2/Lt Charles Melville Sayer, 4 Sqdn RFC.
From Winnipeg, Manitoba, Charles was educated at the University of Manitoba from where he graduated, with a BA, in 1915. He enlisted in October 1916, becoming an Officer Cadet in the Royal Flying Corps. After training in Canada and the UK, he was posted to No 4 Squadron RFC as a 2nd Lt on 25 May 1917 and joined them in France - arriving with the squadron's new supply of RE 8's! On 30 May, Charles' squadron came under the auspices of the 2nd (Corps) Wing, II Brigade, for duty with II Corps in the action against the Messines-Wytschaete Ridge and, thus, transferred to Abeele aerodrome. On 7 June 1917, Charles flew on observation operations over the Messines battlefield and his squadron was soon afterwards transferred to 15th (Corps) Wing, V Brigade, although still flying out of Abeele.
Charles was killed whilst on operational duties on 17 June 1917 and is now buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery.
17 Jun 1917
Research by David O'Mara, Croonaert Research Services.
