Roscoe, James Franck (Second-Lieutenant)

Killed in Flight Line Accident 1918-August-06

Male Head

Birth Date: 1899-September

Born: Liverpool, England

Parents: Charles & Mary Nichols, Kensington, London

Spouse: unmarried

Home: Kensington, London, England (parents)

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: 1917

Service

RAF

Unit

(OT) Sqn- Squadron (RFC)

Base

13Group, 4TDS Hooton Park, Cheshire, England

Rank

Second-Lieutenant

Position

pilot-trainee

Service Numbers

152721

Home
Google MapKensington, London, England (parents)
Final Burial
Google MapSt Mary Churchyard
B 12
1918-04-06: to be 2nd-Lieutenant, RFC. 1918-08-06: Roscoe was killed when he inadvertently flew into the firing path of another squadron aircraft shooting at the ground target and was shot down. He died either from the shots that hit hid aircraft or was killed in the crash.

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Pup serial: B7513

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).

Kestrel Publications Sopwith Pup Details - Kestrel Publications