Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Deaths Jun 1918 Levy Alwyn G 19 E.Ashford 2a 1112
E.Ashford is an alternative name for East Ashford and it is in the county of Kent.

Although he served with British forces [RAF], he is commemorated as an Australian casualty by reason of the following.

News has been received by Mr Reub. Levy

that his nephew, Flight Lieutenant Alwyn

Levy, aged 20, the only son of Mr. Bert

Levy, the Australian artist, now resident in

New York, was accidentally killed by the

result of a collision in mid-air near London.

The lad enlisted with the Canadian Flying

Corps.

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland 

Died on this date – 25th April…… 2nd Lt Alwyn Gordon Levy was born on 23rd March, 1898 in Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Alwyn Levy, aged 8, & his mother Harriet Levy, aged 34, were both passengers on S.S. Sonoma which sailed from Sydney, NSW, Australia & arrived at San Francisco, California, U.S.A. on 5th February, 1906.
They were passengers on S.S. Caronia which sailed from Liverpool, England on 9th October, 1909 bound for New York, U.S.A. They both listed their last permanent residence as New York, U.S.A. & the name of the nearest relative from the country they came from was listed as (sister) Mrs Susman, 35W 96 Street, New York.

Alwyn G. Levy, aged 12, & his mother Harriet Levy, aged 39, were both passengers on S.S. Caronia which sailed from Liverpool, England on 22nd October, 1910 bound for New York, U.S.A. They both listed their last permanent residence as Melbourne, Australia & the name of the nearest relative from the country they came from was listed as “Friend – Mr Waxman, Queen St, Melbourne.” The S.S. Caronia arrived in New York on 31st October, 1910.

Alwyn Gordon Levy attended Columbia College to study engineering. He had graduated from Union College in Schenectady, New York.

On 2nd June, 1917 Alwyn G. Levy, Student, aged 20, was listed as crossing the U.S./Canadian border travelling from Malone, New York to Montreal.

Alwyn Gordon Levy enlisted with the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 7th June, 1917. His date of birth date was listed as 23rd March, 1897 & his address as listed as Windsor Hotel, Montreal. Alwyn Levy stated he was a “Student. Motor Cyclist” & had served with Students Training Camp in New York, U.S. His next of kin was listed as Bert Levy of 1104 Kenmore Place, Brooklyn, New York.

He was assigned to Canadian Engineers - Signal Training Depot with a number of 2265613.

On 28th November, 1917 Alwyn Levy was approved to join the Canadian Royal Flying Corps with a number of CAN. 153057. He stated he was aged 20 years & 7 months & his trade was listed as “Misc. Aviator Cadet (Student). He had served as a Divisional Signaller – Sapper for 5 months.

He was posted at Toronto, Canada on 28th November, 1917 as 3rd Air Mechanic.

3rd Air Mechanic Alwyn Gordon Levy was discharged from Royal Flying Corps, Canada on 16th February, 1918 “having been selected for appointment to temporary commission - Kings Regulation Para. 392 (xxviii).”

Alwyn Gordon Levy joined the British Royal Flying Corps. His permanent home address was listed as 1104 Kenmore Place, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A. & his next-of-kin was listed as Bert Levy.

His special qualifications were listed as “three years technical training Physics, Mathematics, General Engineering, slight knowledge of French. 6 months service with C.E.F. (Despatch Rider) since joining R.F.C.” Alwyn Gordon Levy has flown “solo on Curtiss N4 – 25 hrs 15m; dual on Curtis N4 – 3hrs 50 m; Avro – Graduation from the School of Aerial Gunnery R.F.C.”

On 20th March, 1918 2nd Lieutenant Alwyn Gordon Levy was posted to No. 42 Training Squadron at Wye, Kent, England (RAF's South Eastern Area, and was part of the 6th Wing in No 1 (Training) Group).
He was promoted to Flying Officer on 24th March, 1918.

On 25th April, 1918, 2nd Lieutenant Alwyn Gordon Levy was the pilot of a Sopwith Pup, serial number D4079, from No. 42 Training Squadron at Wye, Kent, England, under instruction in aerial fighting.

At the same time Lieutenant Cyril Whelan, cousin of Alwyn Levy, was flying an Avro 504, serial number D4394, also from No. 42 Training Squadron, with Lieutenant Edmund Douglas Marrable as passenger. The Avro collided with the Sopwith Pup around 6.45 pm near the Golden Ball public house between Wye and Kennington, Kent, England. All 3 airmen were killed.

Second Lieutenant Alwyn Gordon Levy died on 25th April, 1918 at Kennington, London, England as the result of mid-air collision between 2 aeroplanes.
He was buried in Willesden Jewish Cemetery, Willesden, Brent, London, England where 7 other WW1 Australian War Graves are located.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/jewish-cemetery.html

His parents were Abram [Bert] and Harriet.

He enlisted in Canada describing himself as a Student and Motorcyclist.