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Aviation History
1918
1918 - 1368.PDF
DECEMBER 5, 1918 HONOURS Two More V.Cs. IT was announced in a supplement to the London Gazette,on November 30th, that the King has been pleased to confer the Victoria Cross on the following officers of the Royal AirForce, in recognition of bravery of the highest possible order:— Capt. (acting Major) WILLIAM GEORGE BARKER, D.S.O.,M.C., No. 201 Squadron, R.A.F. On the morning of October 27th, 1918, this officer observed *an enemy two-seater over the Foret 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, toshoot down the enemy aeroplane in flames. He then found himself in the middle of a large formation of Fokkers, whoattacked him from all directions, and was again severely wounded in the left thigh, but succeeded in driving down twoof the enemy in a spin. He lost consciousness after this, and his machine fell out of control. On recovery he foundhimself being again attacked heavily by a large formation, and singling out one machine, he deliberately charged anddrove it down in flames. During this fight his left elbow was shattered and he again fainted, and on regaining consciousnesshe found himself still being attacked, but notwithstanding that he was now severely wounded in both legs and his leftarm was shattered, he dived on the nearest machine and shot it down in flames. Being greatly exhausted, he dived outof the fight to regain our lines, but was met by another for- mation which attacked and endeavoured to cut him off,but after a hard fight he succeeded in breaking up this forma- tion and reached our lines, where he crashed on landing.This combat, in which Major Barker destroyed four enemy machines (three oj them in flames), brought his total successesup to 50 enemy machines destroyed, and is a notable example of the exceptional bravery and disregard of danger whichthis very gallant officer has always displayed throughout his distinguished career. Major Barker was awarded the Military Cross on January10th, 1917 ; first Bar on July 18th, 1917 ; the Distinguished Service Order on February 18th, 1918 ; second Bar to MilitaryCross on September 16th, 1918 ; and Bar to Distinguished Service Order on.November 2nd, 1918. Lieut, (acting Capt.) ANDREW WEATHERBY BEAUCHAMP- PROCTOR, D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C., No. 84 Squadron, R.A.F.Between August 8th, 1918, and October 8th, 1918, this officer proved himself victor in 26 decisive combats, destroy-ing 12 enemy kite balloons, 10 enemy aircraft, and driving down four other enemy aircraft completely out of control.Between October 1st, 1918, and October 5th, 1918, he destroyed two enemy scouts, burnt three enemy kite balloons,and drove down one enemy scout completely out of control. On October 1st, 1918, in a general engagement with about28 machines, he crashed one Fokker biplane near Fontaine and a second near Ramicourt ; on October 2nd he burnta hostile balloon near Selvigny; on October 3rd he drove down, completely out of control, an enemy scout near Montd'Origny, and burnt a hostile balloon ; on October 5th the third hostile balloon near Bohain. On October 8th, 1918,while flying home at a low altitude, after destroying an enemy two-seater near Maretz, he was painfully wounded in thearm by machine-gun fire, but, continuing, he landed safely at his aerodrome, and after making his report was admittedto hospital. In all he has proved himself conqueror over 54 foes, destroying 22 enemy machines, 16 enemy kite balloons,and driving down 16 enemy aircraft completely out of control. Capt. Beauchamp-Proctor's work in attacking enemy troopson the ground -and in reconnaissance during the withdrawal following on the battle of St. Quentin from March 21st, 1918,and during the victorious advance of our Armies commencing on August 8th, has been almost unsurpassed in its brilliancy,and as such has made an impression on those serving in his squadron and those around him that will not be easily for-gotten. Capt. Beauchamp-Proctor was awarded Military Crosson June 22nd, 1918 ; D.F.C. on July 2nd, 1918 ; Bar to M.C. on September i6th, 1918 ; and Distinguished Service Orderon November 2nd, 1918. Cairo to Baghdad ANOTHER achievement lies to the credit of the RoyalAir Force. On November 29th Major-Gen. Salmond, R.A.F., Brig.