Well known Pilots:
Captain
W.E. Staton,
MC, DFC and bar. Proceeded overseas with the Squadron on 20 January
1918 and obtained his first victory near Le Cateau on the 12th March
1918. On the following day he accounted for two in the same
area. He would attack formations of E.A, without the slightest
hesitation, even at times when the enemy formation was considerably
stronger than his own. Colleagues spoke of the exceptionally fine way
he led his patrol, and also of his help personally to any of his
aircraft which were in a difficult position. He was entirely
oblivious of his own personal danger, on many occasions flying
straight at German aircraft. He was an exceptionally capable shot
with his machine gun, and on the occasion when he drove an enemy
machine down, and destroyed it this side of the line, near Dury, (15
Sep 1918) the official report on the captured machine spoke in terms
of unstinted praise of the remarkable accuracy of the firing. He was
wounded in the leg by an explosive bullet, East of Cambrai on the 24
Sep 1918. Altogether he destroyed 19 EA and drove down 7 out
of control. [Later rose to the rank of Air Vice Marshal.]
Other
successful pilots of the Squadron were:-
Capt. L Campbell,
who accounted for 7 EA, and was, finally reported missing on the 9th
October 1918. [Confirmed dead, buried at Preseau Communal Cemetery]
Capt. G F Hughes,
who accounted for 11 EA [including Lt Lothar Von Richthofen], and
was afterwards posted to the Home Establishment.
Capt. E T Morrow,
who accounted for 7 EA, and was finally seriously wounded on 22
August 1918 by an explosive bullet, and was extricated from his
burning aircraft by his observer, 2/Lt L M Thompson.
Capt. G E Gibbons,
who accounted for 17 EA was finally posted to the Home
Establishment, having been decorated with the MC and the DFC.
Capt. T L Purdom
who accounted for 13 EA, and then proceeded to the Home Establishment
to command a Squadron.
Sgt. F Johnson
16 EA (most with 20 & 22 Sqns)
Lt. D A Savage
7 EA
Lt. W K Swayze
6 EA
Lt. H C M Nangle
5 EA
2/Lt. P S Manley
5 EA 27 Sep pow
Well known Observer/Gunners:
Lt. J R
Gordon 15 EA flying with Capt. Staton
2/Lt. P V G
Chambers 12 EA flying with Capt. Purdom
Capt.
H Claye 11 EA flying mainly with Capt.
Hughes (POW 19 May)
Lt. T E
Elliott 11 EA flying with Swayze, Allday
and Capt. Gibbons
Lt. S Parry 9
EA flying with Lt Arnison and Lt Nangle
Sgt. W N
Holmes 8 EA with several pilots
Capt.
S A W Knights 8 EA flying with Capt. Gibbons
Lt. L E
Mitchell 8 EA flying mainly with Capt. Staton
Lt. H E Merritt
9 EA
2/Lt. R Lowe
5 EA
2/Lt. J Bruce-Norton
5 EA with Lts Arthur and Rees-Jones
2/Lt. W Hodgkinson
5 EA with Capt. Campbell, finally reported missing on the 9th October
1918. [Confirmed dead, buried at Preseau Communal Cemetery]
Sgt. G F Hines
5 EA with 2/Lt Manley 27 Sep pow |