[From the _Princeton Alumni Weekly_ of January 30, 1918.]
It is now seven weeks since the dispatches from Paris reported that
Stuart Walcott was attacked by three German airplanes and brought down
behind the German lines, after he himself had brought down a German
plane in his first combat on December 12, 1917, and that it was feared
he had been killed; but even now, after the lapse of nearly two months,
it is not definitely known whether his fall proved fatal, or whether
the earnest hope of his friends that he is still alive may be realized.
The reports are conflicting. A cable message of January 7 said that in
Germany it was reported that S. Walcott had been killed by a fall on
December 12 near Saint Souplet; but Dr. Walcott received a letter on
January 19 which holds out some hope that the fall was not fatal and
that his son may be a prisoner in Germany. This letter, dated December
17, is from a young aviator named Loughran,[A] who was Stuart Walcott’s
roommate at the flying station. He gives this report of what was told
to him by an observer and pilot who saw the combat:
“On the 12th of December at 11:30 a. m., there were five pilots to go
out on high patrol, including Stuart and myself. But I was prevented
from going, because of a wrenched ankle. Stuart and the other pilots
left here at 11:40 a. m. for high patrol, which means they are to fly
above the thousand metres. Two of the pilots had to return because of
motor trouble, leaving one pilot whom Stuart was following.
“At 12:50 a. m. they ran across a German bi-place machine. The
French pilot attacked first, but had to withdraw because of trouble
with his machine gun. He reports that the Spad [Stuart Walcott’s
machine], that had been following him, he last saw a thousand metres
above him, or the German. Also that the German had gone back over
his lines. The infantry and artillery observers report the French
pilot’s attack and combat. And that six minutes later the German
returned over our lines. And that the Spad that was seen flying
at a very high altitude, came down and attacked the German, and
succeeded in bringing him down in flames. In doing so he had to fly
quite a way over the German territory. And that the Spad had started
to return, when three German fighting machines were seen diving on
him, and forcing him down. The Spad was last seen doing a nose-dive
perpendicular, behind their lines. That is all the information I have
received up to date.
“This is what makes all the boys think that Stuart is alive:
“A nose-dive perpendicular is used very often in combat, but is very
dangerous, as it is very difficult for one to come out of and yet
have their motor running; that reason might force him to land; also
there was very little chance for him to get away from them by flying,
as they were above, and the only sensible thing to do was to land;
and as we were only three days in this _secteur_, the French think
he might have been mixed up as to the direction for home; or that
he was slightly wounded and could not turn his machine toward the
French lines.
“I have tried every way possible to get information about Stuart. I
have sent the numbers of his motor and machine to Major S. yros, who
is trying to trace it through the Red Cross service.
“One of the French pilots of this _escadrille_, who is a very good
friend of your boy, shot down a German biplane on 13th of December.
The machine fell behind our lines. The pilot was dead before reaching
the ground. But the observer was only slightly wounded, so the boys
of that _escadrille_ have asked the commander of the group if we
could be permitted to go and talk to the German, as he may know
something about the Spad that fell behind his lines the day before.
We hope to know whether we will be permitted to do so or not,
tomorrow.
“It takes two months before we receive the report from Germany
officially. In the meantime you will read all sorts of reports in the
newspapers. But I will cable or have Capt. Peter Boal do so, if I get
any news that is true.
“The case of Buckley, the American who fell Sept. 5, was reported as
being in flames from five thousand metres down, and fell in German
territory. The observers reported that it landed on its back and
burned completely. His parents were notified of his death; newspapers
reported the terrible death he died. Well, Sir, on November 25 we
received a letter from him, saying he was enjoying the best of health
and was satisfied with his surroundings in the prison camp in Germany.
“So we are all hoping the same for Stuart.
“I have all Stuart’s personal things, and will give them to Capt.
Boal the first chance I get.
“Mr. Walcott, it is beyond words for me to try and tell you how
grieved we all are about Stuart, and how great a loss it is to the
Escadrille, for him to be away. He was more than liked by every
member and officer, and gave promise of doing great things, was
always up in his machine trying to better himself in combat flying;
there never was a minute that he was idle, if it was possible for
him to fly. And never a more generous and kinder boy. Only the night
before the patrol he last went out on, he gave me every care in the
world, got up during the night to make sure I was comfortable and to
do anything he could for my ankle.
“From one who has been with Stuart through all his training, and
roommate on the Front,
“Yours respectfully,
“E. J. LOUGHRAN.”
This letter was written before the cable dispatch of January 7, from
the International Red Cross, which seems to establish definitely the
fact that Stuart Walcott gave his life in support of the endeavor to
“make the world safe for democracy.” In further and final evidence, a
letter dated February 5, 1918, informed Dr. Walcott that the Red Cross
agent in Paris had reported “Stuart Walcott’s grave has been found.” An
accompanying map from Loughran shows that the spot where Stuart Walcott
fell is on a hill a little South of Saint Souplet.
* * * * *
Benjamin Stuart Walcott was of New England ancestry. His earliest known
American forbear was Capt. Jonathan Walcott of Salem, Mass., 1663-1699.
Later, one of Capt. Jonathan’s descendants, Benjamin Stuart Walcott,
served in a Rhode Island regiment during the Revolutionary War. On his
mother’s side two ancestors served in the Continental Army and in the
Revolutionary War.