Royal Air Force, 4 May 1918
Synopsis of Life and Military Service
William Geipel was born on 9 November 1897 at West Hartlepool, Durham to his parents Arthur and Sarah, his father being employed as a solicitor. On 8 December 1897, he was baptised at St. James Church, Hartlepool. There is little information about his early life, although it is known he went to Brinkburn School, Hartlepool. He then went onto the Technical College, West Hartlepool and at Armstrong College, Newcastle. Following this, he went onto employment as an apprentice electrical engineer at the Hartlepool Engine Works of Messrs Richardson, Westgarth, and Co. He left this position around 17 October 1917 of his own accord to join the Royal Flying Corps and following his initial training in England at St Leonards-On-Sea near Hastings, around Christmas 1917 was sent to complete his flying training at The Curragh, County Kildare, Ireland as part of 19 Training Squadron.
On 13 April 1918, William graduated as a pilot having flown the BE2, DH6 and the DH4 aircraft. He was training as a photography pilot and this may have been the reason for him staying on at Curragh after his graduation as a pilot.
About noon on Saturday, 4 May 1918, William, along with his passenger Air Mechanic 1st Class Matthew Wardale boarded the R.E.8 aircraft, serial number E10 and following take off, climbed to around 400 feet, heading in the direction of Kildare. Several minutes later, for an unknown reason, the aircraft entered a spin, which William, the pilot of the aircraft was unable to get out of due to the low altitude. It then crashed to the ground bursting into flames. On arrival of the witnesses, they found the aircraft badly damaged and fiercely ablaze. They managed to pull Matthew Wardale from the wreckage but it appears that William Geipel could not be retrieved at the time due to the intense flames. When the fire was extinguished, both were found to be deceased.
About 6 May 1918, William Geipel was laid to rest at Stranton Grange Cemetery, West Hartlepool. There was a large attendance at the service held at Christ Church, Hartlepool. The service was conducted by the Reverend J. Falloon and during the service, the hymns “Let Saints on Earth” and “Peace, Perfect Peace” were sung. At the close of the service the Dead March in “Saul” was played. The coffin, covered with the Union flag and floral tributes. The coffin was borne from the church by men of the Yorkshire Regiment, and the cortege was headed by the Yorkshire Regiment band and firing party The procession was lined with hundreds of sympathisers. Those present at the funeral included Mr. A.S. Tyson who was representing Messrs. Richardsons, Westgarth, and Company and a number of former colleagues of deceased. This was followed by the sounding of the “Last Post” and the firing of the final salute.
The following week, an inquest was held into their deaths, the result of which found no blame attached to either airman. (A report on this inquest can be found below.)
His mother and father were inheritors of his belongings and pension.
Northern Daily Mail
Extract from the above publication dated 6 May 1918 :-
Mr. A. Geipel, solicitor, Scarborough Street, and Mrs. Geipel have received word that their only son. Acting Sergeant William Geipel, of the Royal Air Force, was killed in an aeroplane accident at the Curragh on Saturday. A machine in which Sergeant Geipel and a comrade, Private Wardell, were flying caught fire and dashed to the ground, both the occupants being killed. Sergeant Geipel who was 20 years of age, was an apprentice electrical engineer at the Hartlepool Engine Works of Messrs, Richardsons, Westgarth and Co. In October last he left of his own accord in order to join the Air Force, and after training in England, went to the Curragh, shortly after Christmas. He got his pilot’s certificate about a fortnight ago. The deceased airman is to be buried here with military honours. Deceased was educated at the Technical College, West Hartlepool, and the Armstrong College, Newcastle.
The Inquest
Extract from The Kildare Observer dated 11 May 1918 :-
Flying Accident at the Curragh.
Dr. Kenna, Coroner for North Kildare, held an inquest at Newbridge Military Barracks on Monday morning on the bodies of Serjeant-Pilot W. Gerpel (sic) and First Air Mechanic M.W. Wardell (sic), both of the Royal Flying Corps, who were killed while flying in an aeroplane over the Curragh on Saturday. Head-Constable Sweeney represented the R.I.C. (Royal Irish Constabulary).
Captain Ponsonby, of Beresford Barracks, deposed he knew the deceased, Matthew Wardell. He was in the 19th Training Squadron, Royal Air Service, Photograph Section. I saw him alive about 11.50 on Saturday morning. He was in the passenger seat of an aeroplane No.E10. I saw the Aeroplane departing from the aerodrome at the Curragh Camp, and kept the machine under observation for about three minutes. It went in the direction of Kildare. The machine was about 400 ft. from the ground when I last observed it, and it seemed to be going all right. I hurried immediately to the scene of the accident.
- Coroner – How do you know there was an accident?
- Witness – I saw the fire. For the three minutes I was observing the aeroplane was going all right. I suddenly saw some officers running in the direction of the ambulance. I turned again to see the machine. Just then, hearing a terrific crash, I observed a volume of fire and smoke. The ambulance was despatched at once. I went immediately to the scene of the accident.
- Head-Constable Sweeney – In a motor car?
