Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Arras Flying Services Memorial | ||
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.116 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 16D GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Family :
Son of Gustav and Penelope G. T. Baumann (nee Bagley), of Bloemfontein, Orange Free State. Twice recorded as entering the United Kingdom - 8th March 1913 (Garth Castle, Capetown to Southampton) and 10th September 1916 (Walmer Castle, Durban to Plymouth)Education & Career :
Mining Engineer; Civil Engineer (1914)
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 70th Sqdn. RFC |
| Action : The Battle of Messines 1917 and associated actions |
7 June - 11 July 1917. The plan at Messines was to blow up 19 mines in what was the largest man made explosion before Hiroshima, and utterly destroy the German front line along the Messines Ridge. The effect was to "liquify" the ground and create a mini earthquake, which coupled with the largest artillery preparation thus far of over 3 million shells would stun the defenders into submission. The plan largely worked and was initially very successful although the Germans did re-group and opportunities to develop the attack were lost. Casualties in this victory were 25,000.
Detail :
2/Lieutenant Max Baumann was killed in action with No 70 Squadron Royal Flying Corps on 13th July 1917. He was piloting a Sopwith 11/2 Strutter serial no A8335, a two seater machine. His gunner/observer Bombardier Eric Fletcher of the Royal Garrison Artillery was also killed. Bombardier Fletcher's role as observer underllines the essential role of the RFC in assisting artillery observation and target selection. The 1921 Masonic Roll of Honour lists him as a Flight Lieutenant. Source David Barnes
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Rising Star No. 1022 E.C. | Orange Free State |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
24th March 1914 | 5th May 1914 | 9th June 1914 |
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley