Vernon Frederick Attride's Story.
The sad intelligence has been received that Lieut. V.F.A. Galvayne, Royal Air Force, was killed in action with enemy aircraft on June 4 in the North Sea. Only 20 years of age he was educated at local colleges, and finished at Wycliffe Collage, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. He was very popular, being of an unselfish disposition, and taking every opportunity of lending a hand where needed. His talents were versatile, and he was of a determined, ambitious, and inventive nature. He passed the Chartered Accountants preliminary examination, but on account of his strong bent for engineering was about to take the University course when he volunteered for active service. He was for nearly two years in the R.N.A.S. and R.A.F., and invented improvements in connection with seaplanes in course of adoption. He was recognised as being an exceptionally skilled pilot. The gallant lieutenant was a nephew of Mr. F. Galvayne, of Westfields, Kenton, the well-known polo player, who established the game in France, Spain and Belgium at the request of the Duc de Noailles, and the Kings of Spain and Belgium. He was also grandson of the late Mr. Sydney Galvayne, the noted author and horse expert, through whose hands passed the many thousands of remounts in South Africa during the Boar War. Lieut. Galvayne has successfully flown nineteen types of land and seaplanes of all sizes. He has taken part in numerous long distance reconnaissance’s, one of the most notable being that of the 21st March last in Heligoland Bight, when enemy mine-sweepers were attacked and valuable information obtained. He was very musical and organised a band of bugles and drums at Wycliffe College, and when at Dover arranged a concert in aid of war charities, being himself among the artistes. He was a son of Mr and Mrs A.V.A. Galvayne, “Moss Brae,” Lymington Road, Wallasey. Mr. Galvayne has for more than a quarter of a century held an important position in the shipping firm of Messrs. Lamport and Holt, Ltd. Mr and Mrs Galvayne have received a large number of sympathetic letters from all parts of the country. Mr E.D.M. Robertson, Royal Naval Air Station, Felixstowe, writes:- “I offer you my very deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement. I know how poor words are in these cases, but it may be a small consolation to you to know that your son died fighting gallantly in a way that anyone might proudly meet his end. Mercifully he did not suffer. We owe the enemy a heavy score for it, which I hope we will be able to wipe off soon. Your son was very popular with all, and his loss is deeply felt at the Station. Mr N.B. Sadler, district secretary of the Wallasey Local Association Boy Scouts, writes:- “I have to transmit to you in the death of your gallant son in action, passed by the Executive Committee of the above Association at their meeting held on the 9th inst. Coxswain Galvayne was well-known and well-liked among Wallasey Boy Scouts. His keen sense of duty and high standing of efficiency were generally recognised and appreciated. The funeral took place at Flaybrick Hill on Monday last, before which there were two services, one at Marlowe Road Congregational Church, Wallasey, conducted by the pastor, the Rev. W. Eaton Thomas, assisted by the Rev. Sidney O. Morgan, of the Presbyterian Church, Hoylake, who read the lesson. Mr Thomas made a feeling and sympathetic reference to the brave boy, and his work in connection with the Church and Sunday School. The coffin, draped with the Union Jack, and covered with numerous floral tributes, was conveyed on a gun carriage from Wallasey to Flaybrick Hill, accompanied by a number of offices from Hooton R.A.F., also a large contingent of men from the Border Regiment, forming the firing party, who marched in procession behind the coffin. A large number of people assembled at Flaybrick Hill to pay their last respects to the gallant young officer. A service was also held at the Cemetery Church, taken by the Rev. W. Eaton Thomas, and the Rev. Sidney O. Morgan, who also officiated at the graveside. A firing party was present at the graveside, and the “last post” was sounded.
Vernon's grave in Flaybrick Cemetery, Birkenhead
