Charles Findlay
Encyclopedia
Group Captain Charles Findlay was a professional military officer. In World War I, he was a flying ace
credited with fourteen aerial victories. He made the Royal Air Force his career, and served his country throughout World War II.
's 6th Battalion, effective 8 September 1915. He was posted to the Highlanders at their base at Kantara, Egypt, and fought in their Sinai Campaign in December 1916. He then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
.
. In early 1918, in response to his request, Findlay was posted to a fighter squadron assignment with 88 Squadron, then forming at RAF Kenley
. The squadron took its new Bristol F.2 Fighter
s to France in April 1918. Findlay scored his first victory on 30 July 1918, driving a Pfalz D.III
down out of control. Then, on 6 August, he scored the first of thirteen consecutive wins over Fokker D.VII
s, the Germans' newest fighter. On 11 August, he scored a quadruple victory, burning two Fokkers and driving two down. He ended his tally on 30 October 1918, with a double victory. In summary, he destroyed eleven enemy airplanes, setting six of them on fire; he also drove down three more out of control, all without his plane taking a single bullet hole.
Aerial victory was not Findlay's only contribution to his country's war effort; he also helped raid enemy aerodromes. He also experimented with wireless telegraphy between airplanes.
to Flight Lieutenant
on 30 June 1923. On 30 June 1931, he was promoted from Flight Lieutenant to Squadron Leader
. His promotion from Squadron Leader
to Wing Commander
took place 1 April 1937) He was awarded the Air Force Cross on 9 June 1938. Promotion to Group Captain
came on 1 September 1940. He retired in 1941 as a Group Captain, but returned to be re-employed for another five years.
Lieut. (A./.Capt.) Charles Findlay. (FRANCE)
On 29 October this officer led his flight with the greatest dash and determination against a hostile formation of about fifty machines. Reinforced by six more machines—making a total of twelve in all—he fought his patrol against the enemy's overwhelming numbers for upwards of half-on-hour, but the enemy being continuously reinforced he was eventually forced to withdraw. Cleverly extricating his formation he retired across the lines, our only casualties being one pilot and one observer wounded. The enemy lost heavily, five machines being shot down in flames (one by Capt. Findlay), four destroyed and six driven down out of control.
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 fourteen aerial victories. He made the Royal Air Force his career, and served his country throughout World War II.
Early life and service
Charles Findlay was a married arts student in Glasgow as World War I broke upon the world. He enlisted in the Mounted Field Ambulance Section of the 52nd (Lowland) Division in March 1915, but then was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Highland Light InfantryHighland Light Infantry
The Highland Light Infantry was a regiment of the British Army from 1881 to 1959. In 1923 the regimental title was expanded to the Highland Light Infantry ...
's 6th Battalion, effective 8 September 1915. He was posted to the Highlanders at their base at Kantara, Egypt, and fought in their Sinai Campaign in December 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...
.
Aerial service in World War I
Findlay went for pilot training with 52 Squadron. As soon as he qualified as a pilot in May 1917, he was retained with the squadron as an instructor. Two months later, he was forwarded to the staff of the Gunnery School in AyrshireAyrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
. In early 1918, in response to his request, Findlay was posted to a fighter squadron assignment with 88 Squadron, then forming at RAF Kenley
RAF Kenley
The former Royal Air Force Station Kenley, more commonly known as RAF Kenley was a station of the Royal Flying Corps in World War I and the RAF in World War II. It is located near Kenley, London, England.-History:...
. The squadron took its new Bristol F.2 Fighter
Bristol F.2 Fighter
The Bristol F.2 Fighter was a British two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft of the First World War flown by the Royal Flying Corps. It is often simply called the Bristol Fighter or popularly the "Brisfit" or "Biff". Despite being a two-seater, the F.2B proved to be an agile aircraft...
s to France in April 1918. Findlay scored his first victory on 30 July 1918, driving a Pfalz D.III
Pfalz D.III
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gray, Peter and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. London: Putnam, 1962. ISBN 0-93385-271-1.* Grosz, Peter M. Pfalz D.IIIa . Berkhamsted, Herts, UK: Albatros Publications, 1995. ISBN 0-94841-425-1.* Guttman, Jon. Balloon-Busting Aces of World War 1 ...
down out of control. Then, on 6 August, he scored the first of thirteen consecutive wins over Fokker D.VII
Fokker D.VII
The Fokker D.VII was a German World War I fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz of the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. Germany produced around 3,300 D.VII aircraft in the summer and autumn of 1918. In service, the D.VII quickly proved itself to be a formidable aircraft...
s, the Germans' newest fighter. On 11 August, he scored a quadruple victory, burning two Fokkers and driving two down. He ended his tally on 30 October 1918, with a double victory. In summary, he destroyed eleven enemy airplanes, setting six of them on fire; he also drove down three more out of control, all without his plane taking a single bullet hole.
Aerial victory was not Findlay's only contribution to his country's war effort; he also helped raid enemy aerodromes. He also experimented with wireless telegraphy between airplanes.
Post World War I
Findlay emerged from the war a captain, and decided to remain in the RAF. He went on to command of 9 Squadron, and of RAF Hyton. He was promoted from Flying OfficerFlying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
to Flight Lieutenant
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
on 30 June 1923. On 30 June 1931, he was promoted from Flight Lieutenant to 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...
. His promotion from 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...
to Wing Commander
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
took place 1 April 1937) He was awarded the Air Force Cross on 9 June 1938. Promotion to Group Captain
Group Captain
Group captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above wing commander and immediately below air commodore...
came on 1 September 1940. He retired in 1941 as a Group Captain, but returned to be re-employed for another five years.
Honors and awards
Text of citation for Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)Lieut. (A./.Capt.) Charles Findlay. (FRANCE)
On 29 October this officer led his flight with the greatest dash and determination against a hostile formation of about fifty machines. Reinforced by six more machines—making a total of twelve in all—he fought his patrol against the enemy's overwhelming numbers for upwards of half-on-hour, but the enemy being continuously reinforced he was eventually forced to withdraw. Cleverly extricating his formation he retired across the lines, our only casualties being one pilot and one observer wounded. The enemy lost heavily, five machines being shot down in flames (one by Capt. Findlay), four destroyed and six driven down out of control.