GEOFFREY EDGAR CUSHING

Laid to rest at the Field of Honour.

Born: 7th February 1898, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Baptised on the 11th December 1898, at Congregational Calvary, Montreal, Quebec.

Died: 29th December 1917; age: 19; killed when he lost control of his Sopwith Camel while in the clouds over Woodbridge, Suffolk. The aircraft was spotted spinning before nose-diving into the ground.

Residence: 555, Mount Pleasant Avenue, Montreal, Canada.

Based at the Aeroplane Experimental Station, Martlesham Heath, Suffolk.

Rank: Lieutenant/Test Pilot.

Regiment: Royal Flying Corps, Test and Development Establishment.

Funeral service and burial held on Wednesday, 2nd January 1918.

Grave Reference:

BA.I.72.

Ipswich Old Cemetery,

Ipswich.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Charles & Lily M. Cushing, of 555, Mount Pleasant Avenue, Montreal, Canada.

CENSUS

1901   St. Augustine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Geoffrey was 4 years old and living with his parents & siblings. They were all Congregationalists.

Charles Cushing, 52, a Notary, born (May 1848) Grenville, Quebec.

Lily Margaret Cushing (nee Macauley), 36, born (December 1864) Hamilton, Ontario.

Robertson Macauley Cushing, 16, born (June 1884) Montreal.

Dougall Cushing, 14, born (May 1886), Montreal.

Charles Cushing, 12, born (June 1888) Montreal.

Arthur Gibb Cushing, 11, born (February 1890) Montreal.

Edith Ross Cushing, 9, born (January 1892) Montreal.

Eric Albert Cushing, 7, born (November 1895) Montreal.

2 domestic servants.

Geoffrey’s father, Charles Cushing, died on the 30th September 1910 and was buried at Cimetière Mont-Royal, Outremont, Montreal, Quebec.

Geoffrey’s brother, Robertson Macauley Cushing, also lost his life in the First World War. Robertson died of Wounds on the 30th April 1918, aged 33. He was a Second Lieutenant of the Royal Garrison Artillery, 190th Siege Battery. He was awarded the Victory & British War medals. Robertson was laid to rest at Nine Elms British Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. He was married to Mabel and had 2 young children.

Joint receipt of probate to Mrs. Lily M. Cushing, Mrs. Mabel L. Cushing, Mr Charles Cushing, Miss Edith R. Cushing and Mr. Eric A. Cushing.

Soldiers’ Effects to Mrs. Lily M. Cushing 0 mother, Mrs. Mabel L. Cushing – sister-in-law, Mr. Charles Cushing – brother, Miss Edith R. Cushing – sister, and Mr. Eric A. Cushing – brother.

Geoffrey is also remembered on the Memorial Arch and Stained Glass Window at the Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario.

Evening Star – Thursday, 3^rd January 1918 – FLYING OFFICER’S FUNERAL AT IPSWICH – The funeral of Lieutenant Geoffrey Edgar Cushing, Royal Flying Corps, who met his death whilst flying, took place on Wednesday at the Ipswich Cemetery. The coffin, covered with the Union Jack, was borne from Ranelagh Road Military Hospital to the Cemetery on a gun carriage, drawn by six black horses, this being supplied by the Divisional Ammunition Column, by permission of the Officer Commanding, Colonel De Burgh. The firing party, buglers, and band were supplied by the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, these being under the charge of Lieutenant E. J. Butler. Owing to the deceased officer’s home being in Montreal, no members of the family were able to be present at the obsequies. Among the mourners who followed from the Hospital were Brigadier-General Campbell, Mr. H. L. Cooper, Captains Henderson and Letts, and Lieutenants Boerie, Walls, Cave, Knagg, Gribben, Chivers, and Edelston, of the R.F.C., and Lieutenant Smith and Sub-Lieutenant Thompson, of the R.N.A.S. Eight sergeants of the R.F.C. acted as bearers, and a detachment of the R.F.C. mechanics followed behind. Mrs. Florence Milford Ransome, representing the Ipswich Women’s Guild, was present at the Cemetery. The service in the church and at the grave, which was in the Field of Honour, was conducted by Major the Reverend W. S. Hildesley, Senior Chaplain to the Forces. At the conclusion of the committal service, three volleys were fired over the grave, after which the buglers sounded the “Last Post.” Floral tributes were sent by the mother and sister, his brother officers, the sergeants of the station, the N.C.O.’s and men, Mrs. Florence M. Ransome, and the Ipswich Women’s Guild. The coffin was of polished oak with brass fittings. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Hastings and Son, under the supervision of Mr. P. Hastings.