On November 18, 1917 – at just 21 years-old – William Reynolds Cutler was killed in action when his plane crashed near Etaples, France, while serving with the 70th Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. As a pilot with the “English Camels” – known as the “eyes” of the Allies – Cutler performed the most dangerous scouting duties. (1919 Tyee, pg. 43.) His military career was short but brilliant. He is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery (bit.ly/uw_cutler) near Boulogne.
The son of Melville Fixott Cutler and Isabella Maud Woodill, Bill was a native of Victoria, British Columbia. He was the first airman casualty from Victoria High School. A member of Sigma Chi at the University of Washington, Bill was active in wrestling and track and majoring in chemical engineering. A poem dedicated to Cutler, composed by classmate Don Rockwell, ’17, was published in the 1918 Tyee and concludes:
Bill Cutler, bright, brave little star,
You gave your life to point the war
For those who fought like men at night
Your eyes for them the only sight—
Bill Cutler, bright, brave little star,
Who fell from high in this great war.