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JM D’Arcy-Levy

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Early career and training

John Martin D'Arcy Levy joined the RNAS in 1914 as a Sub-Lieutenant. Before joining the RN he served in the Merchant Navy as a navigating officer on the SS Nile, a P & O liner which went to the Middle and Far East.

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First page of letter sent from J M d'Arcy Levy to Lylie Cressingham the young lady that he was courting. The letter is dated 1st July 1912. Levy was working as a merchant sailor for P&O at the time. (FAA)

Follow the links to see the letter or to read the transcript.

He learnt to fly at the Central Flying School (Upavon in Wiltshire) and was posted to Calshot Naval Air Station. Levy found flying seaplanes much more difficult than normal planes. Early seaplanes were not very reliable. Once, after an engine failure he had to make a forced landing at Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

Follow the link to see a letter written from the Central flying School or to read the transcript.

To find out more about Levy's capture by the Germans, select Next