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Aces and Aviators International Database WW1


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As Defence Journal describes it, at the outbreak of the First World War (WW1) in 1914, military aviation consisted of light wooden bi/tri planes with maximum speeds of under 100 mph and very limited load carrying capacity.

Their roles were initially restricted to reconnaissance and artillery observations.

While there may not have been any air power doctrine on the eve of WW1, there was no shortage of alarming speculations about strikes from the sky, thanks to pre-war novels from H.G Wells and others.

Within seven weeks of WW1 beginning, Sopwith Tabloids of Britain's Royal Naval Air Service conducted an air raid on the Zeppelin (airship) sheds in Germany. A year later Germany retaliated when Zeppelins in turn bombed English cities.

The actual damage in all these raids may have been minimal but the psychological impact on civilians and populations was profound.

With both sides using increasing numbers of aircraft for reconnaissance, artillery observations and occasional bombing raids, the inevitable happened and aircraft started to shoot at each other to prevent the adversary from taking military advantage of the new medium. This marked the birth of fighter aircraft whose numbers proliferated whilst their performance took a quantum leap. The battle for control of the air had truly begun. The writing was clearly on the wall for military tactics and precepts that had stood for hundreds of years as the full flower of air power's potential to change the course of events and even win wars had to be acknowledged.

The Air War assumed a giant scale on both sides. By way of example, the British had upwards of 2,000 planes active by war end. And the war saw many tactics and strategies develop that were further developed in the Second World War.

Recovering names and details from over 100 years ago is a big task. If you have additions or corrections, or know of places we can contact to request their data, please let us know via the Helpdesk.

Searching here is powerful. Check the Search Tips first. You can search on single items (a surname for example, or a country) and you can search on combinations: thus a search on 'Australia and Camel' will find all records where BOTH Australia and Camel are mentioned.

You can search on 2 characters or more

Searching is possible on French squadrons, but with some care. The French named their squadrons for the plane each flew, thus N95 was a squadron flying Nieuport, SPA 150 flew the SPAD. To search for squadron N95 search for 'Nieuport N95'. Squadrons flying the Caudron were designated C50 for example, so in this case search for 'Caudron C50'.

Be aware we have used dozens of different sources. Some use special characters (such as umluats on German), others use Anglicized versions of the word. Thus some use Göring, and some use Goering. Try different approaches.

Countries/Nationalities Included: Agentina, Australia, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Bulgaria, Canada, Canada Newfoundland, Canada French Canada, Chile, China, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Germany Bavaria, Germany Sudetenland, Great Britain (Wales, Scotland, Ireland separately listed), Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, Slovakia, Hungary, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Swaziland, Switzerland, Turkey Ottoman Empire, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam.

The reader is referred to a site of great scholarship on WWl aviation. airhistory.org is comprehensive and valuable.

Refer to Paul McGuiness RAAF Archive WW1
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You searched for: “Camel AND DFC

#Name*First NamesRankAwardsCountryAllianceRoleVictoriesDetailsUnitsAir ServiceDeathNotes/AircraftSourcesLinksPhoto
1 AldredJohn WilliamCaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot See Note8[6+2] (3 kills+5 Lost Control)5Sqn (gunner), 70Sqn, 3SqnRFCCamel ace, 1917-18.Shores
2 AllenCharles PhilipCaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot7(2 kills+5 Lost Control)204SqnRAFCamel ace, 1918.Shores
3 AndersonGeorge BensonFLtCanadaAlliesPilot5[4+1] (1 kill+4 Lost Control)3Wing, 3(N)SqnRNASPup and Camel pilot, 1917-18.Shores
4 AppsGordon Frank MasonLtGreat BritainAlliesPilot10[9+1] (8 kills+2 Lost Control)66SqnRFCCamel ace, Italy, 1918.Shores
5 ArmstrongFrederick Carr 'Army'FCdrCanadaAlliesPilot13[8+5] (6 kills+7 Lost Control)3(N)SqnRNAS25/03/1918Pup and Camel ace, 1917.Shores
6 BaileyGeoffrey Grierson 'Lumpy'LtGreat BritainAlliesPilot8(4 kills+4 Lost Control)43SqnRAFCamel ace, 1918.Shores
7 BakerThomas Charles RichmondCaptAustraliaAlliesPilot12(1 balloon)(8 kills+4 Lost Control)4SqnAustralian Flying Corps04/11/1918Camel and Snipe ace, 1918.Shores
8 BaldwinOwen MorganCaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot16(13 kills+3 Lost Control)73SqnRAFCamel ace, 1918.Shores
9 Balfour of InchryeHarold HarringtonMajGreat BritainAlliesPilot9[3+6] (with observer)(3 kills+6 Lost Control)43SqnRFCStrutter, 1917, Camel ace, 1918.Shores
10 BanburyFred EverestFCdrCanadaAlliesPilot11[2+9] (3 kills+8 Lost Control)9(N)SqnRNAS01/04/1918Camel ace, 1917. KIFA.Shores
11 BanksCharles Chaplin 'Sandy'CaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot13[12+1] (8 kills+5 Lost Control)44(HD)Sqn, 43SqnRAFCamel ace and Snipe pilot, 1918.Shores (Other sources 10 victories)
12 BarkellThomas HenryLtAustraliaAlliesPilot7(4 kills+3 Lost Control)4SqnAustralian Flying CorpsCamel and Snipe pilot, 1918.Shores
13 BarkerWilliam GeorgeMaj
Victoria Cross

Distinguished Service Order (DSO) & Bar

Military Cross & Two Bars

Mentioned in Despatches (3)

Croix de Guerre (France)

