Operation: Patrol

Date: 6th September 1940 (Friday)

Unit: No. 601 Squadron

Type: Hurricane I

Serial: P3363

Code: UF-W

Base: RAF Tangemere

Location: Matfield, Brenchley, Kent

Pilot: Fl/Lt. Carl Raymond Davis DFC 90131 RAF (A) Age 29. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

A Battle of Britain pilot who had been credited with 9 aircraft destroyed, 1 shared, a further 4 probably destroyed, 1 shared, 4 others damaged. Giving him the ace status.

Above - area of crash with insert of pilot Fl/Lt. Davis. Below: Hurricane of 601 Squadron.

Combat took place over Redhill, Gatwick at 09.30 hrs after taking off at 08.52 hrs to patrol an area over Staplehurst. 11 Hurricanes of 601 Squadron were then ordered to patrol over Hayfield at 15,000 ft. After some time about 50 Me109's were seen at 20,000 ft in sections of 4 or 5 milling around apparently after been engaged by other fighters. No enemy bombers were seen in the area. 

Right: Fl/Lt. Carl Raymond Davis DFC (courtesy Sherborne School Archives)

Our fighters climbed to attack and a series of dog fights followed. P/O. Topolnicki claims 2 Me109's. His combat report with that of F/O. Humphrey Gilbert, both of whom baled out, has not yet been obtained. Weather - very good. Fl/Lt. W.H. Rhodes-Moorhouse DFC 90140 RAF flying Hurricane P8818 and F/O. C.R. Davis missing, 30 year old P/O. Juliusz Topolnicki 76722 PAF flying Hurricane P3382 and F/O. Humphrey T. Gilbert flying Hurricane V6647 slightly wounded.

Fl/Lt. Davis's Hurricane - crashed within the gardens of Canterbury Cottage, Matfield, Brenchley, Kent.

DFC Citation - published in the London gazette:

F/O. Davis has been engaged on operational flying since 3rd September, 1939. He has taken part in nearly all patrols and interceptions carried out by his squadron. He has been a section leader for the last two months, and on several occasions has led his flight. F/O. Davis has personally destroyed six enemy aircraft, and severely damaged several others. He has shown great keenness and courage.

Left: Sherborne School, Dorset - Any further information that you are able to assist them with fallen former pupils from all wars, we would be pleased to pass onto them. 

Burial details:

Fl/Lt. Carl Raymond Davis DFC. Storrington Churchyard (ST. Mary). Further information (courtesy Sherborne School Archives): Born 0n 30th July 1911 in Transvaal, South Africa to American parents. Son of Carl Raymond and Clara May Davis, husband of Katharine Anne Davis, of Chelsea, London. B.A. (Cantab.), B.A. Attended Sherborne School (Westcott House) 1924-1929; 6th form. Trinity College, Cambridge, BA. McGill University, Montreal, BA. Mining Engineer. Obtaining his mining degree, he then took flying lessons in New Jersey while living with his sister.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to With thanks to Sherborne School Archives for additional information. Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Aircrew Remembered own Archives. Intel reports 601 Squadron. Peter Sikora for Polish information. McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

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