2ND LIEUT. STUART BENJAMIN HAYES COPPARD, R.A.S.C., FLYING OFFR. (OBSR.) 57TH SQUADRON R.F.C. KILLED IN AERIAL ACTION NEAR ST OMER IN BATTLE OF CAMBRAI, NOVEMBER 20TH, 1917. AGED 21. At the School 1912—13 (School House). 2nd Lieut. S. B. H. Coppard was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Coppard, of Bank House, Bexhill-on-Sea. Entering the School from Holmwood, Bexhill, in May, 1912, he left in July, 1913, and was afterwards with his grandfather, with a view to joining him in his business. When war broke out he at once tried to enlist, but was rejected several times as he was under age. At last in January, 1915, though still under age, he succeeded in enlisting in the Motor Transport, A.S.C., but after four days' training was sent into hospital at Woolwich with a severe attack of influenza. On his recovery he went to France on March 5th, 1915, and served in the ranks till the end of the year, when he received a temporary commission in the A.S.O., dated December 18th, 1915, and remaining at the Front served in many parts of the British line. In July, 1917, he applied for transfer to the R.F.C., was sent home to train, and returning to the Front on September 1st soon did good work. Within a fortnight he brought down his first Hun machine and at once received his Observer's Wing, his appointment as a Flying Officer (Observer) and transference to the R.F.C. General List being dated September 28th, 1917. He was specially complimented on good work, and on one occasion, his Pilot being wounded in the head when they were at a great height, he took control and brought machine and Pilot back in safety. On November 20th, 1917, as was told in the British Air Official for the day, " our aeroplanes attempted to work throughout the day in conjunction with our operations between St. Quentin and the River Scarpe." It was a rough day on which " low clouds and mist and a strong westerly wind, with drizzle and occasional rain, made aerial work very difficult and dangerous. Yet, undeterred by the conditions, whieh were such that " only five hostile machines were seen all day on the battle front," our airmen did much excellent work, attacking troops and batteries and transport with bombs and machine-gun fire, and gaining valuable information, but lost heavily owing to the mist and the low altitude at which they were compelled to fly, no less than 11 machines failing to return. German troops were concentrating for a counter-attack, and his Squadron were ordered to attack them. When they had been up barely ten minutes his machine was seen spinning down from the clouds out of control, and both he and his Pilot were instantaneously killed by the fall. He was buried in a cemetery near the aerodrome of the Squadron at Longuenesse near St. Omer. A brother officer wrote that he was " full of life and music and laughter," very keen on his work, and very fond of flying and anxious to become a Pilot; and told of the mutual affection and esteem that he and his Pilot felt for one another, and of the fatherly care with which his Pilot watched over him. The Officer who was in command of the Squadron till a few days before November 20th wrote:— " It was because he was such an excellent Observer that he was working with his Flight Commander, Capt. Cook, who was a very good Pilot indeed and also took infinite trouble over his machine and was extremely careful. "He was extremely popular in the Squadron, and was one of the best officers and truest fellows with whom I have had the pleasure to work. I was particularly fond of him and greatly admired his courage and keenness.