Silver Medal of Military Valor (2, Italy)
CanadaAlliesPilot see Note50[41+9] (9 balloons)(45 kills+5 Lost Control)9 Sqn , 4 Sqn, 15 Sqn (gunner), 28 Sqn, 66 Sqn, 139 Sqn, 201 SqnRFC & RAF1930-03-12Camel ace, Italy, 1917-18. William George "Billy" Barker, VC, DSO & Bar, MC & Two Bars (3 November 1894 – 12 March 1930) was a Canadian First World War fighter ace and Victoria Cross recipient. He is the most decorated serviceman in the history of Canada.
Citation VC: Capt. (A./Major) William George Barker, DSO, MC, No. 201 Sqn., R.A. Force. On the morning of the 27th October, 1918, this officer observed an enemy two-seater over the Fôret de Mormal. He attacked this machine, and after a short burst it broke up in the air. At the same time a Fokker biplane attacked him, and he was wounded in the right thigh, but managed, despite this, to shoot down the enemy aeroplane in flames. He then found, himself in the middle of a large formation of Fokkers, who attacked him from all directions; and was again severely wounded in the left thigh; but succeeded in driving down two of the enemy in a spin. He lost consciousness after this, and his machine fell out of control. On recovery he found himself being again attacked heavily by a large formation, and singling out one machine, he deliberately charged and drove it down in flames. During this fight his left elbow was shattered and he again fainted, and on regaining consciousness he found himself still being attacked, but, notwithstanding that he was now severely wounded in both legs and his left arm shattered, he dived on the nearest machine and shot it down in flames. Being greatly exhausted, he dived out of the fight to regain our lines, but was met by another formation, which attacked and endeavoured to cut him off, but after a hard fight he succeeded in breaking up this formation and reached our lines, where he crashed on landing. This combat, in which Major Barker destroyed four enemy machines (three of them in flames), brought his total successes up to fifty enemy machines destroyed, and is a notable example of the exceptional bravery and disregard of danger which this very gallant officer has always displayed throughout his distinguished career. Major Barker was awarded the Military Cross on 10th January, 1917; first Bar on 18th July, 1917; the Distinguished Service Order on 18th February, 1918; second Bar to Military Cross on 16th September, 1918; and Bar to Distinguished Service Order on 2nd November, 1918. Supplement to the London Gazette, 30 November 1918 (31042/14203)
Citation MC: Temp. 2nd Lt. William George Barker, Gen. List and RFC For conspicuous gallantry in action. He flew at a height of 500 feet over the enemy's lines, and brought back most valuable information. On another occasion, after driving off two hostile machines, he carried out an excellent photographic reconnaissance. Supplement to the London Gazette, 10 January 1917 (29898/455)
Citation MC Bar For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has done continuous good work in co-operation with the artillery, and has carried out successful reconnaissances under most difficult and dangerous conditions. Supplement to the London Gazette, 18 July 1917 (30188/7216)
Citation DSO T./Capt. William George Barker, M.C., Gen. Lisit and R.F.C. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When on scouting and patrol work he has on five different occasions brought down and destroyed five enemy aeroplanes and two balloons, though on two of these occasions he was attacked by superior numbers. On each occasion the hostile machines were observed to crash to earth, the wreckage bursting into flames. His splendid example of fearlessness and magnificent leadership have been of inestimable value to his squadron. Supplement to the London Gazette, 18 July 1918 (30801/8439)
Citation MC 2nd Bar: Military Cross (MC) Second Bar T./Capt. William George Barker, D.S.O., M.C., Gen. List and R.F.C. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When leading patrols he on one occasion attacked eight hostile machines, himself shooting down two, and on another occasion seven, one of which he shot down. In two months he himself destroyed four enemy machines and drove down one, and burned two balloons. (M.C. gazetted 10th January, 1917.) (Bar to M.C. gazetted 18th July, 1917.) Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 September 1918 (30901/10877)
Citation DSO Bar: Distinguished Service Order (DSO) Bar Capt. (T./Major) William George Barker, D.S.O., M.C. A highly distinguished patrol leader whose courage, resource and determination has set a fine example to those around him. Up to the 20th July, 1918, he had destroyed thirty-three enemy aircraft—twenty-one of these since the date of the last award (second Bar to the Military Cross) was conferred on him. Major Barker has frequently led formations against greatly superior numbers of the enemy with conspicuous success. Supplement to the London Gazette, 2 November 1918 (30989/12959)
Shores (other sources 52; 53)

