Charles C. Banks
Encyclopedia
Captain Charles Chaplin Banks DFC
MC
(1893–1971) was a World War I flying ace
credited with thirteen aerial victories. He scored a pioneering night fighter victory on 31 May 1918, when he shot down a German Friedrichshafen G bomber.
, Wales. He originally joined the Fifth Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers before shifting to the Royal Flying Corps
in October 1916. After pilot training, he was assigned to 44 Squadron.
on Home Defence duties with 44 Squadron, he teamed with Captain George Hackwill in driving down and capturing a German Gotha G.V bomber, serial no. 936/16, raiding England. The feat was worth a Military Cross.
He was then forwarded to France to serve with 43 Squadron. Between 6 April and 31 May 1918, he reeled off five more wins; for the last of these, he drove down and captured a Friedrichshafen G bomber at ten minutes before midnight for the first victory over this type. He would destroy three more enemy fighters by 29 August, bringing his total to nine. He then switched to the new Sopwith Snipe
for his last three wins, ending his string on 30 October 1918. His final tally was two enemy planes captured, six destroyed, and four driven down out of control, although one of the latter was shared with Captain Cecil Frederick King
.
Lt. Charles Chaplin Banks, R. Welsh Fus., and R.F.C.
T./Capt. George Henry Hackwill, Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry displayed when they engaged and shot down a Gotha raiding London.
During the engagement, which lasted a considerable time, they were continually under fire from the enemy machine.
Text to citation for Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Lieut. (A./Capt.) Charles Chaplin Banks, M.C. (FRANCE)
A brilliant and skilful airman who has been conspicuous for his success in aerial combats. On 30 October he, single handed, engaged five enemy aeroplanes and drove one down out of control. In the fight his aileron controls were shot away, but by skilful handling and with cool presence of mind he brought his machine back and made a successful landing. In addition to the above Capt. Banks has accounted for nine other enemy machines.
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
MC
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(1893–1971) was a World War I flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with thirteen aerial victories. He scored a pioneering night fighter victory on 31 May 1918, when he shot down a German Friedrichshafen G bomber.
Early life and service
Charles Chaplin Banks was the son of Helen Agnes and Charles P. Banks; the latter owned and taught Arnold House Preparatory School in LlanddulasLlanddulas
Llanddulas is a village in Conwy county borough, North Wales midway between Old Colwyn and Abergele and next to the North Wales Expressway.The village lies beneath the limestone hill of Cefn-yr-Ogof...
, Wales. He originally joined the Fifth Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers before shifting to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
in October 1916. After pilot training, he was assigned to 44 Squadron.
Aerial service
On 28 January 1918, while flying his Sopwith CamelSopwith Camel
The Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter introduced on the Western Front in 1917. Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company, it had a short-coupled fuselage, heavy, powerful rotary engine, and concentrated fire from twin synchronized machine guns. Though difficult...
on Home Defence duties with 44 Squadron, he teamed with Captain George Hackwill in driving down and capturing a German Gotha G.V bomber, serial no. 936/16, raiding England. The feat was worth a Military Cross.
He was then forwarded to France to serve with 43 Squadron. Between 6 April and 31 May 1918, he reeled off five more wins; for the last of these, he drove down and captured a Friedrichshafen G bomber at ten minutes before midnight for the first victory over this type. He would destroy three more enemy fighters by 29 August, bringing his total to nine. He then switched to the new Sopwith Snipe
Sopwith Snipe
The Sopwith 7F.1 Snipe was a British single-seat biplane fighter of the Royal Air Force . It was designed and built by the Sopwith Aviation Company during the First World War, and came into squadron service a few weeks before the end of that conflict, in late 1918.The Snipe was not a fast aircraft...
for his last three wins, ending his string on 30 October 1918. His final tally was two enemy planes captured, six destroyed, and four driven down out of control, although one of the latter was shared with Captain Cecil Frederick King
Cecil Frederick King
Captain Cecil Frederick King , Military Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, French Croix de Guerre was a World War I fighter ace credited with 22 aerial victories.-Early life:...
.
Honours and awards
Text of citation for the Military Cross (MC)Lt. Charles Chaplin Banks, R. Welsh Fus., and R.F.C.
T./Capt. George Henry Hackwill, Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry displayed when they engaged and shot down a Gotha raiding London.
During the engagement, which lasted a considerable time, they were continually under fire from the enemy machine.
Text to citation for Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Lieut. (A./Capt.) Charles Chaplin Banks, M.C. (FRANCE)
A brilliant and skilful airman who has been conspicuous for his success in aerial combats. On 30 October he, single handed, engaged five enemy aeroplanes and drove one down out of control. In the fight his aileron controls were shot away, but by skilful handling and with cool presence of mind he brought his machine back and made a successful landing. In addition to the above Capt. Banks has accounted for nine other enemy machines.