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Aviation History
1919
1919 - 0242.PDF
EIGHT who has carried out many valuable long-distance photographic reconnaissances with marked success, invariably displaying great keenness and courage. Lieut. John Alexander Shearer. (France.)—Always keen and eager to ascend, however bad the weather, this officer sets a very high example of devotion to duty. He has taken part in over 160 successful shoots in the last five months, and has obtained for the various formations concerned much valuable information. Lieut. Thomas MacMillan Shields. (France.)—This officer has shown consistent courage and powers of observation when on contact patrols, having on numerous occasions rendered most valuable reports as to the posi tions of our own and enemy troops. He has also done excellent photo graphic work. When engaged on the latter service he was, on October 8, attacked by nine Fokker biplanes; one of these was driven down out of control. Further observation being impossible owing to the presence of these aeroplanes, he was compelled to retire, which he successfully accom plished, displaying marked skill in eluding the enemy. Lieut. William Sidebottom, 203rd Squadron. (France.)—This officer has carried out numerous offensive and low bombing patrols with courage, skill and judgment. He has also proved himself a bold and resolute fighter in aerial combats, having nine enemy machines to his credit. Lieut. Harold William Skinner. (France.)—This officer has flown about 500 hours on active service, and on all occasions has shown fearlessness in action against the enemy. During recent battles be has rendered con spicuous service, engaging troops, transport, guns, etc., from very low alti tudes, and obtaining many direct hits on ground targets with bombs. He has destroyed four enemy machines. Lieut. (A. Capt.) Francis Ryan Smith, M.C. (Australian F.C.). (France.)— This officer combines high individual enterprise and determination with exceptionally able leadership. These qualities were conspicuous on October 14 when, leading a patrol of five machines, he saw a formation of 12 Fokker biplanes above him. Relying on the co-operation of another higher formation of Bristol machines, he deliberately manoeuvred his formation into a dis advantageous position in order that our higher patrol might be able to attack the enemy while the Iatter's attention was concentrated upon destroying his, Lieut. Smith's, formation. The stratagem was entirely successful, with the result that two enemy machines were destroyed and two others were believed to crash. The Fokkers were then reinforced by eight more machines, and in the ensuing combat Lieut. Smith shot down one in flames, his patrol destroying two others. We suffered no casualties. (M.C. gazetted November 14, 1916.) Sec. Lieut. (A. Lieut.) Harold Smith. (France.)—An officer of high courage and determination. On October r, in exceptionally inclement weather, he successfully bombed a railway station, being the only officer who reached the objective. On another occasion, when 10 miles over the enemy lines, his pilot fainted and fell over the controls, forcing the machine to a steep dive. Pushing back the pilot off the controls, Lieut. Smith regained control of the machine and brought it safely to our lines. Capt. Ross Macpherson Smith, M.C. (Australian L.H. and Australian F.C.). (Egypt.)—Lieut. Walker Alister Kirk (Australian F.C.). (Egypt.)— During the months of June and July these officers accounted for two enemy machines, and they have been conspicuous for gallantry and initiative in attacking ground targets, frequently at very low altitudes. The keenness and fine example set by these officers cannot be over-estimated. (Capt. R. M Smith's M C. gazetted May n, 1917; Bar to M.C., March 26, 1918. The awards of first and second Bars to the D.F. Cross are also announced in this Gazette.) Sec. Lieut. William Watson Smith. (Italy.)—This officer has shown exceptional keenness and efficiency as an observer. He has taken part in numerous reconnaissances, and his reports are invariably clear and accurate, containing valuable information which has proved of great assistance in our recent operations. Lieut. (A. Capt.) Neil Reitz Smuts. (France.)—During recent operations this officer has displayed marked courage and initiative in attacking ground targets from low altitudes, inflicting heavy damage on the enemy. On September 28 he demolished at least four gun teams and limbers, causing very heavy casualties among the personnel and horses. Capt. Frank Ormond Soden. (France.)—A bold and skilful officer who has accounted for three enemy aeroplanes and two balloons during recent operations. Lieut. (A. Capt.) John Speaks. (France.)—A gallant and courageous officer. On October 8 he attacked, from a height of 100 ft., an enemy balloon on the ground, nine miles over the line, and set it on fire. Later, seeing a train, he descended tn jo ft. and fired at it till it stopped. He then attacked and scattered horse transport, causing great confusion ; and before finishing his patrol Lieut. Speaks bombed a hostile town. Capt. (A. Maj.) Herbert Victor Stammers. (France.)