfficerF/O
Pilot OfficerP/O
Warrant Officer 1st ClassWO1
Warrant Officer 2nd ClassWO2
Flight SergeantFS
SergeantSGT
CorporalCPL
Senior AircraftmanSAC
Leading AircraftmanLAC
Aircraftman 1st ClassAC1
Aircraftman 2nd ClassAC2
Position
pilot
Service Numbers
1917-04-16: Wickett was shot down and injured in Sopwith Pup A-6178. He was taken POW and was repatriated 1918-06-03, in poor health, due to inadequate treatment and poor medical care. He survived the war and married in 1926.

Sopwith Pup

Source Kestrel Publications.

The Sopwith Pup quickly became a favourite with pilots of the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). It was superior to the Fokker D.III and more than a match for any of the new Halberstadt and Albatros scouts.

Armed with a single synchronous machine gun, it was lighter and less dangerous than its successor, the Sopwith Camel. Although underpowered, pilots liked the plane because it was maneuverable and fast. It could climb and hold its altitude better than any other fighter. In August 1917, the Sopwith Pup was the first aircraft to land aboard a moving ship, the Royal Navy's H.M.S. Furious. Canadian crews saw service with Sopwith Pups while attached to the Royal Naval Air Service.

At least three Sopwith Pups were also allocated to No. 1 (Fighter) Squadron of the Canadian Air Force (CAF) at Shoreham-by-the-Sea in the UK in 1918 likely as proficiency trainers. No. 1 (CAF) Squadron had Sopwith Dolphin and Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a's on strength as the primary fighter aircraft. Kestrel Publications

I have looked up the booklet that is all I have on the Sopwith Pup. There is a brief list of the serial numbers, And all I can tell is that B5333 and B5348 were built at Whitehead Aircraft, Richmond as part of the series B5251-B5400. None of the serials B4158, B4148, B4338 that you asked about seem to be valid according to the list that I have here (no serials from any of the producing factories begin with B4).

Kestrek Publications Sopwith Pup Details - Kestrel Publications

last update: 2023-04-11 22:28:35

Pup A7321


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