14 BawlfLouis DrummondCaptCanadaAlliesPilot5[3+2] (2 kills+3 Lost Control)3(N)Sqn, 203SqnRNAS & RAFCamel ace, 1918.Shores
15 BeamishHarold Francis 'Kiwi'CaptNew ZealandAlliesPilot11[6+5] (6 kills+5 Lost control)3(N)Sqn, 203SqnRNAS & RAFCamel ace, 1917-18.Shores
16 BellHilliard BrookeCaptCanadaAlliesPilot10(8 kills+2 Lost Control)66SqnRFC & RAFCamel ace, 1917-18.Shores
17 BennettRisdon MackenzieLtGreat BritainAlliesPilot5[4+1] (4 kills+1 Lost Control)204SqnRAF28/09/1918Camel ace, 1918.Shores
18 BirksGerald AlfredLtCanadaAlliesPilot12(3 captured)66 SqnRAFCamel ace, Italian front, 1918.Shores
19 BissellClayton LawrenceCaptUSAAlliesPilot6(4 kills+2 Lost Control)148thASUS Air ServiceCamel ace, 1918. China WWII.Shores (5 Toliver)
20 BlandWilliam HarryLtGreat BritainAlliesPilot7(2 kills+5 Lost Control)65SqnRFCCamel ace, 1918.Shores
21 BlenkironAlfred VictorLtGreat BritainAlliesPilot See Note5(3 kills+2 Lost Control)22Sqn, 23Sqn, 25Sqn(gunner), 56Sqn, 151NSqnRFCFE2, SE5, Camel, 1917-18.Shores
22 BookerCharles DawsonMajDSC, CdeGGreat BritainAlliesPilot29[18+11] (12 kills+17 Lost Control)5(N)Wing, 8NSqn, 1NSqn, 201SqnRNAS & RAF13/08/1918Triplane and Camel ace, 1917-18.Shores (Other sources 22 victories)
23 BoothEdward BorgfeldtLtCanadaAlliesPilot5[3+2] (1 kill+4 Lost Control)70SqnRFC07/04/1918Camel ace, 1917. KIFA.Shores
24 BoultonPercyLtGreat BritainAlliesPilot6(4 kills+2 Lost Control)210SqnRFCCamel ace, 1918.Shores
25 BowlesFrancis StephenLtGreat BritainAlliesPilot5[4+1] (3 kills+2 Lost Control)45SqnRAFCamel ace, 1918. POW.Shores
26 BoysenHoward KochLtUSAAlliesPilot5(4 kills+1 Lost Control) [4+1]66Sqn RFC RAFRFC & RAFCamel ace, Italian front, 1917-18.Shores.
27 BradingReginald Carey BrentCaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot13[11+2] (5 kills+7 Lost Control)201SqnRAFCamel ace, 1918.Shores
28 BreadnerLloyd SamuelMajCanadaAlliesPilot10(5 kills+5 Lost Control)3(N)Wing, 3(N)SqnRNASPup ace, 1917; Camel, 1918.Shores
29 BreakeyJohn DenisCaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot9[6+3] (7 kills+2 Lost Control)3(N)Sqn, 203SqnRNAS & RAFCamel ace, 1918.Shores
30 BremridgeGodfreyLtGreat BritainAlliesPilot5[3+2] (2 kills+3 Lost Control)65SqnRFCCamel ace, 1917-18.Shores
31 BritnellFrederick John Shaw'Duke'CaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot9[6+3] (1 balloon)(5 kills+4 Lost Control)3(N)Sqn; 203SqnRNAS & RAFCamel ace, 1918.Shores
32 BrockCecil GuelphLtGreat BritainAlliesPilot7[3+4 (2 kills+5 Lost Control)1(N)Sqn, 9(N)Sqn, 3Sqn, 209SqnRNAS & RAFTriplane 1917, Camel 1918.Shores
33 BrookesEric GuyCaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot6[4+2] (4 kills+2 Lost Control)65SqnRAF08/08/1918Camel ace, 1918. MIA.Shores
34 BrownArthur RoyCaptCanadaAlliesPilot13[10+3] (4 kills+9 Lost Control)9(N)Sqn, 11(N)Sqn, 4(N)Sqn, 209SqnRNAS & RAF09/03/1944Camel ace 1917-18, Richthofen winner.Shores (Other sources 10, 12)
35 BrownColin PeterCaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot14[11+3] (9 kills+5 Lost Control)13(N)Sqn, 213SqnRNAS & RAFCamel ace, 1917-18. SASO 1940-42.Shores (Other sources 13 victories)
36 BrownellRaymond JamesCaptAustraliaAlliesPilot12[8+4] (1 balloon)(9 kills+3 Lost Control)45SqnRFC & RAFCamel ace, 1917-18, Italian front.Shores
37 BuchananArchibaldLtUSAAlliesPilot7(4 kills+3 Lost Control) [6+1]210Sqn RAFRAFCamel ace, 1918. POW.Shores.
38 BurdickHoward1stLtUSAAlliesPilot8[5+3]17thSqnUS Air ServiceCamel ace, 1918.Shores (7 Toliver-Constable)
39 BurgerMalcolm Graham StewartLtGreat BritainAlliesPilot5[3+2]54SqnRAFCamel ace, 1918.Shores
40 CallahanLawrence Kingsley 'Larry'1stLtUSAAlliesPilot5(4 kills+1 Lost Control)85Sqn RAF, 148thASRAF & US Air ServiceSE5, Camel, 1918.Shores.
41 CarlawWalter MacfarlaneCaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot12[10+2] (1 balloon)(9 kills+3 Lost Control)70SqnRFC & RAFCamel ace, 1918.Shores
42 CarpenterPeter C.CaptDSO, Military Cross and Bar, MMVGreat BritainAlliesPilot24[22+2] (17 kills+7 Lost Control)45Sqn, 66SqnRFC & RAFCamel ace, 1917-18, West, Italy.Shores
43 CarterAlfred William 'Nick'MajCanadaAlliesPilot17[15+2] (1 balloon)(7 kills+10 Lost Control)3(N)Sqn, 10(N)Sqn, 210SqnRNAS & RAFPup, Triplane, Camel, 1917-18.Shores
44 CattoCharles GrayLtUSAAlliesPilot6(3 kills, 1 captured, 2 Lost Control) [4+2]45Sqn RAFRAFCamel ace, Italian front, 1918.Shores.
45 ChadwickArnold JacquesFCdrCanadaAlliesPilot11[6+5] (7 kills+4 Lost Control)5(N)Wing, 4(N)Sqn RNASRNAS28/07/1917Pup and Camel navy ace, 1917.Shores
46 ChandlerRobert North 'Chubby'LtGreat BritainAlliesPilot7[5+2] (5 kills+2 Lost Control)73SqnRFC & RAFCamel ace, 1918.Shores
47 ChildJames E.LtGreat BritainAlliesPilot5[4+1] (4 kills+1 Lost Control)45SqnRFC & RAFCamel ace, West, Italy, 1917-18.Shores
48 ChisamWilliam HargroveFLtGreat BritainAlliesPilot7[5+2] (3 kills+4 Lost Control)10(N)Sqn, 3(N)SqnRNASCamel ace, 1917-18.Shores
49 ClappisonHenry Gordon 'Harry'CaptCanadaAlliesPilot6(2 kills+4 Lost Control)204SqnRFCCamel ace, 1918.Shores
50 ClarkeEdward DenmanCaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot6(1 by observer)(3 kills+3 Lost Control)45SqnRFCStrutter, Camel ace, 1917.Shores
51 ClayHenry Robinson Jr.1stLtUSAAlliesPilot8(7 kills+1 Lost Control) [6+2]43Sqn, 148thASUS Air Service17/02/1919Camel ace, 1918.Shores.
52 CobbyArthur HenryCaptDSO

