RNAS HMS Ark Royal Aliki Bay

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   ARK ROYAL became a depot ship for all aircraft operating from Imbros, including her own seaplanes at nearby Aliki Bay; as time progressed these aircraft included the Short Folder Seaplanes, Nos 161 - 163 and 165 - 166. Ark Royal remained at Imbros until 1 November 

Is there any information as regards flight logs or which flying personnel may have been flying from the island, my grandfather is in the ships logs for seaplanes, trying to fill the gaps, this explains the reduced flyers logs from the ship.

dates approx. 2nd half of 1915

Flt Lt WHS Garnett RNAS
thanks JG

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lancashire Members Profile Find Members Posts Groupie Joined: 28 May 2015 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 55	Post Options Post Reply Quote lancashire Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: RNAS HMS Ark Royal Aliki Bay Posted: 28 May 2015 at 09:03
	ARK ROYAL became a depot ship for all aircraft operating from Imbros, including her own seaplanes at nearby Aliki Bay; as time progressed these aircraft included the Short Folder Seaplanes, Nos 161 - 163 and 165 - 166. Ark Royal remained at Imbros until 1 November Is there any information as regards flight logs or which flying personnel may have been flying from the island, my grandfather is in the ships logs for seaplanes, trying to fill the gaps, this explains the reduced flyers logs from the ship. dates approx. 2nd half of 1915 Flt Lt WHS Garnett RNAS thanks JG

whiskymac Members Profile Find Members Posts Senior Member Joined: 30 Aug 2011 Status: Offline Points: 173	Post Options Post Reply Quote whiskymac Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 May 2015 at 17:06
	Welcome to the Forum JG. My Grandfather also served on the Ark in the Aegean and I have been researching this subject for a few years. I haven't come across anything like logs of flights either from the ship, or from Aliki Bay - but that doesn't mean such things do not exist. There may well be such info hidden in the TNA at Kew. You mention the ships log and that you have found mention of your Grandfather. I don't know how far you have got with the log but I have him flying to the shore base on June 23rd in Schneider 1437 shortly after it was set up. I'll have a check through my notes and see if I can find more details for him. If you need any more details re Ark Royal in the Aegean I'd be glad to help. It's good to have someone else on the Forum with our interests! Peter.

whiskymac Members Profile Find Members Posts Senior Member Joined: 30 Aug 2011 Status: Offline Points: 173	Post Options Post Reply Quote whiskymac Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 May 2015 at 17:45
	JG. Ark Royal flying log, TNA, AIR1/726/137/2 Jan 1915-Jan 1916. I haven't seen this but it may contain the details you require. Peter.

lancashire Members Profile Find Members Posts Groupie Joined: 28 May 2015 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 55	Post Options Post Reply Quote lancashire Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 May 2015 at 20:36
	Peter,Kephalo Bay Lat 40.17, Long 26.0 25th June 1915 - 1:40pm: Lieutenant Garnett left in 1437 for Seaplane base 3rd August 1915 - 3:00am: 1st Dispatch boat left for patrol, Lieutenant Garnett in charge Evening, I am on a crash learning course here, my two last logs for WHSGarnettt are slightly different in the dates. This prompted my question did they also live and fly at Aliki bay? What I have not found is any records of Aliki bay though I am in contact with the Australian president (web site) via the Great War Forum who has said he may have more - I will advise you of what I get if you want me to. I have yet to learn plane codes to types! I can access some of the logs from the HMS Ark Royal just before sea trails (+/- 9th Dec 1914 to 21 December 1916) the header implies 1920 so maybe I can access more it seems my grandfather was in Eastbourne buy Jan 1st 1916. log link: http://www.naval-history.net/OWShips-WW1-04-HMS_Ark_Royal.htm apart from the history of the ship I only have this log, some books on order too! I am have a 2nd hit on this site live - East Fortune Personnel 1.4.1918 John

whiskymac Members Profile Find Members Posts Senior Member Joined: 30 Aug 2011 Status: Offline Points: 173	Post Options Post Reply Quote whiskymac Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 May 2015 at 22:34
	Ark Royal Bluff, Aliki Bay, was in use from June 1915 to November 1st of that year. The officers and men had living accommodation set just back from the beach from where the seaplanes were flown so yes, they most certainly did live and fly from Aliki Bay. As you mention, the aircraft types used were mainly Short Type 166, together with Sopwith Schneiders, although when first set up the other types on board the Ark - Sopwith Type 807 and Wight Navyplanes were also flown from the base. I would certainly be interested in any new details about Aliki Bay that should come to light from your Australian source. Peter.

whiskymac Members Profile Find Members Posts Senior Member Joined: 30 Aug 2011 Status: Offline Points: 173	Post Options Post Reply Quote whiskymac Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 May 2015 at 06:55
	John, There is mention of your Grandfather's name in an album, including photos, held in the IWM. http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205223278

lancashire Members Profile Find Members Posts Groupie Joined: 28 May 2015 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 55	Post Options Post Reply Quote lancashire Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 May 2015 at 08:07
	whiskeymac, Morning, just opened the link, its a good start, I have also sent a letter to my uncles (dead) wife as they have his original Royal Aero Cert so do they have anything else! What are the subjects ref the Ark Royal you are looking for, I have also found some comments on the Great War Forum. I will join the Australian one and let you know how it goes, I guess search is now for Aliki Bay, as Anzac were also involved maybe thee is more! thanks John

whiskymac Members Profile Find Members Posts Senior Member Joined: 30 Aug 2011 Status: Offline Points: 173	Post Options Post Reply Quote whiskymac Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 May 2015 at 11:02
	Good idea to contact living relatives - you never know just what might turn up. Nothing specific needed re Ark Royal, but any new details about Aliki Bay are always most helpful, especially in trying to build a picture of what the daily life of our relatives was like in this theatre of operations.

lancashire Members Profile Find Members Posts Groupie Joined: 28 May 2015 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 55	Post Options Post Reply Quote lancashire Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 May 2015 at 11:27
	W-mac Have you seen the Wings over Gallipoli by Keith Isaacs RAAF, its a good starting point? WWI. This is the org that I have a link to its really for Anzacs so I will email my contact to see what they may have on life on Aliki? www.ww1aero.org.au/pdfs/Sample%20Journal%20Articles/Gallipoli1990.pdf

RNAS HMS Ark Royal Aliki Bay

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