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Son of B. C. Myers, a manufacturer's agent. b. 16-09-1896, Durban, Natal, South Africa. On war memorial for King Edward VII School, Johannesburg. Occupation: Agricultural student. Service: South African Veterinary Corps, as 'Dresser', June 15 1915 for period of German SW Africa campaign. 28.08.1915: Discharged on demobilization. 05.02.1916: Applied for commission in cavalry in UK, with excellent letter of reference from The Secretary at the SA High Commissioner's Office in London. Mentions he is "well spoken of by Captain Quinlan of the SA Veterinary Corps" and that he "holds a 'good' discharge". He is, in the secretary's opinion, "in respect of education and character, a fit and proper person to be granted a commission in HM Army." There is also a reference from Captain Quinlan, who was Lecturer in Veterinary Science at the School of Agriculture and Experimental Farming at Potchefstroom, extolling Myers' abilities as a vet., and his valuable service on campaign. Myers was unable to get a commission in the Veterinary Corps itself as he was not a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons: apparently a per-requisite in those days; hence his application for the cavalry. 16.02.1916: Posted on probation as T.2/Lt. 10th Reserve battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Then living at Golders Green. In December 1916 he arrived at 20 squadron as an observer, and flew a number of missions with various pilots before his death. Shot down by Paul Strahle. His pilot, 2/Lt. F.J. Taylor crashed-landed on the British side of the lines; but Myers was already dead. ***Jewish |