DFC & 2 Bars

AustraliaAlliesPilot29[28+1] (5 balloons) (27 kills+2 Lost Control)71 Sqn RFC, 4 Sqn AFCRFC & AFC11/11/1955Camel ace, 1918. AFC best scorer. Born on 26 August 1894 in Melbourne Cobby worked as a bank clerk until he signed up with the AFC on 22 December 1916, thereafter serving with 4 and 71 Squadron on the Western Front.

Cobby later admitted to being so nervous about the prospect of going into battle that 'if anything could have been done by me to delay that hour, I would have left nothing undone to bring it about'. When he did see combat against the German Luftstreitkräfte for the first time, he had only twelve hours solo flying experience.

Cobby claimed an early victory, over a DFW reconnaissance plane, in February 1918, but this was credited only as 'driven down' and not confirmed. Based in the Pas-de-Calais area, No. 4 Squadron supported Allied forces during the German Spring Offensive that commenced the following month. Cobby's aerial opponents included members of Baron von Richthofen's 'Flying Circus'. On 21 March he shot down two of the formation's Albatros D.Vs, which were confirmed as his first official victories.

Having proved himself a talented and aggressive pilot, Cobby's leadership abilities were recognised with his appointment as a flight commander on 14 May 1918, and promotion to captain on 25 May. Described as 'an imp of mischief', he personalised his Sopwith Camel by fitting it with aluminium cutouts of comic actor Charlie Chaplin. Cobby again scored two kills in one day on 30 May near Estaires, when he destroyed an Albatros and an observation balloon, and repeated this feat the next day in the same area. He had been responsible for downing No. 4 Squadron's first balloon at Merville earlier in May; although vulnerable to attack with incendiary bullets, these large observation platforms, nicknamed Drachen (Dragons), were generally well protected by enemy fighters and anti-aircraft defences, and were thus considered a dangerous but valuable target. Cobby was recommended for the Military Cross on 3 June 1918 in recognition of his combat success and for being a 'bold and skilful Patrol Leader, who is setting a fine example to his Squadron. The award was changed to a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).

Cobby shot down three German aircraft on 28 June and was recommended for a bar to his DFC, highlighting his then-current tally of 15 victories. On 15 July 1918, he and another pilot dived on five Pfalz scouts near Armentières, Cobby accounting for two of the enemy aircraft and his companion for one. The Australians were then pursued by four Fokker Triplanes but managed to evade their attackers. This action earned Cobby a recommendation for a second bar to his DFC, the citation noting that he had scored 21 kills to date and had 'succeeded in destroying so many machines by hard work and by using his brains, as well as by courage and brilliant flying'. The two bars to his DFC were gazetted on the same day, 21 September. On 16 August, Cobby led a bombing raid against the German airfield at Haubourdin, near Lille, the largest aerial assault by Allied forces up until then, resulting in 37 enemy aircraft being destroyed. The following day he led a similar attack on Lomme airfield and was recommended for the Distinguished Service Order as a result. Gazetted on 2 November, the citation for the award declared that 'The success of these two raids was largely due to the determined and skilful leadership of this officer'.


Pfalz DX12

By the end of his active service, Cobby was in charge of Allied formations numbering up to 80 aircraft. Fellow No. 4 Squadron ace, George Jones (later Chief of the Air Staff), described him as the unit's 'natural leader in the air and in all off-duty activities'; his exploits made him a national hero. No. 4 Squadron was recognised as the most successful fighter squadron in France, accounting for as many as 220 victories. In September 1918, Cobby was transferred to a training unit in England, where he found the strain of instructing pupils 'much worse than flying in France'. He continued applying for a return to the front until the war ended in November, and was mentioned in despatches by Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig the same month (gazetted 27 December). Though Cobby's final tally for the war is often given as 29 aircraft and 13 observation balloons destroyed, claim-by-claim analyses of his victories credit him with 24 aircraft and five balloons, for a grand total of 29, making him the highest-scoring member of the AFC, as well as the service's only 'balloon-busting' ace. His proudest boast, however, was that as a flight commander he never lost a pilot over enemy territory.
Citation DFC: 'HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to confer the Distinguished Flying Cross on the undermentioned Officer of the Royal Air Force in recognition of acts of gallantry and distinguished service:- Lieutenant ARTHUR HENRY COBBY.'
Citation DFC Bar: London Gazette dated 21st September, 1918. 'HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to confer a bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross on the undermentioned Officer of the Royal Air Force in recognition of gallantry in flying operations against the enemy:- Lieutenant (temporary Captain) ARTHUR HENRY COBBY, DFC.' An Officer whose success as a leader is due not only to high courage and brilliant flying but salsa to the clear judgment and presence of mind he invariably displays. His example is of great value to other pilots in his squadron. During recent operations he shot down five machines in eleven days, accounting for two in one day.'
Citation 2nd Bar DFC: 'One evening this Officer in company with another machine attacked five Pfaltz scouts, destroying two, one fell in flames and one broke up in the air. The Officer who accompanied him brought down a third machine out of control. While engaged in this combat they were attacked from above by five triplanes. Displaying cool judgment and brilliant flying Captain Cobby evaded this attack and returned to our lines in safety, both machines being undamaged. A determined and most skilful leader who has destroyed twenty one hostile machines or balloons, accounting for three machines and two balloons in four days.'
Citation DSO: 'HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to confer the above award on the undermentioned Officer of the Royal Air Force in recognition of gallantry in Flying Operations against the Enemy:- Lieutenant (temporary Captain) ARTHUR HENRY COBBY, DFC. On the 16th August this Officer led an organised raid on an enemy aerodrome. At 200 feet altitude he obtained direct hits with his bombs and set on fire two hangars, he then opened fire on a machine which was standing out on the aerodrome. The machine caught fire. Afterwards he attacked with machine gun fire parties of troops and mechanics, inflicting a number of casualties. On the following day he led another important raid on an aerodrome, setting fire to two hangars and effectively bombing gun detachments, anti aircraft batteries, etc. The success of these two raids was largely due to the determined and skilful leadership of this Officer.'
Citation MiD: London Gazette dated 27th December, 1918. MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES 'The following is a continuation of SIR DOUGLS HAIG'S Despatch of the 8th November, 1918 submitting names deserving of special mention:- Lieutenant (temporary Captain) A. H. COBBY, DSO DFC'
Shores

