George Edmond Vernon Aimer

Second Lieutenant

Conflict:

WW1

Additional Information:

Son of Edmond Baxter Aimer and Annie Elizabeth Aimer (nee Feek), of Fairburn Rd., Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand. Born at Hokianga.

References:

CWGC

NZ WAR GRAVES

Public Contributions:

Submitted by: Paul Rose

Relationship to casualty: None

22.6.16: Martinsyde S.1 No. 696, 11 (Reserve) Squadron, RFC Northolt. Written off (destroyed) when spun into the ground from 3,000 feet, on a solo training flight "in the London area". The ...pilot - 2nd Lt George Edmond Vernon Aimer (New Zealander, aged 30) - died later in the day at the RFC Hospital in Bryanston Square, London. At the inquest on Flight Lieutenant Aimer, the evidence showed that the deceased's machine suddenly swerved, wobbled, and then crashed vertically to earth. A verdict of accidental death was returned. He was 30 years old. Note that, due to wartime censorship restrictions, the exact location of the crash was not mentioned in contemporary reports. Most simply describe the crash location as "near London". Circumstantial evidence - the fact that the aircraft (and 11 Squadron, RFC) were based at Northolt, the fact that he was taken to a hospital in Bryanston Square, London, and the fact that 2nd Lt George Aimer was buried at Ruislip (St Martin) Churchyard Extension, Middlesex would indicate a crash in the area of North West London, near RFC Northolt. The following contemporary newspaper report ("New Zealand Herald" 25 June 1916) is a biography of the deceased pilot:- "AN AIRMAN'S DEATH. LIEUT. G. V. AIMER. A POPULAR AUCKLANDER. Lieutenant George Vernon Aimer, a member of the Royal Flying Corps, who was accidentally killed whilst flying near London on June 22, was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Aimer, of St. Stephen’s Avenue, Parnell. He was born in Hokianga in 1886, and was educated in Auckland. For a time he was employed in the Government Forestry Department at Rotorua, subsequently taking a position in Fiji. Shortly after returning to Auckland, in 1910, he entered the service of the Bank of New Zealand as correspondence clerk, a position he held for about five years. In August of last year he obtained extended leave of absence, and proceeded to England for health reasons. After a short time in hospital he offered his services to the War Office, but they were not accepted, owing to the state of his health. Lieutenant Aimer then studied aviation, and after qualifying for his pilot's certificate, was appointed an instructor at the London Provincial Aviation Co.'s School. Later he again offered his services to the military authorities, and was given a commission in the Royal Flying Corps. Since then he had been through a course of instruction in army work at Oxford, and it is believed was receiving further training at one of the War Office's aerodromes when he met with the unfortunate accident which resulted in his death. When in Auckland the late lieutenant was very popular in athletic circles, and had at different times, over a period of eight years, been a member of the St. George's Rowing Club, part of which time he was captain. A brother, Trooper Alexander Goven Aimer left for the front with the thirteenth reinforcements." According to a hand-written entry on the aircraft record card for Martinsyde S.1 No.696: NOTE DATE OF DEATH.22 JUNE 1916 WWW.AVIATION-SAFETY.NET Read More

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Casualty

Name:

George Edmond Vernon Aimer

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Date of Birth:

31 March 1886

Place of Birth:

Whirinaki, Hokianga, Northland, New Zealand

Date of Enlistment:

Not known

Unit:

Royal Flying Corps

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:

Air accident

Date of Death:

20 June 1916

Day of Death:

Tuesday

Age at Death:

Conflict:

WW1

Embarkation Details

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery:

Ruislip (St. Martin) Churchyard Extension

Cemetery Reference:

2. 52.

Cemetery Location:

United Kingdom