Trafford

Born on the 28th August 1898 during the September quarter 1898 in the
Blackburn R.D. - ref: 8e/406, the eldest son of Francis Skinner & Elizabeth
Airey (nee Ferguson).

1901 Census - 16 Amherst Street, Withington, Manchester.  Son - aged: 2 -
born: Blackburn, Lancashire.  Head of household - Francis S. Airey -
Married - aged: 32 - occ: Valuer in Mills Works - born: Blackburn.  Also
Elizabeth Airey - Wife - aged: 27 - born: Blackburn.  

1911 Census - "Newlyns", York Road, St. Annes on The Sea, Lancashire.  Son
- aged: 12 - Scholar - born: Blackburn.  Head of household - Francis S.
Airey - Married - aged: 42 - occ: Auctioneer, Valuer and Fire Assessor in
Mills Works (Employer) - born: Blackburn.  Also Elizabeth Airey - Wife -
aged: 38 - born: Blackburn.   Plus 3 younger brothers.

Attended King Edward's School, St. Annes on Sea and the Hale Congregational
Church.

Employed in his father's firm who was the principal of Messrs. F.S. Airey,
Entwistle & Co, Mill Valuers and Auctioneers, Norfolk St, Manchester.

His Royal Aero Club index card and photograph are in the care of the Royal
Air Force Museum, Hendon, London.  His index card No. 4173 states that he
obtained his RAeC Certificate flying a Maurice Farman Biplane at the Royal
Naval Air Station, Redcar on the 5th January 1917.  It also confirms his
address as:- "Redlands", Hale Road, Hale.

Appointed to the rank of Flight Sub-Lieutenant Naval Wing, RNAS on the 25th
March 1917.

He had been at the front, where he shot down one enemy aircraft.   He
transferred to Dover to test new flying machines.  On the 23rd November
1917 he was having a final trial flight at Dover, Kent, when he nosed dived
and failed to recover.

Buried at St. Anne's Parish Churchyard, St. Anne's on Sea, Lancashire on
Monday 26th November 1917.  The RAeC photo is on his file.

Death reported in the 30/11/1917 edition of the Altrincham Guardian. 
Letters of Administration given to his father on the 20th April 1918.  
Estate valued at - £112. 10. 1d.

The 10/07/1917  edition of the local newspaper reported that a Sgt. Major
James Henry Airey, the younger son of Mr. & Mrs. Airey, 49 Church St,
Altrincham, had been awarded the D.C.M.    A relative perhaps - but not his
brother.

His father was a member of the Manchester Reform Club, 81 King Street,
Manchester.