Frank A Biner

Frank left Loughton School in 1915 to join the 28th London Rifles (Territorials) and was appointed Lance Corporal and in 1917 promoted to Second Lieutenant.

This is a report written on the day of Frank’s tragic death.

“Today on the Western Front, 9 Wing assisted 2 Brigade by bombing Honnecourt (27 Squadron RFC), Menin Station (25 Squadron RFC) and Crevecoeur (25 and 27 Squadron). Providing fighter cover was 22 Squadron RFC in their Bristol F2bs. Lieutenant Sydney Arthur Oades and 2nd Class Air Mechanic John Harvey Jones had a smidgin of good news when they claimed to have shot down an enemy two-seater in flames north of Roulers.
After that it all went downhill. First Lieutenant L R Titchener and Second Lieutenant Herbert Kenneth Johnstone were killed when their Bristol F.2b (A7230). collided in mid air with another F2b (A7268) with 2nd-Lieutenant Frank Amsden Biner and 1st Class Air Mechanic David Ward Clement on board. All four crew were killed.

2nd Lieutenant F Goodchap and 2nd Lieutenant Alfred Henry Middleton were slightly luckier as they were taken prisoner when their F2b suffered engine trouble and they were forced to land behind enemy lines.” (War Office archives)