Lieutenant, H.M.S. "Waterwitch", Royal Naval Reserve. Killed while in passage in H.M.S. "Lowain", ship sunk, Sunday 20th January 1918. Aged 42. Son of Edward Le Couteur Bisson, of Jersey, Channel Islands; husband of Clarisse Maud Bisson, of 92, Siebert Road, Westcombe Park, Blackheath, London. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 29.

Captain, 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Died on Monday 24th August 1914. Aged 25. Son of Ernest and Maud Briard, (nee de Gruchy), of Bulwark House, St Aubins, Jersey. Commemorated in ELOUGES COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Dour, Hainaut, Belgium. Special Memorial C. I.

Extract from British Army, Bond Of Sacrifice: Officers Died In The Great War 1914-1916, Volum 2, page 55:

CAPTAIN ERNEST FELIX VICTOR BRIARD, 1st BATTN. THE NORFOLK REGIMENT, born at St. Helier's, Jersey, was a son of the late Captain Ernest Briard, Royal Jersey Artillery, and of Mrs. Briard, Bulwark House, St. Aubin's, Jersey, and a grandson of William Laurence de Gruchy, Barrister-at-Law, Gray's Inn.
He was educated at Victoria College, Jersey, and at Felsted. While at the latter he got his colours for cricket, football, and fives. Afterwards he entered the R.M.C., Sandhurst, and in February, 1909, he was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the Norfolk Regiment, and was posted to the 1st Battalion, becoming Lieutenant in the following November. While he was stationed at Aldershot he played hockey for the Army against the Navy and against Oxford University.
Captain Briard, who was promoted to that rank in June, 1915, was reported " missing " in the first casualty list published after Mona, and then " wounded and prisoner." Later this was found to be a mistake, and further information proved that he was killed in action while leading his platoon on the withdrawal from Mons on the afternoon of the 24th August, 1914, between Dour and Elouges, in Belgium.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll Of Honour 1914-1918, Volume 2, page 38:

BRIARD, ERNEST FELIX VICTOR, Capt., 1st Battn. (9th Foot) The Norfolk Regt., eldest s. of the late Capt. Ernest Briard, Royal Jersey Artillery, by his wife, Maud Irene (Bulwark House, St. Aubin's, Jersey), dau. of William Laurence de Gruchy, Barrister-at-Law ; b. St. Helier's, Jersey, 4 Oct. 1888 ; educ. Victoria College, Jersey ; Felsted School, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst ; gazetted 2nd Lieut. Norfolk Regt., 6 Feb. 1909 ; promoted Lieut. 24 Nov. following, and Capt. 10 June, 1915 ; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 17 Aug, 1914 ; was reported wounded and missing after the fighting near Mons on the 24th, and is now assumed to have been killed in action on that date. While at Foisted he was a Prefect ; a member of the cricket and football elevens, also captain of the hockey team, and, later, represented the Army at hockey against the Navy and against Oxford University ; unm.

Midshipman, H.M.S. "Queen Mary.", Royal Navy. Died on Wednesday 31st May 1916. Aged 18. Born Cawnpore, India. Son of Lt. Col. F. A. D'O. Goddard (late Royal Munster Fusiliers), of 45, Warwick Rd., Earl's Court, London, and the late Evelyn Maud Goddard, and his grandparents were Lt. Col Alfred James Le Gallais and Amelia Le Quesne all of St. Helier, Jersey. After Denis was wounded serving on H.M.S. Ocean at Gallipoli he spent a great deal of time in late 1914 to 1915 with his grandparents. Commemorated on PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire. Panel 11.