-Gen.Boston, R.A.F., and Capt. Ross Smith, A.F.C., with two mechanics started from Cairo in a Handley-Page machine Foreign Decorations IT was also announced that the King has granted un-restricted permission for the wearing of the following decora- tions, conferred on the officers and other ranks indicated inrecognition of valuable services in connection with the War :— CONFERRED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC Legion d'Honneur Croix d'OfficierCol. (A./Brig.-Gen.) R. E. Trower Hogg, C.I.E. (Ind. Army). Maj. (A./Lieut.-Col.) A. V. Holt, D.S.O. (R. Highrs).Lieut.-Col. R. P. Mills, M.C. (R. Fus.). Croix de ChevalierLieut. (A./Capt.) O. M. Baldwin, D.F.C. ; Lieut. (A./Capt.) G. L. Graham, D.F.C. ; Lieut. (A./Capt.) W. B. Green,D.F.C. ; Sec. Lieut. (Hon. Lieut.) C. P. Harrison, M.C. ; Lieut. (A./Capt.) E. J. Salter ; Capt. H. W. Woollett, D.S.O.,M.C. (Line. R.). Medaille Militaire2249 Sergt.-Mech. H. W. Bush (Paddington, W.) ; 140801 Pte., 1st Cl., E. R. Macdonald (Matheson, Ont., Can.) ; 15399Sergt. S. B. Percival (Manch. R., attd. R.A.F.) (killed August 14th, 1918) ; 240289 Sergt.-Obser. F. L. Roberts(Finsbury, London). It was announced in a supplement to the London Gazetteon November 29th that the following decorations have been awarded by Allied Powers for distinguished services renderedduring the course of the campaign :— CONFERRED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLICCroix de Guerre 25862 1st Class Air-Mech, F. H. Freeman, No. 242 Squadron.R.F.C. CONFERRED BY THE KING OF THE BELGIANS Croix de Guerre Temp. Sec. Lieut. J. A. Higham, R.F.C. Awards for Mesopotamia IT was announced in a supplement to the London Gazetteon December 2nd that the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the following awards to the undermentionedofficers in recognition of their gallantry and devotion to duty in the Field :— Distinguished Service Order Capt. Eric Mackay Murray, M.C., Q.V.O., Corps of Guides,LA., and R.F.C. (Mesopotamia).—For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during three months' operations. Hepersistently showed courage and ability of a high order throughout. He was three times in action against enemyaircraft, and on the last occasion returned with 20 bullet holes in his machine, after his passenger had emptied 1J drumsof ammunition from a Lewis gun at the adversary. The Military Cross Capt. John Overton Cone Orton, 2nd Battalion NorfolkRegiment, attached R.F.C. (Mesopotamia).—For con- spicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during three months'operations. He showed splendid qualities as an observer and rendered most valuable service. His intimate knowledge ofthe country enabled his reports to be most accurate through- out. He was three times in action against enemy aircraft,and on the last occasion returned with 20 bullet holes in his machine, after ij drums of ammunition from a Lewis gun hadbeen emptied at the adversary. Medals for Brave NursesIT was announced in a supplement to the London Gazette on November 25th that-the King has been pleased to approveof the award of the Military Medal to the following ladies for exceptional courage and devotion to duty on the occasion ofair raids on hospitals in the war zone :— Miss Rosa Brain (S./Nurse), T.F.N.S. ' \Miss Evelyn M. Cridlan, F.A.N.Y. Miss Mary Devas Marshall, F.A.N.Y. .Miss Christina Margaret Urquhart, F.A.N.Y. and arrived at Damascus the same afternoon. Next daythey started from Damascus at 7.25 a.m. and flew to Baghdad, which they reached at 3.30 p.m. on December 1st. In threedays, the three countries, Egypt, Syria and Mesopotamia were visited, and the two great Asiatic Expeditionary Forceswere linked up....
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