- Witness – Yes I went to the Stone Barracks and found the body of the deceased. First Air Mechanic Wardell had already been dragged from the wreckage. He was dead at the time. There were a number of people around the machine attempting to extinguish the fire. The deceased was married.
- Captain Inglefied said – I knew the deceased William Gerpel, who was a sergeant pilot in the Royal Air Force, and was aged about 25 or 26 years (20 years old). I saw him about 10 minutes to 12 on Saturday morning in the same aeroplane as the deceased Matthew Wardell. I walked up and spoke to him just before he left the ground. He had done approximately 62 hours flying in the Royal Air Force and he was quite competent to fly the machine. He had flown the machine before. On arriving at the scene of the accident I observed Sergeant Gerpel’s dead body lying back in the pilot’s seat. Sergeant Gerpel was not married. Wardell was married, and, I think, has three children.
When Corporal Charles Wilkinson was called Head-Constable Sweeney said he wished to call him owing to some remarks which had been made. He wished to show that nothing had been left undone.
- Corporal Wilkinson stated – I was at the scene of the accident about two minutes after it occurred To Head-Constable Sweeney – The only persons present at the time were two gentlemen on horseback. The engine was pointing to Kildare. The engine was burning fiercely at the time.
- Head-Constable Sweeney – The flames at the time would prevent anyone rushing forward to the aeroplane? – Yes.
- Coroner – In the circumstances nothing possible could have been done to save the men’s lives? – No, sir. To a juror – I observed a slight movement in the arm of one of the men. The other was dead. The movement was in the hand of Wardell. I believe Gerpel was dead at the time. I believe nothing could be done to save either of the men’s lives.
- Coroner – That is your opinion honestly expressed?
- Witness – Yes, sir.
Dr. Joseph Roantree deposed that shortly after 12 o’clock on the 4th inst. he saw the bodies of the deceased in Newbridge barracks – William Gerpel and Matthew Wardell. They were both dead. Sergt. Gerpel’s body was extensively burned over the face, legs and arms. The skull was fractured severely. He was comatose, and asphyxiated by the fumes. I believe the cause of death was coma, probably accelerated by asphyxia, due to the burning fumes of the petrol. To the Coroner – The fall to the ground fractured his skull, and death may have been accelerated by asphyxiating fumes. Coma was produced by the fracture of the skull.
Dr. Roantree further stated – Matthew Wardell had extensive burns over the face, hands and right leg. He had a severe contusion on the left side of the chest, and over the heart area end on this side seven ribs were broken. I believe in his case death was due to syncope, the result of the severe blow on the heart, and probably accelerated by the fumes.
The Coroner having reviewed the evidence, the jury found a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony. They believed that in both cases, following the injuries from the fall, death had been accelerated by the burning petrol causing asphyxiation.
Court of Enquiry
Following the Royal Air Force Court of Enquiry, they concluded that “The Court having considered the evidence and viewed the scene of the accident are of the opinion that the pilot, No.100045 Sergeant Geipel, W. and 1/A.M. Wardale, got into a spin and had not sufficient height to get out again.
Further, the court is of opinion that no blame can be attached to the Sergeants in charge of the engine or the Sergeant in charge of the Rigging.”
Family
William Geipel was born on 9 November 1897 at West Hartlepool, Durham. The following family information is taken from the 1901 and 1911 Census, Pension Card and Christening Records.
His family is shown as follows :-
- Father: Arthur Geipel, born c.1864 at Hartlepool, Durham – Solicitor.
- Mother: Sarah Jane Geipel, born c.1874 at Middlesbrough, Yorkshire.
- Sister: Muriel, born c.1904 at West Hartlepool, Durham.
- Sister: Irene, born c.1908 at West Hartlepool, Durham.
The family were clearly ‘well off’ as the household is shown as having a servant in both the 1901 and 1911 Census.
Addresses
The following addresses have been ascertained for William Geipel which have been taken from the 1901 and 1911 Census and his R.A.F. Service Record :-
- 1901: Winterlude, Park Road, Westhartlepool, Durham.
- 1911: Winterlude, Park Road, Westhartlepool, Durham.
- 1918: 34, Scarborough Street, West Hartlepool, Durham.
Medals
As William did not serve in a War Zone, he was not awarded any medals for his service.
Memorials
William Geipel is honoured and remembered on the following memorials :-
Remarks
There are various spellings of the surnames of the two airmen killed in this accident, however, the correct spelling are Geipel and Wardale.
Links to Additional Information
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission: W. Geipel.
- Find a Grave website: William Geipel.
- A Street Near You website: W. Geipel.
- IWM Film – R.A.F. Cadets arriving at St. Leonards, 1918.
- Lives of the First World War: William Geipel.
References
- The Kildare Observer dated 11 May 1918, page 6.
- Northern Daily Mail dated 6 May 1918, page 3.
- 1901 Census.
- 1911 Census.
- R.A.F. Officers Service Records 1918.
- Register of Soldiers Effects.
- Pension Card.
- Select English Births and Christenings.
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
- R.A.F. Casualty Cards.
- Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 9 May 1918, page 2.
Groups
Contributors:-
- Vincent Stuart.
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