Left - a picture of Denis in 1914 after he graduated from Dartmouth Naval College as a Midshipman
Photograph © Malcolm Goddard 2023

[Also known by the English transalation as NIGHTINGALE] Born in St Brelades 17 July 1891. Brother of Wlfred (below), son of Mrs. Philip Le Rossignol, of Cora Lodge, Bulwarke Hill, St. Aubins, Jersey, Channel Islands. He emigrated to Canada along with his three brothers in the early 1900's. The brothers travelled freqently between Jersey and Canada. (Walter Philip Le Rossignol and Edmund Theodore Le Rossignol were the other two brothers - Edmund was also known in Canada under the anglicized name of Nightingale). attested 23 July 1915 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada into the battalion Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force. Regiment No 458150. F Served 60th Bn CEF (14 Months). He served in France and suffered shrapnell wounds to the back, which smashed his scapula and left him with shrapnel in his lungs in action, 2 June 1916 at Hooge during the Battle of Mont Sorrel whilst serving with the 60th Battalion. He received medical treatment and was sent to England and eventually sent home to Canada. He attempted to reattest 15 January 1918 in Canada but was rejected on medical grounds. He died 5 November 1918 probaly in Grand River, Caspé, Quebec, Canada. His cause of death is not known for certain but the fact he was included on the War Memorial at St Brelade would indicate his death was war related.

His attestation papers list his profession as Clerk of General Stores, resident Grand River, Caspé, Quebec, Canada. His mother was Mrs. P. Le Rossignol, of Labey House, St Aubins, Jersey. He was unmarried when he attested. Height 5 feet 5 inches, chest 36½ inches, weight 132 lbs, dark complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair; religious denomination Church of England. He was aged 26 years 6 months when he was discharged. National Archives of Canada Accession Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 5587 - 22

Second Lieutenant, Central Flying School, Upavon, Wiltshire, Royal Flying Corps and 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. Killed in a flying accident flying in a Farman (Henri) H.F.20, aircraft serial number 2841, 30 May 1916; assumed to be caused by a sideslip close to the ground, aircraft complete wreck. Aged 19. Son of Ernest P. M. Le Sauvage, of The Lodge, Beaumont, Jersey. Mentioned in Despatches (MiD). Buried in ST. BRELADE CHURCHYARD AND CEMETERY, JERSEY, Channel Islands. Grave 612. See also Charterhouse School, Godalming, Surrey

Extract from Dundee Courier - Wednesday 31 May 1916, page 3 and Birmingham Daily Post - Wednesday 31 May 191, page 4:

DOUBLE AVIATION FATALITY

A double aviation fatality happened at the Flying School, Upavon, Wilts, early yesterday morning, when an officer and a mechanic were flying a biplane.

The officer was Lieut. Ernest Davis le Sauvage, Ist Dorchester Regiment, attached to the school as assistant instructor. He was only nineteen years of age, his home being at Beaumont, Jersey. The other man was William John Woodland, second air mechanic, aged 28, married, of Camden Street, Essex Road, Islington.

Extract from Westerham Herald - Saturday 3 June 1916, page 8:

TWO AIRMEN KILLED

Two airmen were killed at the Flying School, Upavon, Wilts, early on Tuesday morning, when an officer and a mechanic were flying a biplane. The victims were Lieutenant Ernest Davis Le Sauvage, 1st Dorsetshire Regiment, attached to the school as assistant instructor, and William John Woodland, second air mechanic.

Extract from Somerset Standard - Friday 2 June 1916, page 2 and Western Daily Press - Thursday 1 June 1916, page 8:

FOUR AIR FATALITIES IN WILTSHIRE.

Inquests were held on Wednesday at the Central Flying School, Upavon, on the bodies of four victims of air fatalities at Upavon and Netheravon on successive days. The two first were Lieut. Ernest Davis Le Sauvage, Dorset Regiment, aged 19, assistant instructor at Upavon Flying School, and William John Woodland, second air mechanic, aged 28, married, of Camden-street, Essex-road, Islington.

The second inquest was on the bodies of Flight-Sergt. Enos George West, Wiled 22, and Second-Class Air Mechanic William Burlinson, aged 28, both members of the Royal Flying Corps. All four bodies were lying in the mortuary at the Central Flying School.

