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Aviation History
1918
1918 - 0736.PDF
JULY 4, 1918. HONOURS. Honours for the R.F.C. THE following is the continuation of the awards of the Military Cross which were gazetted on June 22nd, the first part of which was given in our last issue :— Sec. Lieut. WILLIAM HENRY GOODENOUGH MILNES, R-. Warwickshire Regt. and R.F.C.—For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When on a bombing raid at a height of 800 ft., he was attacked by four enemy two-seater machines, and by skilful manoeuvring enabled his observer to destroy one of them. In the course of five days' operations he dropped nearly a ton of bombs on enemy troops, camps and railways from a low altitude, and also used his machine-gun with gocd effect. He did excellent photographic work, and carried out several valuable long-distance reconnaissances. He always showed great courage and resource. . T. Sec. Lieut. CHARLES GEORGES DOUGLAS NAPIER, Gen. List and R.F.C.—For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion during a low-flying bombing attack he descended to a height of 100 ft. and dropped four bombs amongst a body of enemy troops, causing heavy casualties and scattering the enemy in all directions. Later, whilst on offensive patrol, he observed an enemy two-seater and two scouts. He fired twenty rounds at the two-seater, with the result that it crashed, and then attacked one of the scouts, which turned over completely, and finally went down in a vertical nose dive. In all he has to his credit two enemy machines crashed and four driven down out of control. He has displayed the greatest judgment, determination and daring. Lieut. (T. Capt.) DOUGLAS HAROLD OLIVER, Gen. List and R.F.C.—-For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He carried out a most successful reconnaissance, flying at a height of 500 ft. under heavy fire. Despite the fact that his machine had received a direct hit from a shell he succeeded in landing it at the aerodrome and brought back information of the greatest value. On the following day he carried out at a low altitude patrol under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire and obtained valuable information. His gallantry and determination have been most marked. Lieut. (T. Capt.) LESLIE GEORGE PALING, Notts and Derby Regt., Spec. Res. and R.F.C.—-For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While on contact patrol work he engaged a hostile battalion moving to the attack with bombs and machine gun fire, inflicting heavy casualties. On his return he was attacked by ten enemy scouts, all of which he suc- ceeded in driving off after a hard fight, but was forced to land in front of our lines. Having destroyed his machine, he gave information as to the dispositions of the enemy and the nearest hostile field batteries. His exceptional courage, dash and capacity for hard work have proved invaluable. T. Capt. WALTER HENRY PARK, R.F.C.—For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He undertook a long- distance reconnaissance under the most adverse conditions, and though several other machines were compelled to abandon the attempt he by his persistence completed his task and returned with valuable information. He is a patrol leader of the highest order, and his consistent gallantry and valuable services cannot be too highly praised. T. Sec. Lieut. HENRY BASIL PETT, R.F.C.—For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed great courage and skill while engaged on reconnaissances and contact patrols during operations, flying at very low altitudes under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire. On many occasions he located the enemy's line by deliberately drawing their fire from the ground. On one occasion he made a reconnaissance of a whole corps front in very bad weather, which made it necessary for him to fly at a height of 350 ft. He was con- tinuously under very heavy fire, but completed his reconnais- sance and obtained valuable information. T. Sec. Lieut. .MICHAEL HENRY PICOT, R.F.C.—For con- spicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. The information which he has brought back has been accurate and of the greatest value. In order to obtain such information he has been compelled to fly at very low altitudes, where he has been subjected to intense machine-gun and rifle fire. On one occasion, when the situation on the corps front was very obscure, h$ gained most valuable information by flying very low, but was compelled to return on account of his machine being riddled with bullets. He at once went up in another machine and completed his reconnaissance. His courage, persistence and good service have been most marked. T. Sec. Lieut. GERALD PILDITCH, Gen. List and R.F.C.