Medical examination prior to enlistment at age 22y and 325 days. Tone’s occupation was recorded as aviator & aeronautical engineer. “Height 5 feet 8 1/2 inches; weight 144 lb; chest (expanded) 38 inches (4 inches expansion); physical development ‘good’; vision 6/6; scars on left thigh and forearm & 3 scars on abdomen; 5 vaccination marks left arm”. (WO 339/56618)
No information is available for Tone for about 19 months – from the last record of him flying at London Aerodrome in September 1913 to him joining the Royal Flying Corps in April 1915. His Service record card (AIR/76/29) doesn’t refer to any occupational activity during this period. At his pre-enlistment medical his occupation is recorded as aviator and aero-engineer and so possibly he found some work at Hendon Aerodrome or he may simply have been doing casual work, while living at home with his parents in Eastcote, of a type that he didn’t consider had any relevance to a flying career and so wasn’t worth mentioning in his application to the RFC?
Hippolyte’s naturalisation application states that he was living in Eastcote with his wife and two sons and that he was working as head waiter at the Carlton Hotel, Shaftesbury Avenue, London and had been working there for 12 years (ie since 1902). He refers to Tone: “His youngest son is an aviator and earnestly wishes to serve his king and country in that capacity in connection with the war. Your memorialist is informed that his sons acceptance as an aviator for the purpose named might be considered when your memorialist (his father) becomes a naturalised British subject”. [HO 144/1356/261608]
The United Kingdom declares war on Germany and so enters the great war.
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo results in the outbreak of the first world war.
The Bayettos move into their newly build house, named Ye Old Roses in Lime Grove, Eastcote on 25 October 1913. [HO 144/1356/261608]
24 July 1913 is the date on the cornerstone of the Bayettos new family home, Ye Olde Roses, Lime Grove, Eastcote, Pinner, in the village of Eastcote.
With the extension, from Harrow to Uxbridge, of the Metropolitan Railway, and the opening of Eastcote Halt in 1906 in the locality formerly known as Field End and a station in 1910, Eastcote suddenly became accessible and developers saw the potential of Eastcote. Field End House farmland was sold to the British Freehold Investments Syndicate in 1909 and they laid out a network of roads, recognisable by the use of trees names for their roads. Plots were sold for building individually or in groups at public sales. £3 down could secure any plot and the balance could be paid off at 10 shillings a month. In a few months 650 plots were sold at an average price of £50. The first houses appeared in Elm Avenue, Lime Grove, Myrtle and Acacia Avenues. The Old Roses was the second house built in Lime Grove and was designed by Architect Frank Osler.
Regular fortnightly commentaries from the Aerodromes in Flight magazine show that Tone continues with regular flying training/practice at London Aerodrome but with the WH Ewen School, (Flight; 28 June 1913: p703) and the final record of him doing this is mid September 1913 (Flight; 27 Sept 1913: p1074) https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/William_Hugh_Ewen
Tone was awarded Royal Aero Club Aviator’s Certificate on 22/5/1913, aged 20y at
Tone having learned to fly in a Blériot at his own expense at the Grahame White School Hendon was awarded Royal Aero Club Aviator’s Certificate on 22/5/1913, aged 20y. In order to enter the RFC as a pilot it was initially a requirement that the applicant acquire a Royal Aero Club aviators certificate at their own expense. If accepted into the RFC a nominal 75 pounds would be refunded. This requirement was dropped in July 1916, although an individual could still apply for an RAeC ‘ticket’. The plane he learned to fly on had gained immortality on July 25, 1909 when Louis Blériot successfully crossed the English Channel from Calais to Dover in 36.5 minutes.
“Mr. Tone Bayetto (Tuesday), on No. 2 Bleriot, starting his brevet tests, but being compelled to come down owing to engine trouble. School started work 5.13 Thursday…. Mr Tone Bayetto doing circuits. Later starting brevet tests and gaining his certificate in fine style.”[Flight: MAY 31, 1913. p593]
The Bayettos lived at 7 Finborough Road, Fulham, London until 25 October 1913 (while their new house in Eastcote was being built). [HO 144/1356/261608].