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Text supplied by Chas Schaedel and the South Australian Aviation Museum History Group

Bertram James was born on 8 June 1895 at Balaclava and went overseas from Grange in South Australian to served in the Royal Flying Corps. After gaining RAC Certificate 3419 at Netheravon on 15 August 1916 he was commissioned as FO pilot and presumably served with No.3 Squadron in France from late in the year.

James was forced down on 17 July  and then again on 19 July 1917. He suffered injury to his knee and shock and was promoted to Captain in September before returning to Home establishment in England as an instructor. On 7 May 1918 he an 2nd Lieutenant Nash were killed in Arvo 504 B8707 of No. 63 Training Squadron (TS) RFC at Joyce Green in England, where James was acting CO of the squadron at the time of his death.

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in UK & Ireland”
 

Bertie James was born on 8th June, 1895 at Balaklava, South Australia to parents Joseph Charles Dodge James & Emily James (nee Reynolds).

Joseph Charles Dodge James, father of Bert James, died 2nd March, 1914 in Perth, Western Australia.

On 23rd March, 1916 Bert James left Australia on Malwa to join the Royal Flying Corps in England.

The Royal Flying Corps

The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was the air arm of the British Army before and during the First World War, until it merged with the Royal Naval Air Service on 1st April, 1918 to form the Royal Air Force. During the early part of the war, the RFC supported the British Army, by artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance. This work gradually led RFC pilots into aerial battles with German pilots and later in the war included the strafing of enemy infantry and emplacements, the bombing of German military airfields and later the strategic bombing of German industrial and transportation facilities.

The R.F.C.'s motto was Per ardua ad astra ("Through adversity to the stars"). This remains the motto of the Royal Air Force (R.A.F.) and other Commonwealth air forces.

(Extract from Wikipedia)

The Supplement to The London Gazette dated 14th June, 1916 reported that Bert James was to be 2nd Lieutenant (on probation) from 3rd June, 1916.

2nd Lieutenant Bert James gained his Royal Aero Club Aviator’s Certificate on 15th August, 1916 at Military School, Netheravon, Wiltshire, England in a B.E.2c Biplane.

Newspaper item – The Advertiser, Adelaide, South Australia – 10 October, 1916:

LETTERS FROM THE FRONT

A LETTER FROM THE SKIES

From the unusual altitude of 6,000 ft. above English soil a young South Australian—Pilot Bert James, of the Royal Flying Corps—addresses a letter to his mother. This epistle, from an aeroplane, which bears the date August 5, reads:—"I expect you will be surprised to know I am writing this 6,000 ft. above mother earth. I am with a friend of mine — quite a young fellow — who has just finished his course and is going to France. He is a fine pilot, and it is just lovely here. We are going to Bournemouth, about 80 or 90 miles from home, having lunch there and coming back this afternoon. I am getting on splendidly, and think no more of going up by myself now than going in a car. I sat for my written examination on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday— (we just got a bump) — and I passed in everything. I have got to do one cross-country trip on my own — altogether about six hours flying — then I will get my wings as a first- class pilot. That will be in about 10 days' time, and I expect to go to France shortly after. We can see the sea now, and it is getting interesting. It is a bit bumpy up here, and the engine is vibrating a good deal."

On August 20 Pilot James further wrote: —"I have passed all my examinations and am now a full-blown aviator. I have got my wings — a badge worn on the left breast when you have qualified as a first-class pilot."  

The British Royal Air Force Officers’ Service Record for Bert James, No. 3427, recorded his permanent address as Bank of Adelaide, Leadenhall Street, London. His next-of-kin was listed as his mother – Mrs J. C. James, of “Clifton”, Military Road, Semaphore, South Australia. A later address was recorded as 1022 Victoria St., Prospect, Adelaide, South Australia. Under Special Qualifications: “General experience in Electric & Internal combustion engineering.” “Since joining R.F.C. Machines flown  M.F.A. St and L. H., B.R.’s, Moro, S.W., Bleriot, G.W. (Bullet), Morane Buller, Biplane and Pavosol, Bristol Scout, Sop. Scout. Passed special school of flying, Gosport.”

Lieutenant Bert James was appointed as Temporary Captain & Flight Commander while his Commanding Officer was on Leave.

He was attached to No. 63 Training Squadron, R.A.F. which was located at R.A.F. Joyce Green, near Dartford.

On 7th May, 1918 Captain James was instructing 2nd Lieutenant G. Nash in an Avro 504 serial No. B8707 from R.A.F. Joyce Green, near Dartford, Kent, England when it collided mid-air with another plane.

Captain Bert James died at 7.45 pm on 7th May, 1918 within sight of airfield at R.A.F. Joyce Green, near Dartford, Kent, England as the result of 2 planes colliding in mid-air.

A Court of Inquiry was held: “The court having considered the evidence are of the opinion that the accidents to Avro. B8707 in which Capt. B. James and 2nd Lieut. G. Nash were killed, and to Avro. C4477. in which 2nd Lieut. J. G. Ward was killed, was due to the following causes”- 1. That Avro C.4477 collided with Avro. B8707 when in mid-air about 2,000 feet up, both being engaged in practising Aerial Fighting. 2. That both machines crashed to the ground out of control, causing instantaneous death to Capt. B. James, 2nd Lieut. G. Nash and 2nd Lieut. J. G. Ward.”

He was buried in All Saints Churchyard, Beeston Regis, Norfolk, England (north of Church) and has a Private Headstone. His death is still acknowledged by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

(It is believed that Captain James was buried in the Churchyard at Beeston Regis as he had family members that lived there.)

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/beeston-regis.html