54 Squadron, Royal Air Force, 22nd October 1917
Circumstances of Capture
22 October 1917 – 2nd Lieutenant Percy Goodbehere was flying Sopwith Pup No. B1834, along with other members of 54 Squadron and was engaged in air combat against an enemy formation when his aircraft collided with Sopwith Pup No.B1782 being flown by 2nd Lieutenant George Cowie. As a result of the collision both planes fell into enemy territory. George Cowie was found dead by the Germans and buried nearby and Percy Goodbehere was taken prisoner. The German Air Ace Max Muller was to claim both aircraft as his ‘kills’.
Further Military and Civilian Research
Percy Goodbehere was born on 10 March 1892 at Manchester, Cheshire.
- 1911 – He was an Apprentice Fitter of Textile Machinery.
- 2 October 1915 – Commissioned into the Manchester Regiment as 2nd Lt.
- 20 March 1917 – Passed his aviation certificate on a Maurice Farman Biplane at Military School, Birmingham.
- 25 March 1917 – Joined 43 Reserve Squadron.
- 26 April 1917 – Transferred from Manchester Regiment to Royal Flying Corps.
- 2 June 1917 – Joined 54th Squadron (Flying Sopwith Scout)
- 22 October 1917 – Collided with another plane while in battle and captured by enemy.
- circa – 21 December 1917 – At Karlsruhe Prisoner of War Camp.
- circa – 5 January 1918 – At Landshut Prisoner of War Camp.
- circa – 11 January 1918 – At Limburg an der Lahn Prisoner of War Camp.
- circa – 4 February 1918 – At Holzminder Prisoner of War Camp.
- 17 December 1918 – Repatriated from the Prisoner of War Camps.
- 5 May 1919 – Injured his nose at Birmingham in an aero accident. (Silver War Badge)
- 13 July 1919 – To reserve as unfit due to injury.
- 1922 – Married Muriel Eugenie Warhust.
- 25 December 1967 – Died.
Family
Percy Goodbehere was born on 10 March 1892 at Manchester, Cheshire. The 1901 and 1911 Census shows that they were residing at Fern Bank 167 Plymouth Grove, Manchester. Clearly a well-off family as during these times the household employed 5 Domestic Staff.
His family is shown as follows :-
- Father – Frederick George, born c.1853 at Manchester, Managing Director Textile Machinist Worker.
- Mother – Georgiana Mary, born c.1854 at Manchester.
- Brother – Eric, born c.1878 at Manchester, Director Textile Machinist Worker.
- Brother – Alwyn, born c.18979 at Manchester.
- Sister – Nelly, born c.1881 at Manchester.
- Brother – Frederick, born c.1883 at Manchester.
- Sister – Jessie, born c.1886 at Manchester.
- Sister – Lucy, born c.1887 at Manchester.
He married Muriel Eugenie Warhurst in 1922, they had a daughter Pamela Doreen by their union.
When his estate was settled on 6 March 1968, the sum of £14,120 was left.
Addresses
In the 1901, 1911 Census and his Great War documents, the family were shown as residing at Fern Bank, 167 Plymouth Grove, Manchester.
In 1923 his address was given as Kinleith, Styal Road, Wilmslow, Essex.
In the winding-up of his ‘Estate’, in 1968, it shows that he was residing at Norwood Cottage, Macclesfield Road, Alderley Edge, Cheshire.
Medals
Percy Goodbehere was awarded the Victory and the British War Medals for his service in the Great War. He was also eligible for the Silver War Badge.
Links to Additional Information
- Lives of the First World War – Percy Goodbehere
- London Gazette dated 4 October 1915 – Percy Goodbehere
- London Gazette dated 16 May 1917 – Percy Goodbehere
- George Cowie Biography on WW1Lives
References
- Medal Index Card.
- 1901 Census.
- 1911 Census.
- Royal Aero Club Aviators Certificates.
- London Gazette dated 4 October 1915.
- London Gazette dated 16 May 1917.
- International Red Cross – Prisoner of War Records.
- England and Wales National Probate Calendar 1968.
- British Officer, Prisoner of War Records.
- Medal Roll – Royal Flying Corps – Percy Goodbehere.
- England and Wales Electoral Register – 1923
Groups
Contributors:-
- Vincent Stuart
WW1 LIVES 