One of the RFCs most experienced aviators died today following a crash on 31 January. Major Leslie Da Costa Penn-Gaskell, the commanding officer of 11 Reserve Squadron crashed his BE2c (2091) into a tree on return from an anti-zeppelin patrol at night, near Northolt. The aircraft subsequently caught fire.
Penn-Gaskill had transferred to the RFC in March 1914, having been in the reserve, and having passed his flying certificate back in October 1912. He had originally been with the Norfolk Regiment. At the outbreak of war he was with 5 Squadron and travelled to France. He became a Flight Commander (and Temporary Captain) in April 1915 and shortly afterwards was posted to 9 Squadron. In October 1915 he returned to England as a Flight Commander with 10 Reserve Squadron. He had only been appointed Squadron Commander of 11 Reserve Squadron and Temporary Major on the day of his crash.
Penn-Gaskill’s former colleague Major Ernest Frederic Unwin, Squadron Commander of 10 Reserve Squadron suffered a similar accident on the same night, and is critically ill in hospital.
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