BUCKLERS HARD - Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary - RFC kneeler

While visiting the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Bucklers Hard last week I spotted this kneeler with the RFC wings

Presumably an eighteen year old who died in 1918 with the initials PWR

Anyone know any more?

A bit more googling identified him as Peter Wolferstan Rylands

Peter Rylands
Flying Instructor, RAF - Lieutenant
RAF Service number 9924
Died 9 August 1918, Age 18.

Peter Wolferstan Rylands was the eldest son of Thomas Kirkland Rylands Esq. And Betha Nesbit Wolferstand Rylands of The Down House, Tockington, Gloucestershire and Grandson of the late Rev. J.S. Thomas, Bursar of Marlborough College.

He was born 9th March 1899 and was educated at Marlborough College from May 1913 to Easter 1917. Three days after leaving School he was called up and received a Commission in the R.F.C. in July. He showed singular ability as a flying Instructor and consequently was kept at home for this work.

One of the skills to be mastered by the trainee pilots was accuracy at firing their machine guns - the training would start on the ground at the airfield's Rifle Range before commencing airborne practice.

A floating target in the Solent was the next stage, near Pitts Deep, and it was during one of these training sessions on the 9th August that the fatal accident occurred. A telescopic sight was used with the gun and the instructor, Peter Rylands, somehow managed not to take his eye off it in time and continued into the sea.

He was just 18 and during his time at Beaulieu was befriended by Mrs. Poole of Buckler’s Wood. St. Mary's Chapel at Bucklers Hard was substantially renovated by her in his memory and bears a brass plaque and embroidered kneeler to that effect

He is buried at Langton Matravers Church Cemetery (3rd row east of middle path).

via www.eastboldre.org/flyingschoolfatalities.html

And

.On the afternoon of the 9th of August 1918 he was leading a section of trainee pilots in firing practice in the Solent in a 130hp Clerget engined Sopwith Camel serial number F2205 off Beaulieu in Hampshire, when he was seen to dive into the sea. The Court of Inquiry convened on the 24th of August could only state that there was insufficient evidence to determine the cause of the accident.

sites.southglos.gov.uk/war-memorials/peo...-wolferstan-rylands/

There is a picture of the plaque on the IWM WMR, I have added details of the kneeler, do you mind if I add your picture of it to the WMR? I can credit to you if you give a name to use.

www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/63838

mbriscoe wrote:

There is a picture of the plaque on the IWM WMR, I have added details of the kneeler, do you mind if I add your picture of it to the WMR? I can credit to you if you give a name to use.

www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/63838

We missed that plaque as we were looking for a different one

No problem
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