Captain Eustace Grenfell, instructor at the school, deposed that Lieut. Le Sauvage left the aerodrome at about 5.10 the previous morning. He was acting as pilot in a Henri-Farman biplane, with Second-Air Mechanic Woodland. It was a fine morning, but hazy. A crash was heard a few minutes later, and a mechanic named Elijah Page was sent out in the direction of Ludgershall. He found the machine had fallen about half a mile from where it started. Lieut. Le Sauvage was an experienced pilot.

Captain James Keenan, the medical officer, deposed that both men suffered from fractured skulls.

A verdict of " Accidental death " was returned.

The second Inquest was on the bodies of Sergt. West and Mechanic Burlinson.

First-Air Mechanic Henderson deposed that he saw Burlinson and West start in a Maurice-Farman biplane at ten minutes to nine that morning at Netheravon. It had been flown that morning, and was in good condition.

The jury returned a verdict of " Accidental death," and the coroner expressed sympathy with the relatives.

Extract from Western Gazette - Friday 02 June 1916, page 3:

FOUR AIR FATALITIES ON SALISBURY PLAIN.
BIPLANES FALL AT UPAVON AXD NETHERAVON.

The Royal Flying Corps have had a melancholy addition to the death-roll, resulting from the development of the science of aviation on Salisbury Plain, Mr. F. A. P. Sylvester (coroner for Mid-Wilts) holding inquests on four victims at Central Flying School, at Upavon, on Wednesday afternoon. The first tragedy happened Tuesday morning, when Lieut. Ernest Davies le Sauvage, of the Dorset Regiment, attached to the Central Flying Corps as assistant instructor, at the Central School Upavon, and Second-Class Air Mcchanic William John Woodland, also the School, were killed through the fall of Henri-Farman biplane. Lieut. Sauvage was between 19 and 20 years of age, his home was Beaumont, Jersey. Woodland was 28 years of age, married, with his home at Islington, London. The victims in the second fatality, which happened on Wednesday morning, just before ten o'clock, at Netheravon, were Flight-Sergeant Enos George West, of the Royal Flying Corps, at Netherayon. aged 22, and Second-Class Air Mechanic William Burkinson, also stationed at Netheravon. Inquests on the bodies were held Wednesday, when the cvidence showed that casualties were purely accidental, and a verdict was returned accordingly.

Extract from Chester Chronicle - Saturday 03 June 1916, page 5:

MR. J. A. COWLEY’S NEPHEW KILLED.
VICTIM OF FLYING ACCIDENT.
BRAVE BOY WHO WAS MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES

It is with extreme regret that we announce the death, as the result of flying accident, of Lieut. Ernest Davis Le Sauvage, the nephew of Mrs. J. A. Cowley, wife of the clerk to the Northwich Urban Council. The accident happened at the Flying School, Upavon, Wiltshire, and resulted in a double fatality, in which the young Lieutenant and the second air mechanic, William John Woodland, were killed.

Lieut. Le Sauvage was only 19 years of age and, like his aunt, was native of Beaumont, Jersey. He joined the Army when little more than 17 and saw severe service in France. It will be remembered that twelve months ago he was wounded in three places by shrapnel, was mentioned in despatches by Sir John French for conspicuous bravery at Hill 60, and, on being invalided home, spent ten days with Mr. Cowley at Northwich. He was then second lieutenant. He was attached to the Dorset Regiment, and since his recovery from wounds was transferred to the Flying Corps, and acted as assistant instructor at the Flying School. The accident occurred early Tuesday morning, and the inquest on the bodies of the two unfortunate aviators was held on Wednesday, when a verdict of “Accidentally killed” was returned.

Our readers will join us in expressions of deep sympathy with Mr. and Mrs. Cowley and Mrs. Cowley’s parents in the affliction which has overtaken them. Lieut. Savage was a fine type of young soldier, manly and brave, and, having gone through many engagements, it sad to think that he has lost his life in another branch of the service.

It was stated that the accident occurred on a havy (sic) morning, and Lieut. Sauvarez (sic) was acting pilot of a biplane. A crash was heard and the machine was found on the ground smashed to pieces. No theory could bo offered as to the cause of the mishap.

