Places > Book of remembrance for Tweeddale > Parish of West Linton

88 THE BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE FOR TWEEDDALE.
"Fighting Bristols." But his career was fated to be a very brief one.
He had one successful flight on 29th August, and was landing on the
aerodrome on the 30th after another flight when his companion
— Lieutenant Walker, a skilful and experienced pilot — was seen to be
making a too rapid descent. They landed with a crash, and both
were killed instantaneously.
They were buried next day in the British Military Cemetery at
Pernes, in Pas de Calais, about midway between St Pol and Bethune.
Lieutenant Halley had not reached his 19th birthday. His
portrait represents him as a cadet.
"I expect you will already have heard from the Major of 22nd
Squadron of the sad news of your son, who was killed yesterday in a
fljnng accident on the aerodrome. No one seems to be quite clear
how it happened, but it appeared to me, where I stood, that the pilot
made a too rapid descent, and in trying to recover himself just caught
the tip of his 'plane in the ground and damaged it, which caused a
crash a few moments later. We ran to the spot, but nothing could
be done, as both officers must have died instantaneously and
painlessly. I know what a great blow this will be to you, and I can
assure you that all the officers in the Squadron join me in offering
you our very real sympathy, but, in spite of your great sorrow, I
think you must feel proud of your son, who has given everything in
this great cause, and has earned for himself and you the gratitude of
his country. The funeral took place this afternoon in Pernes Military
Cemetery, at 2 p.m., when 1 laid his body to rest together with that
of his -pilot and two other officers of this Squadron who were killed
the same day. His pilot's name was Second-Lieutenant J. G.
Walker, also from Scotland, living at Balnahard, Finzean, Aboyne,
Aberdeenshire."
"It is with deep regret I write to give you a few details regarding
the death of Lieutenant D. B. Halley. Lieutenant Halley arrived at
this Squadron on Wednesday evening with Lieutenant Walker. They
had apparently met at the Pool, and, like pilots and observers, had
arranged to work together. The day following their arrival here they
went for a short flight in the vicinity of the 'drome, and owing to
mutual understanding they were posted to the same flight, and would
have flown together. Yesterday forenoon Lieutenant Walker, pilot,
and Lieutenant Halley, observer, again went up in the vicinity of the
'drome to practice wireless. On endeavouring to lanti Lieutenant
Walker apparently misjudged his height from the ground, and the
machine crashed, pilot and observer being killed instantly.
Lieutenant Walker had flown this type of machine a great deal, and
was a (jualified pilot. It was awfully bad luck, and their loss is
grieved by all of us, holii being so new to the Sciuadron. Your son