John Albert Garside

An Air Mechanic 1st Class with 17th Squadron, 5th Wing, John died on 19th of June 1916 at the age of 29. 

John was born at Grimsby on 20 February 1887, a son of James and Sarah Garside. He was baptised at Saint Paul’s Church, Grimsby, on 10 December 1889, and his family lived at 23 Fildes Street and this was still their home in 1891. By 1901 they were living at 19 Claremont Terrace, Isaacs Hill, Cleethorpes. By 1911 John’s father had died and his mother lived, with his sister, at 423 Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes. Later she lived at 296 London Road, Lowestoft. It is possible that John was living in London in 1911.  

John was working as an electrical engineer and living at 50 Coronation Road, Coventry, when he enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps, at Coventry, on 19 February 1915. He was given service number 3711.

On 1 October 1915 he was promoted to Air Mechanic 1st Class. In 1916 he was posted to the Middle East and served with 17 Squadron.

On 15 June 1916 two BE2c aircraft of 17 Squadron flew to an advanced post, around 50 miles to the west of Kharga, Egypt, with the intention of flying again the next day and making a reconnaissance of the Dakhla Osais and monitor any activity of the Senussi tribes. 

John was the observer in one of the aircraft which was piloted by Second Lieutenant Stewart G. Ridley. The next day John’s aircraft could not take off due to engine problems. The other aircraft did take off: the crew intending to return with help.

It seems that John kept a diary of the events as they unfolded. After working on the engine they got it to start and were soon airborne, but after about 25 minutes the engine failed again and they landed. Again they managed to start the engine and flew on, but again the engine failed. Reports, based on the account of the officer in charge of the party that searched for them, suggest that Lieutenant Ridley shot himself in the hope of giving John and better opportunity to survive. This was to no avail. According to John’s service papers he died from exhaustion, though other sources state dehydration or exposure.

These quotes are taken from John’s diary:

Six p.m. (Sunday 18 June): Found it was further than we thought; got there eventually; very done up. No luck. Walked back; hardly any water, about a spoonful. Mr. Ridley shot himself at 10.30 on Sunday whilst my back was turned. No water all day; don't know how to go on; got one Very light; dozed all day, feeling very weak; wish someone would come; cannot last much longer.

Monday (19 June).—Thought of water in compass, got half bottle; seems to be some kind of spirit. Can last another day. Fired Lewis gun, about four rounds; shall fire my Very light to-night; last hope without machine comes. Could last days if had water.

Meanwhile the crew of the second aircraft returned to find John and Lieutenant Ridley. When they could not find them at the original landing point an extensive search was undertaken, but was too late to save either John or Lieutenant Ridley. 

See: “He spent his dear boy’s life for England” - The tragic story of 2/Lt Stewart Ridley | The Western Front Association

Died from exposure after a forced landing in the Libyan Desert on 16 Jun 1916 with "Lt S G Ridley, who died on 18 Jun 1916 CREDIT:Malcolm Barrass