—On September 18 this officer rendered very gallant and meritorious service in carrying out an aerial reconnaissance at a low altitude over the enemy lines diurng our attack. The reconnaissance was rendered most difficult by our smoke screen, and during the whole flight Maj. Stammers was subjected to heavy machine-gun fire and aerial hostility. Despite this, with unflinching courage, this officer persevered, and was enabled to submit a most valuable report to corps headquarters. Lieut. William Steele. (Egypt.)—On September 17 this officer gallantly landed and rescued two officers who were compelled to land behind the enemv lines. Between that date and September 23 Lieut. Steele led and took part in a number of verv successful bombing raids, and, although wounded in the hand on September 19, he remained on duty. Lieut. Robert Sterling. (France.)—Sec. Lieut. James Owen. (France.)— On October 1, when on contact patrol, these offirers displayed marked gallantry and endurance. Flying at altitudes from 500 to 1,000 ft. for three hours, they successfully locat?d the enemy defence lines. Frequently attacked by macbine-gun fire from the gtround, they never refused to engage. Having obtained the information required, they attacked enemy transport that was crowded a'.ontr a certain road, continuing the attack as far as 7,000 yards behind the enemy lines. Capt. John Heron Storey. (Egypt.)—A bold and courageous officer, who has rendered exceptional service on artillery and reconnaissance work. On September 11, whilst reconnoitring, his observer was wounded and his machine badly damaged by a direct hit from an anti-aircraft gun. Capt. Storey succeeded in bringing his machine back, and at once proceeded to complete his reconnaissance in another machine, thereby displaying devotion to duty of a high order. Sec. Lieut. Frank Thomas Scott. (France.)—This officer has completed 118 hours' service flving, and has taken part in many successful bombing raids, displaying marked keenness and courage, notably on October 4, when, three leaders having been forced to fall out owing to engine trouble, he assumed the leadership of a bombing raid on a railway siding, although at that time his machine was badly damaged by anti-aircraft fire. He led the formation over the objective with such excellent judgment that seven direct hits were obtained and considerable damage done. Lieut. (A. Capt.) Charles Sutherland. (France.)—The services rendered by this officer on contact and reconnaissance patrols during recent operations are deserving of high praise. Subjected at times to severe hostile fire, handi capped by adverse weather conditions and by our own smoke barrage, Capt. Sutherland allows no difficulties to interlere with the carrying out oi bis allotted task, invariably bringing back valuable and accurate reports of the positions FEBRUARY 20, 1919 of our own and enemy troops, which have been of the greatest assistance in our operations. He sets a fine example of steady devotion to duty. Lieut. (A. Capt.) Robert Bruce Sutherland (Can. Local Forces). (Egypt,)— This officer has done very valuable work during the last year on this front. Between September 17 and 23 he was conspicuous for his gallant and brilliant leadership. Lieut. (A. Capt.) Ronald Sykes, 201st Squadron. (France.)—An excellent patrol leader, who displayed marked gallantry on September 27. While engaged in dropping bombs on enemy infantry in a sunken road he was attacked by fonr enemy aeroplanes. Out-manoeuvring them, he retired west. As soon as the hostile aeroplanes had withdrawn, he returned and fired a number of rounds into the infantry at 200 ft., causing many casualties. He then dived on another party of 15, who became so demoralised that they surrendered to one of our men. Sec. Lieut. Leslie Walter Thres. (Ttaly.)—A very keen and reliable pUot, who has done excellent work in co-operation with our artillery. The success he has achieved in this service has been largely due to his unfailing perse verance and devotion to duty. Sec. Lieut. George Irving Thomson. (France.)—On November 6 the machine in which this officer was flying was hit by a shell and the left aileron control shot away. At once it began to fall completely out of control. At a height of 500 ft. Sec. Lieut. Thomson, with fine presence of mind and con tempt of danger, climbed on to the right-hand lower plane, thus enabling the pilot to bring the machine on an even keel and to land safely in our lines. Lieut. Albert Victor Tonkin (Australian F.C.). (Egypt.)—A gallant and determined officer who, in various engagements, has destroyed two enemy aircraft and driven down seven others. During recent operations ho has been conspicuous for his boldness in attacking hostile troops on the ground. On three occasions Lieut. Tonkin has been forced to land beyond our lines. On one of these, his machine being riddled with bullets, he was taken prisoner, but was subsequently recaptured by our advancing troops. Lieut. (A. Capt.) Thomas Cathcart Traill. (France.)—An officer of marked skill and bravery, who has shot down three enemy machines and seriously damaged a fourth. On October 23 his machine accidentally collided with one of ours at a height of 7,000 ft., and a part of the left plane was carried away, the marhine being thereby rendered out of control. With great pres ence of mind Capt. Traill ordered his observer to climb out and so directed him to balance the machine which enabled him to obtain partial control. Displaying rare skill and determination, he managed to land his damaged machine safely. Lieut. Philip Murray Tudhope (France.)