— For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He engaged the enemy massed ready for an attack from a height of 300 ft., using up all his ammunition and scattering the enemy in all directions, inflicting very heavy casualties. Previously to this he had dived and fired on a hostile battery until he had silenced it, and had also destroyed an enemy triplane and a two-seater machine. His work has been of the highest order, and he has shown the greatest courage and energy in attacking ground targets. Lieut. (T. Capt.) THOMAS LAURENCE PURDOM, K.O.S.B. and R.F.C.—For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He attacked and shot down a hostile scout, and when himself attacked by a second scout, he shot the latter down out of control also. He has i r> addition to these destroyed four enemy machines within a month. He has shown the most excep- tional gallantry and daring in engaging enemy aircraft. T. Sec. Lieut. HAROLD BOLTON REDLER, Gen. List and R.F.C.—For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He encountered four enemy two-seater machines, and attack- ing the lowest drove it to the ground with its engine damaged. Later, he attacked one of five enemy two-seater machines and drove it down out of control. He has destroyed in all three . enemy machines, and driven three others down out of control. He continually attacked enemy troops and transport from a low altitude during operations, and showed splendid qualities of courage and determination throughout. T. Sec. Lieut. JAMES HEATH REEVES, Gen. List and R;F.C. —For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, in attack- ing enemy troops on the ground and in carrying out contact patrol work during operations. On one occasion he flew for two hours at a very low altitude, sometimes at only 50 ft., attacking enemy troops and transport. He was eventually severely wounded, but brought his machine back safely. He consistently showed great coolness and resource. T. Sec. Lieut. HERBERT BRIAN RICHARDSON, Gen. List and R.F.C.—For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While on patrol he attacked a formation of eight enemy aero- planes, one of which he destroyed. On another occasion he engaged two enemy two-seater machines, and destroyed one of them. He has destroyed six enemy machines and driven down five others out of control, and has done valuable work in attacking enemy troops on the ground. He consistently displayed great courage and skill. Lieut. JAMES TEMPLE RICHARDSON, Durham Light In- fantry and R.F.C.—For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During one night he made three successive flights over the enemy's lines, dropping a large number of bombs on transport and attacking ground targets with machine- gun fire. He has carried out upwards of sixty night-bombing raids, and has himself dropped over five tons of bombs. By his keenness and skill as an observer he has been of the greatest assistance to the pilots with whom he has flown. Lieut. HARRY ALEXANDER RIGBY, R.F.C., Spec. Res.— For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has carried out many low-flying bombing raids, obtaining direct hits on enemy troops, hutments and camps. On one occasion, after attacking a large column of enemy infantry on a road with machine-gun fire, he attacked and shot down in flames a hostile scout. His work has always been carried out with the utmost keenness and determination. T. Lieut. CHARLES CRICHTON ROBSON, R.F.C.'—For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He com- pleted a long-distance reconnaissance under very trying weather conditions, and succeeded in returning with the most valuable information. He has shown himself to be very cool and resourceful under all circumstances. Lieyt. GEORGE HOWARD HOMER SCUTT, Gen. List and R.F.C.—For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has destroyed one hostile machine, and driven down three others out of control. He carried out an important single-machine reconnaissance, frequently descending to a height of 100 ft. under heavy rifle and machine gun fire, and obtained valuable information. While returning, he attacked five enemy machines, and ably assisted his pilot in driving them back over their lines. He has carried out many suc- cessful photographic reconnaissances, and has at all times proved himself to be a keen and daring officer. Lieut. HERBERT WHITELAY SELLARS, R.F.C., Spec. Res. —For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Whilst on offensive patrol, he attacked a hostile two-seater machine, which dived vertically and eventually crashed. Having attacked another two-seater machine, which dived down over the enemy's lines, he engaged three hostile scouts, at the nearest of which his observer fired two bursts at 75 yards range, causing the enemy machine to crash down in flames. His skill and gallantry have been most marked. •'• T. Sec. Lieut. WILLIAM ERNEST STATON, Gen. List and R.F.C—For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion, when on offensive patrol, he, by the skilful' handling of his machine and accurate shooting destroyedtwo enemy aeroplanes and broaght down a third out of control. 734
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