Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-02-15
CASTLE
J. KILLED WHILE
MAKING FLIGHT
Noted Dancer Meets DEATH
Short Distance From
Fort Worth.

Forth Worth, Tex, Feb. 15.-Cap-
tain, Vernon Castle of the English
Royal Flying Corps was killed this
morning while flying fifteen miles
west Of Forth 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 q
period of nine months. He came to
Forth Worth last October along with
Lord Wellesley.
Vernon Castle had a national repu-
tatfon as dan-er. His home was
dancer. he attained great popularity
several years ago as a teacher of
modern dances. When the war
broke out both of t..-e Castles became
interested in war work and Mr.. Castle
took up aviation.
He was granted an av;ator's pilot
license by the Aero club Of America.
February 9, 1915, after having made
IA satisfactory record in test flights
at Newport News. Va. He was born
in Norwich. England, May 2. 1887.
Castle, in tryin~ to avoid cadet.
swerved his machine beyond his con-
troll, fell and WIS unable to right
himself The cadet was an American
but was being instructed by the Brit
ish. The accident happened close by
the Benbrook field. The cadet was
uninjured.
Was Near Ground.
Castles plane was near the ground
and he was in the front seat instruct
ing> the cadet instead of in the rear
where the instructor usually rides.
would not have been injured. When
he saw the danger of a collision with
the approaching plane, Castle under-
took what aviators know as an I'M
melman turn. The plane failed to re-
spond.
The cadet was r. Peters. His only
injury is a black eye. -4
Castle never regained conscious
ness, but died in the field 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
Tho ground and was going as.a pidly.
The plane. with which the collision
was threatened was Just rising.
His right name was Vernon Blithe
Soon. after receiving his aviator IL
cense he sailed from New; York for
service. In March Of 1915 he was ap-
lpointed a temporary lieutenant in the
| British Royal Flying Corps. Shortly
a fterward there came a report of his
death while flying in France.
Made Good Record. 7>s$r'f'
| Mrs. Castle. professionally known
| as Irene Castle. followed her husband
abroad to visit him. Returning from
second visit year later she an
nounced that her husband had re-
ceived the cross Of war for valorous
action 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 ar
instructor with the rank Of Captain
1.-THE following month he was reported
7 to have had a narrow escape from
death at Camp Mohawk. The cade,
who was flying with Captain Castle al
the time was killed. j,F
When a 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 motion picture
concern. was prostrated upon receiv'
ing the news OF her husbands death,