As a back-burner project, I have spent the last few years compiling information on ex-pupils of King Edward VI Grammar School, Retford, who joined, or were associated with Allied flying services during WWI (RNAS, RFC, RAF & US Flying Corps), for eventual placement in the Local Studies Library and Bassetlaw Museum.

Of the 43 boys identified, William Arthur PAXTON (1899-1977?, KEGS 1914-1915), was training as a commissioned pilot in Egypt during 1917/18, until a fatal mid-air collision.

Having trawled all the usual on-line resources available through my local library, visited The National Archives and RAF Museum, I have managed to accumulate details on all of them, but cannot confirm the death of two.

Recent access to FindMyPast’s website (my library only has a subscription to Ancestry), allowed viewing of Isle of Man records, and these included a death registration for a Mr Paxton, which fitted with details found elsewhere:

Year: 1977
Surname: Paxton
Name: William Arthur
Age: 78
District: Ramsey
Vol.: 20
Page No: 1879

A retired bank manager, my Mr. Paxton had dropped off the Huddersfield telephone directory after 1976.

My thinking is that he moved to the Isle of Man following his wife's death, also in 1976, but didn't survive long. Given his family’s mainland connection, it may be that he was transported back there for burial / internment.

The Isle of Man newspapers' online archive has been queried for 1976-77 for mention of a Paxton death, but with no returns, likewise the iMuseum.

Unfortunately, with so many boys being looked into, the cost involved with purchasing copies of BMD certificates and other documentation for all of them is prohibitive, and I was hoping that someone here might be able to shed additional light on this 1977 Isle of Man death registration, or suggest alternative enquiries.

With kind regards,
Sam