WW1 Active Service Bible 1916 – Named to RFC Air Mechanic 1st Class C.E. Taylor – Royal Flying Corps

An excellent original WW1 Active Service Bible (New Testament) dated 1916, named and completed to Air Mechanic 1st Class C.E. Taylor of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC).

This is a particularly interesting example, as it is attributable to an identified member of the RFC during the formative years of British military aviation. The Bible remains a poignant personal item, carried during a period when the Royal Flying Corps was expanding rapidly to support air operations on the Western Front.

Item Details:
Item: Active Service Bible / New Testament
Date: 1916
Named To: Air Mechanic 1st Class C.E. Taylor
Service: Royal Flying Corps
Trade: K.B.S. Rigger
Format: Pocket-sized wartime issue
Condition: Good original condition with age-related wear consistent with wartime use
Personalisation: Service details completed to the original owner
Historical Context

The Active Service Testament was one of the most commonly carried personal items of British servicemen during the First World War. Issued by religious organisations and military welfare groups, these small pocket Bibles accompanied soldiers, sailors, and airmen throughout their service.

This example is especially desirable as it is named to Air Mechanic 1st Class C.E. Taylor of the Royal Flying Corps, the air arm of the British Army before the formation of the RAF in April 1918.

Taylor is recorded as a K.B.S. Rigger, an early RFC technical trade responsible for maintaining aircraft structural components, including: Some info done and will come with the item.

Flying and landing wires
Wing bracing systems
Wooden struts and framework
Fabric-covered flying surfaces

These skilled mechanics were essential to keeping fragile early aircraft airworthy and operational. During 1916 the RFC underwent rapid expansion, creating a growing demand for technically trained mechanics and riggers.

Collectability
Original 1916-dated Active Service Bible
Named to an identified RFC serviceman
Early aviation association
Attributed to a specialist RFC trade (K.B.S. Rigger)
Excellent piece of personal WW1 history
Strong appeal for collectors of:
RFC memorabilia
Early aviation history
WW1 personal effects
Military religious items
Display

Ideal for:

RFC and RAF collections
Great War aviation displays
Named serviceman archives
Military chaplaincy and religious collection