53 CockerellStanleyCaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot7[5+2] (4 kills+3 Lost Control)24Sqn, 50Sqn, 112Sqn, 78Sqn, 151SqnRFC & RAFDH2 ace, 1916-17. Camel (night) 1918.Shores
54 CollettClive FranklynCaptNew ZealandAlliesPilot12[10+2] (8 kills+4 Lost control)18Sqn, 70SqnRFC23/12/1917Camel ace, 1917. KIFA.Shores (Other sources 18)
55 CollishawRaymondMaj
Companion of the Order of the Bath

Distinguished Service Order (DSO) & Bar
Officer of the Order of the British Empire

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Mentioned in Despatches (4)

Order of St. Anna, 2nd Class with Swords (Russia)

Croix de Guerre (France)
CanadaAlliesPilot60[56+4] (29 kills+31 Lost Control WWI)3 Sqn (N), 10 Sqn (N), 13 Sqn (N), 203 Sqn, 47 SqnRNAS & RAF28 September 1976, West Vancouver, CanadaTop Royal Naval Air Service ace, Triplane, Camel, 1917-18. Russia, 1919. Distinguished WW2 service. Raymond Collishaw, CB, DSO & Bar, OBE, DSC, DFC (22 November 1893 – 28 September 1976) was a distinguished Canadian fighter pilot, squadron leader, and commanding officer who served in the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) and later the Royal Air Force. He was the highest scoring RNAS flying ace and the second highest scoring Canadian pilot of the First World War. He was noted as a great leader in the air, leading many of his own formations into battle. As a member of the RAF during the Second World War, he commanded No. 204 Group (which later became the Desert Air Force) in North Africa.

Collishaw's first recorded victory came while he was flying escort on the Wing's first large-scale raid into Germany, on October 12th, 1916. The raid was against the Mauser Rifle Factory at Oberndorf, Germany. The bombers had nearly reached their target when they were attacked by six German Fokkers. Collishaw got into position to allow his observer to fire on one, and he evidently damaged it. Lt. Collishaw then turned, gained height, and fired a burst with the front gun. The Fokker dived out of control, and, according to the British crews, crashed to the ground, a total wreck. According to the German authorities, they lost no aircraft during the engagement, but it was not unheard of for combatants to attribute their losses to accident rather than enemy action.


Collishaw's next two victories were properly witnessed by thousands of French troops. He was ferrying a new aircraft from Wing Headquarters when six enemies dived out of the clouds and attacked him. It was six to one, and the Germans had the advantage of height. Collishaw, like Barker and McKeever, was happiest when close to the ground in such a spot. He went down. At tree-top level the advantage of numbers meant much less. In two quick bursts, he sent two Albatroses crashing into the trees, after which the others flew off. The flight so impressed the French that they awarded him the Croix de Guerre.

Collishaw scored 60 victories, consisting of 28 enemy aircraft destroyed (including one shared victory), 30 enemy aircraft driven down 'out of control' (including two shared wins), and one enemy aircraft 'driven down.'

At the commencement of the Second World War in 1939, Collishaw was promoted to Air Commodore and took over as Air Officer Commanding, No. 204 Group ("Egypt Group") in North Africa.[20] He concentrated on strategy and tactics to neutralize the Italian air force and to gain aerial superiority in North Africa. This was a tough challenge considering that his men were flying outdated Gloster Gladiator biplane fighters and Vickers Wellesley bombers. Soon after the war started Collishaw's men were off the mark quickly, striking at an Italian airbase destroying 18 aircraft within two days of the commencement of hostilities with only three aircraft losses. He then turned their efforts to bombing harbours, ships and troops to hold up the reinforcement of North Africa. They sunk the Italian cruiser San Giorgio and blew up an ammo dump.

