John Cedric Railton (1890 - 1916)

Ancestors

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Biography

Pilot of the Royal Naval Air Service. Died because of it in 1917 during the 1st World War while undertaking an air-patrol along the coast.

We will remember them, May 1917

Alderley Edge suffered only one casualty in May 1917 - Flight Lieutenant John Cedric Railton, of the Royal Naval Air Service. Aerial warfare was in its infancy in the First World War. The Royal Flying Corps was formed in 1912 and the RNAS was separated from it in 1914. Its main function was to patrol the coasts and waters around the UK for enemy ships and U-boats. It was presumably while engaged in this work that Flt-Lieut. Railton, who was based at Tresco in the Isles of Scilly – the western approaches to the Channel - was drowned on 9th May.

John Cedric Railton was the eldest son of Charles Withington Railton, a stockbroker, and his wife Charlotte. He was born in 1890 and baptized at St Philip’s Church. He was educated at St Bee’s School in Cumbria. In 1911, aged 21, he was living with his parents at Cherry Tree House, Macclesfield Road, and is described as a sharebroker’s clerk, probably working for his stockbroker father. He enlisted on 2nd November 1914 in the RNAS and was assigned to the armoured car division. A little-known aspect of the history of the RNAS is that at the outbreak of the war an RNAS squadron went to France to support the ground forces. Having few aircraft, their commander formed the UK’s first armoured car unit, which Railton joined. He was with this unit until it disbanded in August 1915, when its work was taken over by the army. He then trained as a pilot, obtaining his certificate on 1st February 1916 on a Maurice Farman biplane.

Royal Navy Officers Medal Roll 1914-1920 Transcription Learn more

Print transcription View image First name(s) John Cedric Last name Railton Year 1914 Service number - Rank or rating Flight Lieutenant Unit or regiment Tresco Naval Air Station (Pilot) Service R.N.A.S. Awards - 1914 Star roll reference number - Medals/clasps earned 1914-15 Star, Victory & British War Medals How issued or disposed of Father. Death year 1917 Death date 08/05/1917 Cause of death Killed whilst flying in Curtiss H8 "Large America" Flying Boat No.8664, fell in sea & exploded 1 mile SW of Gush Island, Scilly (Flt Sub Lt. R.S. WHIGHAM & LM D.J. BIRSE also killed). Remarks I.C. 38/414. Notes - Medal type Royal Navy Officers, Medal Roll, 1914-1920 Country Great Britain Record set Britain, Campaign, Gallantry & Long Service Medals & Awards Category Military, armed forces & conflict Subcategory Medal rolls and honours Collections from Great Britain, UK None

Interestingly, his younger brother, Reid Railton, was a motor engineer who designed the car (the Railton Special) in which John Cobb broke the land speed record in 1947.

Sources

• "Who am I" fysh family file.

Sharman family photo albums

http://www.stphilipandstjames.co.uk/alderley-world-war-1/alderley-world-war-1-may-1917.php

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbm%2frno%2f23426