Boy 1st Class J/55411, H.M.S. "Vanguard.", Royal Navy. Died in an explosion on the ship on Monday 9th July 1917. Aged 16. Son of A. L. Mauger. Formerly a porter at Millbrook railway station. Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Column 21.

Either John Francis Vibert, Private 203471, 1st/4th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. Died in Mesopotamia Friday 21st December 1917. Enlisted Jersey, Channel Islands, resident St Owen's, Jersey, Channel Islands. Buried in BAGHDAD (NORTH GATE) WAR CEMETERY, Iraq. Grave II. B. 11.

or John Vibert, Rifleman, 4363, 7th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. Killed in action Wednesday 6th September 1916. Born St Helier's, Jersey, Channel Islands, enlisted Jersey, Channel Islands. Buried in GUILLEMONT ROAD CEMETERY, GUILLEMONT, Somme, France. Grave I.L.5.

or James Vibert, Rifleman 4380, 7th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. Died Thursday 16th August 1917. Aged 23. Born St Helier's, Jersey, Channel Islands, enlisted Jersey, Channel Islands. Son of George Phillip Vibert, of 3, Elizabeth Villas, Tower Rd., Jersey, Channel Islands. Commemorated on TYNE COT MEMORIAL, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 138 to 140 and 162 to 162A and 163A

Pilot Officer 33428, 18 Squadron (Bristol Blenheim I's). Died 21st March 1940 after taking off from Rosieres-En-Santerre he crashed near Tangmere, on his way to Kemble, whilst making an approach to an airfield. There were 2 survivors; he was the pilot. Aged 20. Son of Lt.-Col. Henry Horne Hulton, and of Isobel Hope Millicent Hulton, of Beaumont. Buried in the north of ST. BRELADE CHURCHYARD (behind the memorial), JERSEY. Grave 452.

Extract from Kent & Sussex Courier - Friday 5 July 1940

On 21 March 1940 the Blenheim L1427 of 18 Sqn RAF took off from Rosieres-en-Santerre at 0800 hrs bound for Kemble via Tangmere. It crossed the English coast East of Shoreham, disappeared into cloud over the hills North of Brighton and, still in cloud, crashed on a hill-top known as Jeffries Point, Portslade. The crash was witnessed by three men who were working in a field a few yards from where the aircraft first touched the ground. Gerald Winter, an agricultural worker of the East Sussex Agricultural Committee, was one of these men.

The Blenheim caught fire on impact and travelled for a distance of 300 yards coming to rest in a gorse bush on the side of the hill. The grass and gorse caught fire from the point where it first struck the ground to the point where it finally came to rest. Winter immediately ran to the scene, and was informed by Corporal Lapwood, one of the crew who had managed to extricate himself from the wreckage, that there were still men inside. Winter immediately extricated A.C.I Oultram. He then climbed into the gun turret in an endeavour to locate the remainder of the crew. He saw two figures at the front of the machine beyond his reach. Climbing from the turret he tried with great gallantry to approach the nose of the aircraft but was unable to do so owing to the explosion of the ammunition and the intense heat of the flames. Moreover, the gorse plantation in the middle of which the aircraft had come to rest was also on fire. Winter was awarded the EGM, later changed to a George Cross.

Crew:
Plt Off Henry Stephen Penton Hutton (pilot) KIFA
Sgt Oliver William Dumbreck (observer) KIFA
LAC Oultram WIFA
Cpl G.E. Lapwood WIFA

possibly John Ranulph de la Haule MARETT, Lieut-Commander, H.M.S. Glorious, Royal Navy. Died on Sunday 9th June 1940. Aged 40. Son of Robert Ranulph Marett and of Nora Marett (nee Kirk), of Oxford; husband of Johanna Maria Margharita Marett (nee Minoux), of Oxford. B.Sc. (Oxon.). Commemorated on PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon. Panel 36, Column 1.