RANDELL, Cosma Lake
| Service Numbers: | 730, 47302 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 7 September 1915, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | Royal Flying Corps |
| Born: | Gumeracha, South Australia , 24 October 1892 |
| Home Town: | Renmark, Renmark Paringa, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Plumber |
| Died: | Killed In Action (Flying Battle), France, 23 August 1917, aged 24 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Arras Flying Services Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 7 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 730, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Mar 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 43rd Infantry Battalion | |
| 30 Apr 1916: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 730, 43rd Infantry Battalion | |
| 23 Aug 1917: | Involvement Sergeant, 47302, Royal Flying Corps |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Virtual Australia
Text supplied by Chas Schaedel and the South Australian Aviation Museum History Group
Cosma Lake Randell was born on 24 October 1892 in Gumeracha, South Australia and was employed as a plumber when he enlisted for service with the AIF in Adelaide on 7 September 1915. He joined the 14th Reinforcements of the 3rd Field Company Engineers and later transferred to the 43rd Infantry Battalion. He was discharged at his own request on 30 April 1916 and made his own way to England where he joined the Royal Flying Corps (RFC).
Randell graduated as a Sergeant pilot on 30 August 1916. He was posted to France and flew with No.22 Squadron RFC and on 23 August 1917 exactly a year after gaining RAeC Certificate 3415, Randell and his Observer 1Air Mechanic J V Hurley were killed when their Bristol F2B Fighter B1101 was shot down in flames during a combat with five enemy aircraft.
Randell's older brother Wentworth also flew as a pilot but as a Second Lieutenant in No.4 Squadron AFC.
Biography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Cosma Lake RANDELL was born on 24th October, 1892 in Gumeracha, South Australia
His parents were Albert Wentworth RANDELL and Margaret McLEAN
He was engaged to Olive Pearsall DOUGLASS in 1915
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