His pilots were badly outnumbered and outgunned. But he countered these deficiencies with expert advice on aerial tactics, aggressive attacks and trickery. He had only a single modern Hawker Hurricane fighter to use at the front (three others were relegated to training) dubbed "Colly's Battleship". He made the best of it by constantly moving it from base to base and letting the Italians see it. He came up with the idea of making many, single plane attacks on Italian formations to fool the Italians into thinking he had many Hurricanes. The result was that the Italians spread their superior fighters thinly across North Africa, and seriously diluted their strength. ... Collishaw implemented a continual harassment procedure that forced the Italians into having standing patrols over their forts. This was incredibly wasteful of men, fuel and machines. They should have been on the offensive, and yet were not.
Shores (other sources 73; 0 Russia)

56 CompstonRobert John OrtonMaj
DSC and 2 Bars

DFC
Great BritainAlliesPilot25[13+12] (8 kills+17 Lost Control)8 Sqn (N), 40 SqnRNAS & RAFTriplane and Camel ace, 1917-18. Wing Commander Robert John Orton Compston DSC & 2 Bars DFC (9 January 1898 – 28 January 1962) was an English fighter pilot credited with 25 victories during World War I. He was one of only seven airman in this war who won three awards of the Distinguished Service Cross.

Robert John Orton Compston was born in Farnham, Surrey the son of Herbert Fuller Bright Compston, a clergyman, and his wife Rose Contance Compston (née Orton). He joined the Royal Naval Air Service in 1915 when he was 17 years old. He originally flew Home Defense missions, but was reassigned to 8 Naval Squadron when it went to France. He was a close friend of ace Robert Little.

Compston served in the Royal Air Force in the Second World War. On the 13 August 1940, while based at RAF Detling, the airfield came under attack by the Luftwaffe. It was the first major effort of the Germans during the Battle of Britain. Junkers Ju 87 Stuka dive-bombers devastated the station and Squadron Leader Compston was wounded in action; one of 42 wounded and 24 killed. He retired from the RAFVR in 1954 with the rank of wing commander.

More: http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/compston.php
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Citation DSC: 12 May 1917 Flight Lieutenant Robert John Orton Compston, R.N.A.S. was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC): "For conspicuous skill and gallantry during the past nine months, in particular when attached to the Royal Flying Corps, when he had numerous engagements with enemy aircraft, and certainly destroyed one."
Citation DSC: 11 August 1917 Flight Commander Robert John Orton Compston, D.S.C., R.N.A.S. was awarded a bar to his Distinguished Servrtillery aeroplanes: "On the 12th June, 1917, with three other machines, he attacked six hostile scouts. He got close to one, and shot it down out of control. "On the 16th June, 1917, he attacked and brought down a two-seater Aviatik. "On the 3rd July, 1917, he attacked two Aviatiks, which he drove down and forced to land."
Citation DSC: On 16 March 1918 Flight Commander Robert John Orton Compston, D.S.C., R.N.A.S. was awarded a second bar to his Distinguished Service Cross (DSC): "For ability and determination when leading offensive patrols, in which he displays entire disregard of personal danger. "On the 1st January, 1918, he observed a new type twin-tailed two-seater enemy machine, which he attacked, firing a good many rounds at point blank range. The enemy machine dived, but was again attacked and went down vertically with his engine full on. The wings came off, and the machine was observed to crash. Later in the day Flt. Cdr. Compston observed two formations of ten and five Albatross scouts respectively. He attacked one of the enemy machines and sent it down in a flat spin and falling over sideways completely out of control. "On numerous other occasions Flt. Cdr. Compston has destroyed or driven down enemy machines completely out of control, and has frequently had more than one successful engagement in the same day."
Citation DFC: 3 June 1918 Captain Robert John Orton, DSC was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on the occasion of the King's Birthday for Distinguished Service
Shores

