Charles Darwin (aviator)
Encyclopedia
Major Charles John Wharton Darwin was a First World War flying ace
credited with five aerial victories.
Darwin was the son of Col. Charles Waring Darwin CB DL JP (1855–1928) of Elston Hall and his wife Mary Dorothea (nee Wharton), the only daughter of the Rt Hon. John Lloyd Wharton
. Darwin was educated at Winchester School, and the RMC Sandhurst.
He served in France with the 2nd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards
from 1914 to 1916. He then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
. His first assignment, to 27 Squadron, saw him flying a Martinsyde G.100
. He then returned to England to instruct at the Central Flying School, Upavon, in 1917. When 87 Squadron was founded at Upavon in April 1918, Darwin led the effort. He accompanied the squadron into combat in France as a captain. When Major Joseph Callaghan
was killed in action on 2 July 1918, Darwin succeeded to command. Flying Sopwith Dolphin no. C4158, Darwin destroyed four enemy planes and drove down a fifth one out of control between 31 May and 26 September 1918.
Post war, he remained in the Royal Air Force at the Central Flying School and at RAF Cranwell
until his retirement in 1928. He then worked for Bristol Aeroplane Company as their London manager until the advent of the Second World War. He rejoined the RAF as a Squadron Leader
, but died unexpectedly on 26 December 1941.
(DSO)
Capt. (A./Major) Charles John Wharton Darwin. (FRANCE)
This officer has proved himself, an exceptionally skilful and gallant patrol leader, conspicuous for utter fearlessness and disregard of danger. On a recent occasion, in company with one other machine, he attacked a formation of fourteen Fokker biplanes, one of which was shot down and crashed. He has accounted for three hostile aircraft. Supplement to the London Gazette, 8 February 1919 (31170/2031)
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 five aerial victories.
Darwin was the son of Col. Charles Waring Darwin CB DL JP (1855–1928) of Elston Hall and his wife Mary Dorothea (nee Wharton), the only daughter of the Rt Hon. John Lloyd Wharton
John Lloyd Wharton
- External links :...
. Darwin was educated at Winchester School, and the RMC Sandhurst.
He served in France with the 2nd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards
Coldstream Guards
Her Majesty's Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards, also known officially as the Coldstream Guards , is a regiment of the British Army, part of the Guards Division or Household Division....
from 1914 to 1916. He then transferred 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...
. His first assignment, to 27 Squadron, saw him flying a Martinsyde G.100
Martinsyde G.100
-See also:-References:* Aircraft of World War I, Kenneth Munson, 1967 Ian Allan ISBN 0-7110-0356-4-External links:* http://www.theaerodrome.com/aircraft/gbritain/martinsyde_g100.php* http://www.britishaircraft.co.uk/aircraftpage.php?ID=721...
. He then returned to England to instruct at the Central Flying School, Upavon, in 1917. When 87 Squadron was founded at Upavon in April 1918, Darwin led the effort. He accompanied the squadron into combat in France as a captain. When Major Joseph Callaghan
Joseph Callaghan
Major Joseph Creuss Callaghan was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.The Irish-born Callaghan was living in Texas when World War I began; he returned home to join the Royal Munster Fusiliers. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 1 September 1915. He was assigned to No...
was killed in action on 2 July 1918, Darwin succeeded to command. Flying Sopwith Dolphin no. C4158, Darwin destroyed four enemy planes and drove down a fifth one out of control between 31 May and 26 September 1918.
Post war, he remained in the Royal Air Force at the Central Flying School and at RAF Cranwell
RAF Cranwell
RAF Cranwell is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire close to the village of Cranwell, near Sleaford. It is currently commanded by Group Captain Dave Waddington...
until his retirement in 1928. He then worked for Bristol Aeroplane Company as their London manager until the advent of the Second World War. He rejoined the RAF as a Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
, but died unexpectedly on 26 December 1941.
Honors and awards citations
Distinguished Service OrderDistinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
(DSO)
Capt. (A./Major) Charles John Wharton Darwin. (FRANCE)
This officer has proved himself, an exceptionally skilful and gallant patrol leader, conspicuous for utter fearlessness and disregard of danger. On a recent occasion, in company with one other machine, he attacked a formation of fourteen Fokker biplanes, one of which was shot down and crashed. He has accounted for three hostile aircraft. Supplement to the London Gazette, 8 February 1919 (31170/2031)