More than a century after their deaths, the graves of Second Lieutenant Alan Thompson Watt Boswell of the Royal Air Force and Second Lieutenant Robert Percy Gundill of the Royal Air Force, both of whom were killed on October 2, 1918, have been rededicated.
The service, which was organized by the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (MOD JCCC), popularly known as the “MOD War Detectives,” took place on June 29 at the Duhallow Advanced Dressing Station (ADS) Cemetery of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), close to Ypres, Belgium.
JCCC’s Tracey Bowers stated:
“It is an honor to come here today to see their names on their headstones and pay our respects to them,” the speaker said, “two gallant young men who served throughout the Great War initially with the Army before switching to the Royal Flying Corps.
Members of 2nd Lt. Boswell’s family, including his great nephew Russell Evans, who delivered the poem “High Flight” at the ceremony, were present for the rededication service.
Russell Evans said:
Various military branches and the CWGC placed nine beautiful wreaths on the gravestones of Alan Boswell and Robert Gundill, two airmen who perished in an air crash in October 1918.
28-year-old Woolwich native and extremely gifted athlete 2nd Lt. Boswell represented Wales in hockey and football as well as his County in cricket and rugby.
When Alan joined the Welsh Regiment in December 1914, he was working as a schoolmaster.
After receiving a commission with The Royal Flying Corps in September 1917, Alan was swiftly advanced to the rank of serjeant and was then released from the Army.
Before becoming a Pilot with the 108 Squadron in July 1918, 2nd Lt. Boswell served with the 105 and 109 Squadrons. By October 1918, he had accrued 81 flying hours altogether.
Before enlisting in the West Yorkshire Regiment in December 1914, one month before his 18th birthday, 2nd Lt. Gundill, who was then 21 years old and from Pontefract, worked as a producer of liquorice. Pte. Gundill served abroad, notably in Egypt and France.
In June 1916, shrapnel struck him in the back, injuring him. On April 25, 1917, 2nd Lt. Gundill received a commission into The Northumberland Fusiliers.
On 6 July 1918, 2nd Lt. Gundill submitted a transfer request to join the Royal Flying Corps, where he was assigned to 108 Squadron and given the position of Observer.
Families were present during the ceremony, which was led by Reverend (Squadron Leader) Adrian Klos and assisted by members of XI(F) Squadron RAF Coningsby. One of the researchers who presented the case was also there.
!!3 Two new burial markers with engravings for Lieutenants Boswell and Gundill. King’s Copyright.
The cleric Klos stated:
It was incredibly moving to see Boswell’s family present today as we rededicated the graves of two of our service members, 2nd Lt. Boswell and 2nd Lt. Gundill.
Hearing the great nephew’s emotions as he read the lyrics to High Flight and realized the sacrifice his family member had made was moving.
“It was a wonderful honor to be here as RAF and members of the MOD, and we will honor that together, realizing the familial price these young men suffered.”
manner of death
When 2nd Lts. Boswell and Gundill vanished on October 2, 1918, they were working as a tandem crew on DH9 D1080 during a bombing mission over the Menin area.
The 108 Squadron’s Officer Commanding reported that they left the airfield at 1207 hours and were last seen flying at 3,000 feet west of the target, but they never came back.
Area Director for Central and Southern Europe of the CWGC, Geert Bekaert, stated:
“These courageous warriors lost their lives in the closing stages of World War One.
When the Allies were pushing into Belgium, the help they provided the infantry soldiers from the air was crucial. It is a privilege to remember them, and we will maintain their graves forever.