—On October 18 this officer displayed marked presence of mind and initiative. Seeing an enemy battery proceeding along a road towards a town which he knew was held by our troops, Lieut. Tudhope descended to a low altitude to accelerate its progress. So successful was this manoeuvre that the leading gun was driven into the hands of our infantry and captured ; the remainder wheeled about and retired, pursued by this officer. Lieut. Kenneth Russell Unger. (France.)—A gallant and skilful officer. On October 30. separated from his patrol owing to engine trouble, he was attacked by seven Fokkers: undaunted by the odds against him, he. without hesitation, engaged them. and. by skilful manoeuvring, shot one down to crash. He has accounted for nine enemy aeroplanes and one kite balloon. Sec. Lieut. Reginald Charles Van Der Ben. M.C. (E^ypt.)—During recent operations this officer's reconnaissance work has been invaluable in keeping touch with the advanced cavalry and in reporting the disposition of the enemy. Sec. Lieut. Van Der Ben is a keen and zealous officer, always ready to volunteer for any service requiring quick initiative and daring. (M.C. gazetted September'24, 1918.) Lieut. (A. Capt.) Heny Edward Walker, M.C. (Egypt.)—A gallant and courageous officer who has served continuously on the front for twelve months, during which period he has shot down several enemy machines. Throughout recent operations his bombing has been exceptionally accurate, a large percentage of direct hits on transport, etc., being obtained. (M.C. gazetted September 16, 1918.) Lieut. (A. Capt.) John McDonald Walker. (France.)—On October 9,. during an artillery patrol, this officer was, on two occasions, attacked by eight and two Fokker biplanes in succession. Displaying marked courage, he drove off these attacks and continued his patrol far into the enemy country, engaging troops and transport from a low altitude with bombs and machine-gun fire. On another occasion when on patrol he was attacked by seven enemy machines which he drove off, and most successfully completed bis patrol. Capt. John Banks Walmsley (Indian Army). (Salonica.)— A resolute and gallant officer and a most efficient flight leader. On September 4, when on contact patrol, bis machine was set on fire : his observer having extinguished it, Capt. Walmsley descended to joo ft. in order to attack the enemy trenches. His engine was again hit and set on fire, but be succeeded in bringing the machine home, thus displaying marked skill and presence of mind. Maj. Andre Adolpb Walser, M.C. (France.)—A brilliant and exceptionally able squadron commander who, by bi« unsparing efforts and his fine personal example, has raised the morale of his squadron to a very high level. The comprehensive and detailed information obtained by Mai. Walser in the large number of low reconnaissances be has conducted has proved of the greatest value to his corps. (M.C. gazetted November 14, 1916.) Lieut. Kenneth Bowman Watson. (France.)—On October 28, when on offensive patrol, this officer took part in an engagement between six of our machines and 22 Fokkers. In the combat that ensued four of the latter were destroyed, Lieut. Watson accounting for one. In addition to the ioregoinp he has four other machines to his credit. Awarded the Distinguished Firing Medal 49701 Sergt.-Mech. Charles Beeks. (Egypt.)—This non-commissioned officer observer displayed the greatest courage and keenness during recent operations. Untiring and efficient in his devotion to duty, be is oi the greatest assistance to the officers under whom he serves. 2834 Sergt. Mech. Thomas Dowsett. (Salonica).—During the operations, August to October. 1018, this pilot was engaged in more than too bombing raids on the 16th Corps front, on several occasions taking part in three flights, and sometimes four, in one dav, displaying courage and keenness at all times. 201343 Mas.-Mcch. Richard Mullins. (Sea Patrol, North Sea.)—As ob server in a Short seaplane during a raid on Zeppelin sheds in Schleswig-Holstein on March 25, iqifi, be rendered valuable services, displaying marked courage, initiative and resource in this hazardous undertaking. 217050 Sergt.-Mech. fObsr.) William Parnell Murphy. (Independent Force, France.)—During sixteen months this non-commissioned officer has acted as observer on 38 night bombing raids, showing at all times exceptional keenness and enthusiasm. His bombing, shooting and observations have been brilliant, and his ability in navigating his machine to and from the objective bai been marked. 203956 Corpl.-Mech. Albert Arthur Parker. (France.)—This non-com missioned officer has rendered exceptionally good service as bomber and ob server, displaying utter fearlessness and disregard of danger when exposed to heavy hostile fire. 214791 Sergt. Francis Harry Pritchard. (Sea Patrol, Flanders.)—For gal lant conduct as an observer on May 28, 1918, in a bombing raid carried out from a height of only 200 ft. on the South Lock Gate of Zecbrugae. It has 242
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