Robert Howell Craster Usher

Story:
Robert Howell Craster, Usher was born at East Lulworth, Dorset, on 8 Oct 1896 and baptised there on 15 Nov 1896 the son of Rev. Robert Usher and Alice Mabel Usher (nee Edwards). By 1901 his father had transferred to East Knoyle, Wiltshire, where young Robert spent his early years.  By 1911 his father had become Vicar at Netherbury, Beaminster, Dorset.   Robert (jnr.) had enlisted with the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment and received a commission as 2nd Lieutenant with the 3rd Battalion.  He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1916 and served as a Flying Officer with the 27th Squadron in France and Flanders.  He was wound in the leg and foot whilst flying on 30 Jul 1916 and for his actions that day was awarded the Military Cross on 25 Aug 1916.  He returned to the UK as a Temporary Captain working as an Equipment Officer in which capacity he proved successful and was further awarded the Air Force Cross on 2 Nov 1918.  He was also awarded the Victory and British War Medals.  He remained in the Royal Air Force and was posted to Northolt, Uxbridge, Middlesex, during 1923.  He was killed on 5 Jun 1924 whilst flying at Northolt where his aircraft broke up in the air during a test flight.  He was later buried in the Churchyard at Fovant, Wiltshire, where his father was the local vicar.  Of Robert's brothers, Christopher Lancelot Usher, was killed during the war whilst Herbert Neville Usher served and survived.