The solemn fields of First World War battlefields continue to yield poignant truths, and a recent visit by the Bradford WW1 Group has unearthed a compelling mystery surrounding the death of Captain Walter Alexander Scales, an officer whose familial ties stretch to the renowned actress Prunella Scales. This newly resurfaced narrative challenges the official record, casting a profound light on the hidden dangers and secretive operations of military aviation during the Great War.
Born in 1893, Walter Alexander Scales, affectionately known as Alex, hailed from a distinguished Bradford lineage. His father, Walter Henry Scales, was the founder of the prominent Scales and Beckett company, a textile goods shipping enterprise established in 1882. Alex, along with his brother Cuthbert, received their education at the prestigious Bradford Grammar School, grounding him firmly in the city’s rich history.
At the tender age of 21, Alex enlisted as a private in the 6th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, a local territorial unit overseen by notable Bradford figures. His military prowess quickly became evident, leading to his commissioning and deployment as a 2nd Lieutenant to the front lines on July 20, 1915. He notably earned the Military Cross for his courageous actions during a gas attack in December 1915, showcasing his early valor in World War I history.
A curious turn in Captain Scales’ service came in July 1917, when battalion records indicate his appointment to GSO3 within the 49th Division, effectively striking him off the 6th Battalion strength. It was during this period that his involvement with 6 Squadron, an “Army Cooperation” unit, began, an assignment shrouded in military aviation secrecy that hints at the true circumstances of his ultimate fate, leading to an enduring war mystery.
The early months of 1918 were particularly perilous for the nascent Royal Flying Corps, as pilots underwent intensive and often dangerous training to master the complexities of aerial combat and cooperation. Records from January of that year reveal a harrowing toll, with four aircraft written off in accidents, resulting in five fatalities and two injuries, underscoring the extreme risks of military aviation.
The first of these tragic incidents on January 6, 1918, directly involved Captain Scales. During an instructional flight, his RE8 aircraft collided mid-air with another, instantly killing him, Captain Robert Reeder, 2nd Lieutenant Frederick A Egner, and Major Richard Nagle Ford. Their bodies were subsequently transported to Doullens Cemetery and laid to rest side by side, a somber testament to a forgotten war tragedy.
Given the clandestine nature of the Army officer training initiative conducted by 6 Squadron, it is hardly surprising that the official records for Captain Scales and his fellow casualties simply stated “Killed In Action.” This deliberate obfuscation raises a poignant war mystery: was his mother, Edith Emily Birkinshaw, ever informed of the true, accidental cause of her son’s death? This question remains a compelling subject for historical research.
The efforts of the Bradford WW1 Group, along with the insights from Ed Caesar’s article in The New Yorker and the meticulous historical research by Nick Hooper, have been instrumental in bringing this significant aspect of Bradford history back into public consciousness. Their dedication to uncovering these hidden narratives ensures that the sacrifices and complexities of the First World War continue to be remembered and understood.
This ongoing historical research into Captain Scales’ fate not only enriches our understanding of World War I history but also serves as a poignant reminder of the personal cost of conflict and the enduring impact on families, including those like the Prunella Scales family. The pursuit of truth, even after a century, offers closure and illuminates the often-untold stories of the Great War.
