LEST WE FORGET
Air Mechanic Second Class Sidney Bernard LARKIN
Service No: 970
Born: Balmain NSW, February 1892
Enlisted in the Army: 16 October 1916
Unit: No. 4 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps
Died: Injuries from an Accident, England, 14 August 1917, Aged 25 Years
Buried: Birmingham (Lodge Hill) Cemetery, Birmingham, West Midlands
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Martin Sidney and Annie Larkin, of “Warwick,” Andrew Street, Clovelly, New South Wales. Born at Balmain, Sydney, New South Wales
Place of Association: Drummoyne NSW
Remembered: Panel 188, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Air Mechanic Larkin died from injuries (fractured skull and broken neck) as the result of an aircraft accident on 14 August 1917. Avro aircraft B928 was taken for a test flight by Second Lieutenant Thomas Francis Hosking RFC with Larkin flying as Supernumerary. On return to the Aerodrome, the engine was shut down prior to landing, but the propeller suddenly stopped and the aircraft then nose dived into the ground. A gust of wind took the flying speed and Second Lieutenant Hosking had insufficient time and height to recover. Second Lieutenant Hosking was injured.
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record B2455, LARKIN SIDNEY BERNARD
Bibliography:
Richards, E.J. (Edward John) Australian Airmen: History of the 4th Squadron, publisher unknown, c1919