The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1918-02-21
VERNON CASTLE KILLED
IN AIRPlANE ACCIDENT

VERNON CASTLE KILLED
IN AlRPlANE ACCIDENT
Ft. Worth, Texas, Feb. 15.-Capt.
Vernon Castle, of the English Royal
Flying corps, was killed this morn. ng
while flying fifteen miles west OF Fort
Worth
Castle had. made over $50 flights
over the German lines and was the
hero Of many exploits in the war
zone. HIS work had been especially
on the Flanders front and covered a
period of nine months. He came to
Fort Worth last October along with
Lord Wellesley.
Castle, in trying to avoid a cadet,
swerved his machine beyond his con-
troll, fell and was unable to right b. nj,
self. The cadet was an American
but was being instructed by the Brit
ish. The accident happened close by
the Benbrook field. The cadet was
uniAjured.
Castles plane was near the ground
and he was in the front seat instruct
ing the cadet instead of in the rear
whore the instructor usually rides.
Had he occupied the rear seat, he
would not have been injured. When
he saw the danger Of collision with
the approaching plane. Castle under
took what aviators know as an I'M
melman turn. The plane failed to
respond. -.
The cadet was R. Peters. HIS only
injury is black eye. Castle never
regained consciousness, but died in
the field hospital hospital twenty
minutes later
Conclusion of the brain was the
cause. Castle belonged to the Eighty
fourth Royal Flying corps squadron.
The plane was only fifty feet above
the ground and was going rapidly.
The plane with which the collision
was threatened was just rising.
New York, Feb. 15.-Vernon Castle
had national reputation as dan
Ger. His home was here. With his
wife, also a graceful dancer, he at
tanned great popularity several years
ago as teacher of modern dances.
When the war broke out both of the
Castles became interested in war
work and Mr.. Castle took up aviation.
He was granted an aviator's pilot
license by the Aero Club of America
Feb. 9, 1916, after having made sat-
isfactory record in test flights at
Newport News, Va. He was born in
Norwich, England, May 2, 1887.
His right name was Vernon Blythe.
Soon after receiving his aviator L.
cense he sailed from New York for
England to join the British aerial re-
serve. In March 1916 he was appoint
ed a temporary lieutenant in the Brit
ish Royal Flying corps. Shortly at
te1-ward there came report of his
death while flying in France.
Mrs. Castle, professionally known
as Irene Castle, followed her husband
abroad to visit him. Returning from
a second visit year later she an
nOunced that her husband had receiv-
ed the cross Of war for valorous &C.
ton on the western front.
She said he had brought down two
German aviators.
Castle returned from the French
front in April, 1917, and joined the
Royal Flying corps in Canada as an
instructor with the rank of captain.
The following month he was reported
to have had narrow escape from
death at Camp Mohawk. The cadet
who was flying with Captain Castle
at the time was killed.
When Canadian contingent of the
flying corps was transferred to Texas
last fall for winter training, Captain
Castle went with it as an instructor.
Mrs. Castle, who is now one of the
star actresses of a moving picture
concern, was Frustrated upon receiv-
Ing thenews.
Fort Worth, Tex, Feb. 16.-Fun-
eral services this afternoon over the
body Of Captain Vernon Castle, Eigh-
ty-fourth squadron. Royal Flying
corps, were the most impressive ever
held in Fort Worth. From the break
of day until the body was shipped
away, thousands of persons thronged
the streets before the undertaking es-
adjustments where the body lay. to
pay last tribute to the hero. They
we're denied admission by officers Of
the British flying corps. Traffic was
suspended while patrolmen kept the
crowds moving from the entrance of
the chapel where the body lay in
state. .-.s ....1
The services were held at 2 o'clock
in the chapel. American aviation Of
ficers and hundreds of Captain Cas-
ties Fort Worth friends attended.
The body was shipped to New York
for interment. There will be no flying
at Benbrook field Sunday as a mark
of respect to Captain Castle.
Mrs. Fred Poul, formerly Vera