About the Author
Trevor Henshaw was born in Melbourne, Australia. He attended Melbourne Grammar School and then studied at the University of Melbourne where he gained a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He has lived most of the last thirty-five years in north London, where, as a Chartered Architect, he has been a partner in Maslen Brennan Henshaw Partnership, and for some years now an associate with Chetwoods Architects.
The beginnings of his interest in World War One aviation can be traced exactly to the reading of Cecil Lewis’s Sagittarius Rising in 1982. From then on, his fascination grew, until in 1987 he began a detailed examination of the extant British records of the first air war. This study led to the first edition of The Sky Their Battlefield being published by Grub Street in 1995, to much critical acclaim. Now very significantly updated and expanded, this second revised edition of his book is the fruit of another nineteen years’ research and study.
As a noted air historian of the Great War he has contributed to a number of other books on World War One aircraft and their operations, including Cross and Cockade International publications on The RAF FE2B and the Sopwith Dolphin, as well as to the Royal Air Force Museum’s Centenary 2014 Exhibition Catalogue. He has been a regular speaker on WW1 aviation at seminars, and has appeared as an expert in television programs.
His other interests include the art and architecture of the European Middle Ages and Renaissance, being a Londoner, and music of Mozart (and JJ Cale!).
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THE SKY THEIR BATTLEFIELD II 
I have just purchased the revised book and can only state admiration for such fantastic research. The book is brilliant and beyond compare.
Sadly, however I did find an error. I have been researching my old Squadron, Naval 8/208 prior to their centenary.
Flt Sub Lt S V Trapp was killed accidentally on 10 Dec 16. He was one of 3 Canadian brothers, all pilots, all perished. Collishaw married his sister after visiting to offer condolences to the family whilst on leave. Two brothers were RNAS the other RFC The book registers his accident as 10 January 17.
I do have copies of the casualty report from the Natioal Archive should proof be needed and could forward them by e mail if required.
Colin, Thank you for your kind comments. And also many thanks for spotting this. I am glad to say the errors found to date could be written on the back of an envelope, but every one counts – especially this sort of thing. I’ve corrected my master.
Good luck with your researching – and what a squadron to be exploring!
Best regards,
Trevor
I wonder if you have ever come across my great grandfather William F. Durand who was very involved in avaition, and mechanical engineering. He started up the aeronautical engineering at Stanford. I met him once probably in the late 1950s.
Trevor, Thank you so much for sending your book. It is an absolute marvel, and virtually the most useful research device on WWI. The statistical appendices are excellent. I am trying to find comparable data for US, French and German losses for the US WWI Centennial Commission. Can you recommend any sources? Thank you, again. RG Head
Hello Trevor
I came across a forum post where you had mentioned my Great Uncle, Pte Harold Alfred Claydon who died whilst a gunlayer in DH9 B7667. Do you make reference to him in any of your books please?
Hello Trevor,
I am researching some of the deceased buried in Brockley & Ladywell cemeteries -SE London. One family headstone caught my attention earlier today- that of 2 nd Lt Herbert Hector Bracher RAF KIA 1918 – it states he was killed in France on the headstone? Do you have any added information on his service career( maybe he is referenced in your much lauded book?)
Regards
Mike Guilfoyle
Vice-Chair Friends of Brockley & Ladywell cemeteries.
Hi Mike, I can definitely help you, but I am just in. I know of Herbert Bracher – I can give you significant detail about him. I will be in touch – tomorrow hopefully. Good to hear from you. Trevor
I am the editor of the magazine of the Vancouver Island Military Museum. While researching the life of a local man who served in the RFC/RAF, we have come across a gap in his records. We have his attestation papers and service record from the UK Archives, but his service record starts with his arrival in England. There is nothing about his training with the RFC in Canada. His attestation papers and Historical accounts indicate he would have undergone 4 or 5 months training in Canada. It is the records of the RFC Canada that we are looking for. (Also called the Imperial Royal Flying Corps)
So far we have had no luck finding anything in the various Air files at the UK Archives and they say there is likely nothing there.
Library and Archives Canada refers enquires about Canadians in the RFC to the UK Archives. RFC Canada was not a Canadian operation.
Have you come across the records of the RFC Canada?
Angus,
I am sorry to say I cannot recall coming across any files that discuss the RFC/RAF in Canada. I assume you have searched their Discovery – Advanced search for “Cananda” in “AIR1”. Trevor