57 CoombesLawrence PercivalCaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot15[7+8] (6 kills+9 Lost Control)10(N)Sqn, 210SqnRNAS & RAFCamel ace, 1918.Shores
58 CooperGerald KempsterCaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot6[3+3] (1 kill+5 Lost Control)8(N)Sqn, 208SqnRNAS & RAFCamel ace, 1918.Shores
59 CooperArthur GabbettisLtGreat BritainAlliesPilot7[6+1] (5 kills+2 Lost Control)28SqnRFCCamel ace, France 1917 and Italy 1918.Shores
60 CooperMaurice LeaCaptGreat Britain IrelandAlliesPilot6[2+4] (4 kills+2 Lost control)13(N)Sqn, 213SqnRNAS & RAFCamel ace, 1917-18.Shores
61 Cooper (Tooker)Norman (E.S.)LtUSAAlliesPilot6(5 kills+1 Lost Control) [4+2]73Sqn RAFRAFCamel ace, 1918.Shores.
62 CottleJackCaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot14[13+1] (12 kills+2 Lost Control)45 SqnRFC & RAFCamel ace, Italian front, 1918.Shores
63 CoxGeorge MontagueCaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot5(3 kills+2 Lost Control)65SqnRFC & RAFCamel ace, 1917-18.Shores
64 CraigWilliam BensonLtCanadaAlliesPilot8(4 kills+4 Lost Control)204SqnRNAS & RAF26/09/1918Camel ace, 1918. KIA.Shores
65 CreechJesse Orin1stLtUSAAlliesPilot7(6 kills+1 Lost Control) [6+1]148thASqnUS Air Service16/02/1948Camel ace, 1918.Shores (8 Toliver)
66 CrundallEdward DuncanCaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot7[6+1] (2 kills+5 Lost Control)8(N)Sqn, 210Sqn; 116 Calib.SqnRNAS & RAFTriplane 1917, Camel 1918.Shores
67 CulleyStuart D.FSLtGreat BritainAlliesPilot1(Zeppelin L.53, 1918)HM TBD RedoubtRNASShip's Camel, N.Sea, 1918.T.Henshaw
68 CunninghamJack ArmandLtColGreat BritainAlliesPilot10(6 kills+4 Lost Control or driven down)18Sqn, 6Sqn, 65Sqn, 65WgRFC & RAFScout pilot 1915-16, Camel ace 1917-18.Shores
69 CurtisWilfred AustinFlCdrCanadaAlliesPilot13[9+4] (4 kills+9 Lost Control)6(N)Sqn, 10(N)SqnRNASCamel ace, 1917-18.Shores
70 DalyRowan Heywood 'Bill'LtGreat BritainAlliesPilot3(2 kills+1 Lost Control ww1)10(N)Sqn; 47SqnRNAS & RAFTriplane, Camel 1917. Russia 1919.Shores
71 DaviesDouglas Arthur 'Dan'LtGreat BritainAlliesPilot10[7+3] (5 kills+5 Lost Control)150SqnRFC & RAFCamel ace, Salonika, 1918.Shores
72 DawesRichard Jeffries 'Dickie'CaptCanadaAlliesPilot9[8+1] (5 kills+4 Lost Control)45Sqn, 28SqnRFCCamel ace, Italian front, 1917-18.Shores
73 DayHaroldFLtGreat BritainAlliesPilot11[8+3] (9 kills+2 Lost Control)64SqnRNAS05/02/1918Camel ace, 1917-18. KIA.Shores
74 DayMiles Jeffrey GameFCdrGreat BritainAlliesPilot5[3+2] (3 kills+2 Lost Control)13(N)SqnRNAS27/02/1918Camel ace, 1918.Shores
75 DayHaroldFLtWales (Great Britain)AlliesPilot11[5+6] (3 kills+8 Lost Control)10(N), 8(N)SqnRNAS05/02/1918Camel ace, 1917-18. KIA.Shores
76 De RoeperBruno Philip HenryMajGreat BritainAlliesPilot5[3+2] (0 kill, 5 Lost Control)6(N)SqnRNASNieuport Scout, Camel, 1917.Shores
77 DebenhamHorace GilbertCaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot6[4+2] (2 kills+4 Lost Control)46Sqn, 208SqnRFC & RAFCamel ace, 1918.Shores
78 DennettPruett MullensLtGreat BritainAlliesPilot10[3+7] (4 kills+6 Lost Control)8Sqn RNAS;208Sqn RAFRNAS02/06/1918Camel ace, 1917-18. KIA.Shores
79 DewhirstJames HenryLtGreat BritainAlliesPilot7(6 kills+1 Lost Control)45SqnRAFCamel ace, Tyrol, 1918.Shores (8 Tesar)
80 DrakeEdward BarfootCaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot5(3 kills+2 Lost Control)MDF, 9(n)Sqn, 209SqnRNAS & RAF29/09/1918Camel ace, 1917-18.Shores
81 DraperChristopher 'Mad Major'MajGreat BritainAlliesPilot9[7+2] (1 balloon)(4 kills+5 Lost Control)3(N)Wg, 6(N)Sqn, 8(N)Sqn, 208SqnRNAS & RAFStrutter 1916, Camel ace 1917.Shores (Other sources 12 victories)
82 EatonEdward CarterLtCanadaAlliesPilot5[3+2] (2 kills+3 Lost Control)65SqnRFC26/06/1918Camel ace, 1917-18. MIA.Shores
83 EdwardsStearne TigheCaptCanadaAlliesPilot17[8+9] (9 kills+8 Lost Control)3(N)Wg, 2(N), 11(N), 6(N)Sqn, 9(N)Sqn, 209SqnRNAS22/11/1918Camel ace, 1917-18. WIFA and DOW.Shores
84 EdwardsCedric GeorgeLtGreat BritainAlliesPilot7[5+2] (4 kills+3 Lost Control)9(N)Sqn, 209SqnRNAS & RAF27/08/1918Camel ace, 1918. KIA.Shores
85 EllisSydney EmersonFSLtCanadaAlliesPilot5[3+2] (3 kills+2 Lost Control)4(N)SqnRNAS12/07/1917Pup, Camel 1917. KIFA.Shores
86 EllwoodAubrey BeauclerkLtGreat BritainAlliesPilot10[3+7] (5 kills+5 Lost Control)3(N)Sqn, 203SqnRNAS & RAFCamel ace, 1917-18. Coastal Com. WWII.Shores
87 EnstoneAlbert JamesCapt
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Distinguished Flying Cross

Distinguished Service Cross
Great BritainAlliesPilot15[13+2] (11 kills,4Lost Control,11 driven to ground)4 Sqn (N), 204 SqnRNAS & RAFPup, Camel ace, 1917-18. English WWI fighter ace, Albert James 'Jim' Enstone was born 25/8 1895. Enstone joined the Royal Naval Air Service on 3 April 1916 with the rank of temporary probationary flight sub-lieutenant. He learned to fly at Cranwell; seems to have showed early promise, as he was appointed as an acting flight commander during training. He graduated on 15 September 1916 with Royal Aero Club certificate 3677.

Enstone was confirmed in his rank as flight sub-lieutenant on 8 November 1916; he had already been appointed an acting flight lieutenant as early as 10 April 1916. He was one of the founding members of 4 Naval Squadron in April 1917; it was stationed at Bray Dunes on the Franco-Belgian border, and was tasked with both flying offensive patrols and escorting RNAS bombing missions. He used a Sopwith Pup (below) to counter German probes over the English Channel.

Sopwith Pup

Enstone destroyed four enemy aircraft near or over the English Channel between 9 May and 5 June 1917, including one kill shared with Arnold Jacques Chadwick. His second victory, scored on 9 May, forecast his later citation for valour; Naval 4 battled a large opposing force of German Albatroses for 25 minutes, with Alexander MacDonald Shook and Langley Frank Willard Smith joining Enstone in victory. After he and his squadron upgraded to Sopwith Camels, Enstone used his new mount to down three more German aircraft in July 1917, including an effort against a seaplane teamed with Chadwick and Ronald M. Keirstead.

The new ace would go on to push his victory total to 10 for 1917. Between his ninth and tenth wins, on 1 October 1917, Enstone was promoted from temporary flight sub-lieutenant to temporary flight lieutenant. He also won the Distinguished Service Cross during this string of victories. Enstone continued to win throughout the first half of 1918. When the RNAS was consolidated into the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918, his position as flight commander automatically gained him the rank of captain. In August 1918, he was relieved of combat duty and returned to Home Establishment in England. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross during this period.
Citation DSC: Flight Commander Alexander MacDonald Shook RNAS Flight Lieutenant Arnold Jacques Chadwick RNAS (since reported drowned) Flight Sub-Lieutenant Albert James Enstone, R.N.A.S. Flight Sub-Lieutenant Langley Frank Willard Smith RNAS (since reported missing) For exceptional gallantry and remarkable skill and courage whilst serving with the RNAS at Dunkirk during May and June, 1917, in repeatedly attacking and destroying hostile aircraft.
Citation DFC: Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Capt. Albert James Enstone, DSC (Sea Patrol). Has been engaged for eighteen months on active service flying (ten months as Flight Leader). Has destroyed twelve hostile machines and brought down six more out of control. During the past month Capt. Enstone attacked an enemy gun, which was firing on one of our crashed machines, and succeeded in blowing up the ammunition dump alongside the gun, causing a great explosion, with flames reaching to a height of nearly 300 feet.
Shores (Other sources 18 victories)

88 Eycott-MartinHarold RossLtGreat BritainAlliesPilot841Sqn, 66SqnRFC & RAFCamel ace, Italian front, 1918.Shores
89 FallJoseph Stewart Temple 'Joe'FCdr
Distinguished Service Cross & 2 Bars

AFC
CanadaAlliesPilot36[21+15] (23 kills+13 Lost Control)3 Sqn (N), 4 Sqn (N), 9 Sqn (N)RNASPup and Camel ace, 1917. By December 1917 he had brought down 36 enemy aircraft and two observation balloons. He was awarded the DSC two more times making him the only pilot in history to hold the DSC with 2 bars for gallantry in the air.

Fall with his Pup

The unofficial title of ACE was given to pilots who claimed 5 confirmed victories in the air. Excluding time spent as a bomber pilot and other duties, on April 23rd 1917, Joe Fall became an ace in just 21 days. Five days later, on April 28th Raymond Collishaw of Nanaimo claimed his fifth victory and, on the very same day, a young German Lieutenant, one Herman Goring also became an ace in the Vimy area. Joe Fall exhibited amazing flying and marksmanship skills and scored an incredible 36 victories in just 9 months of a five-year war. Can you imagine what his achievements may have been if he had served in France for the entire war?
Shores

90 Fiala von FernbruggBennoObltO

Iron Cross, OL, MMC(AH), MMM, MFB,

Iron Cross
Austro-Hungarian EmpireCentral PowersPilot28[24+4] (1 balloon)Flik1, 19, 41J, 12D, 56J, 51JDate Of Birth: June 16, 1890 Place of Birth: Vienna, Austria Date Of Death: October 29, 1964 Place of Death: Vienna, Austria C.I, D.I, Albatros, Italy, 1916-17. Austro-Hungarian WWI fighter ace, Benno Fiala von Fernbrugg was born 16/6 1890. On March 30, 1918, Fiala scored his 14th confirmed victory near Gorgo del Molino, forcing down a Sopwith Camel flown by English ace Alan Jerrard.Franks (29 Shores; other sources 3 unconf)
91 FindlayMaxwell HutcheonCaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot14[12+2] (6 kills+8 Lost Control)6N Sqn, 1N Sqn, 201SqnRNAS & RAFCamel ace, 1917-18. KIFA.Shores (Other sources 15 victories)
92 FindlayMaxwell HutcheonCaptGreat Britain ScotlandAlliesPilot14[12+2] (6 kills+8 Lost Control)6N Sqn, 1N Sqn, 201SqnRNAS & RAFCamel ace, 1917-18. KIFA.Shores (Other Sources 15)
93 FirthJohn Charles BradleyCaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot11[8+3] (9 kills+2 Lost Control)64SqnRFC23/08/1931Strutter, Camel, France, Italy, 1917-18.Shores
94 FitzgibbonDesmond FitzgeraldFLtGreat BritainAlliesPilot8[6+2] (1 kill+7 Lost Control)3Wg, 10(N)Sqn RNASRNASTriplane ace, Camel, 1917.Shores
95 FormanJames HenryCaptCanadaAlliesPilot9[7+2] (4 kills+5 Lost Control)6(N)Sqn, 1(N)Sqn, 201Sqn, 70SqnRNAS & RAFCamel ace, 1917-18. POW.Shores
96 FosterRobert MordauntCaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot16[8+8] (12 kills+4 Lost Control)54Sqn, 209SqnRFC & RAFCamel ace, 1918. RAF WWII.Shores
97 FowlerHerbert Howard SnowdonLtCanadaAlliesPilot6[2+4] (2 kills+4 Lost Control)8(N)Sqn, 208SqnRAFCamel ace, 1918.Shores
98 FranklynAdrian WinfridLtGreat BritainAlliesPilot7[4+3] (5 kills+2 Lost Control)3SqnRFC & RAFCamel ace, 1918.Shores
99 FreehillMaurice MichaelCaptGreat BritainAlliesPilot7[4+3] (4 kills+3 Lost Control)46Sqn, 80SqnRFC & RAFCamel ace, 1918.Shores
100 FrewMatthew Brown 'Bunty'CaptDSO, Military Cross and Bar, AFC, MMVGreat BritainAlliesPilot23[21+2] (14 kills+9 Lost Control)45SqnRFCStrutter, Camel, West, Italy, 1917-18.Shores (Other sources 30 victories)

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