Euan Dickson
Encyclopedia
Euan Dickson DSC
and bar
, DFC
(31 March 1892 – 10 March 1980) was a British born New Zealander bomber pilot in the First World War. Serving with the Royal Naval Air Service
(RNAS) and subsequently the Royal Air Force
(RAF) he flew over 150 missions flying the D.H.4 aircraft. As well as flying so many bombing missions he, and his observer, was also credited with shooting down 14 enemy aircraft. After the war he returned to New Zealand and was the first person to fly across the Cook Strait
.
, Yorkshire
in 1882 and emigrated to New Zealand about 1912 taking a job with an engineering firm in Thames
on the North Island
.
he was commissioned as a Flight Sub-Lieutenant
in July 1916 and was awarded his pilot's licence, number 3966, on 12 December 1916 by the Royal Aero Club
.
Dickson was posted to 10 Squadron RNAS in March 1917 but in April was transferred to 5 Squadron RNAS. This squadron was a bomber squadron flying the Airco D.H. 4 two-seater biplane aircraft and it was in this type that Dickson flew all his combat missions. On 18 December 1917 Dickson was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
(DSC) for his part in a bombing mission.
Promoted to Temporary Flight Lieutenant
in December 1917, a bar to the DSC was won in March 1918 for coming to the aid of another aircraft which was under attack.
In April 1918, the Royal Flying Corps
and the RNAS were merged to form the Royal Air Force and 5 Squadron RNAS became 205 Squadron RAF
. Dickson continued to fly with the squadron until August 1918, earning a Distinguished Flying Cross
for his leadership,
The Croix de Guerre was also awarded to Dickson by the French Army. On leaving 205 Squadron, he was posted to a Home Establishment i.e. UK based unit, until his discharge from the RAF in November 1919.
. In later life he became chairman of the Eden Motor Company before retirement in 1964.
Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers, and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.The DSC, which may be awarded posthumously, is...
and bar
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
, DFC
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...
(31 March 1892 – 10 March 1980) was a British born New Zealander bomber pilot in the First World War. Serving with the Royal Naval Air Service
Royal Naval Air Service
The Royal Naval Air Service or RNAS was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of the First World War, when it merged with the British Army's Royal Flying Corps to form a new service , the Royal Air Force...
(RNAS) and subsequently the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
(RAF) he flew over 150 missions flying the D.H.4 aircraft. As well as flying so many bombing missions he, and his observer, was also credited with shooting down 14 enemy aircraft. After the war he returned to New Zealand and was the first person to fly across the Cook Strait
Cook Strait
Cook Strait is the strait between the North and South Islands of New Zealand. It connects the Tasman Sea on the west with the South Pacific Ocean on the east....
.
Early life
Dickson was born in SheffieldSheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
in 1882 and emigrated to New Zealand about 1912 taking a job with an engineering firm in Thames
Thames, New Zealand
Thames is a town at the southwestern end of the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand's North Island. It is located on the Firth of Thames close to the mouth of the Waihou River. The town is the seat of the Thames-Coromandel District Council....
on the North Island
North Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
.
War service
In 1916 Dickson decided to return to Britain to enlist for the war. Joining the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
he was commissioned as a Flight Sub-Lieutenant
Sub-Lieutenant
Sub-lieutenant is a military rank. It is normally a junior officer rank.In many navies, a sub-lieutenant is a naval commissioned or subordinate officer, ranking below a lieutenant. In the Royal Navy the rank of sub-lieutenant is equivalent to the rank of lieutenant in the British Army and of...
in July 1916 and was awarded his pilot's licence, number 3966, on 12 December 1916 by the Royal Aero Club
Royal Aero Club
The Royal Aero Club is the national co-ordinating body for Air Sport in the United Kingdom.The Aero Club was founded in 1901 by Frank Hedges Butler, his daughter Vera and the Hon Charles Rolls , partly inspired by the Aero Club of France...
.
Dickson was posted to 10 Squadron RNAS in March 1917 but in April was transferred to 5 Squadron RNAS. This squadron was a bomber squadron flying the Airco D.H. 4 two-seater biplane aircraft and it was in this type that Dickson flew all his combat missions. On 18 December 1917 Dickson was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers, and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.The DSC, which may be awarded posthumously, is...
(DSC) for his part in a bombing mission.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in a bombing raid on Thourout Railway Station and Varsennaere Aerodrome on the 25th October, 1917. These officers volunteered for the expedition in spite of
extremely unfavourable weather conditions. They have all previously taken part in many bombing raids.
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in December 1917, a bar to the DSC was won in March 1918 for coming to the aid of another aircraft which was under attack.
For conspicuous gallantry in attacking enemy aircraft and in carrying out bombing raids. On the 16th March, 1918, he went to the assistance of a machine of his formation which was being attacked at close quarters by twelve enemy scouts. Despite the fact that all the guns on his machine, were useless owing to lack of ammunition, he turned and charged the hostile formation,
splitting it up and diverting their attention from the other machine, thus undoubtedly saving it. On other occasions he has brought
down enemy machines and taken part in many daylight bombing raids, at all times showing utter fearlessness and great determination.
In April 1918, 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...
and the RNAS were merged to form the Royal Air Force and 5 Squadron RNAS became 205 Squadron RAF
No. 205 Squadron RAF
No. 205 Squadron was a Royal Air Force unit formed on 1 April 1918. Prior to this it had existed as No. 5 Squadron of the Royal Naval Air Service. In 1929, it became the first RAF squadron to be permanently based in Singapore, taking as its motto Pertama di Malaya . No...
. Dickson continued to fly with the squadron until August 1918, earning a Distinguished Flying Cross
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...
for his leadership,
Since 17th April, 1918, this officer has led eighty-four successful bombing raids. His leadership has been conspicuous for remarkable bravery, skill, and determination. On one raid directed, against a town in occupation by the enemy he obtained seven direct hits on the railway station and four on a dump outside. Thrice on a prior date he led his flight to attack enemy billets and horse lines, descending to low altitudes and engaging enemy troops on the ground.
The Croix de Guerre was also awarded to Dickson by the French Army. On leaving 205 Squadron, he was posted to a Home Establishment i.e. UK based unit, until his discharge from the RAF in November 1919.
Combat victories
Dickson and the observers he flew with were credited with 14 air combat victories, 2 of which were shared with other crews.| Number | Date | Observer | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 December 1917 | Air Mechanic Shaw | Albatros D.V Albatros D.V |-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X.... |
Aertrycke Airfield |
| 2 | 17 February 1918 | Air Mechanic, 1st Grade, Walter Naylor Walter Naylor Air Mechanic First Class Walter Naylor was the leading observer ace of the Royal Naval Air Service, with 14 accredited victories. He flew as an enlisted observer/gunner in Airco DH.4 bombers in 5 Naval Squadron along the English Channel.... DSM Distinguished Service Medal (United Kingdom) The Distinguished Service Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Royal Navy and members of the other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, up to and including the rank of Chief Petty Officer, for bravery and resourcefulness on active service... |
Albatros D.V | Ostend |
| 3 | 18 February 1918 | Air Mechanic, 1st Grade, Walter Naylor DSM | Albatros D.V | St. Pierre Capelle |
| 4 | 16 March 1918 | Flight Sub-Lieutenant Walter Scott | Albatros D.V | Bohain-Le Catelet |
| 5 | 18 March 1918 | Flight Sub-Lieutenant Walter Scott | Albatros D.V | Beaurevoir |
| 6 | 27 March 1918 | Flight Sub-Lieutenant Stewart | Albatros D.V | Rainecourt |
| 7 | 28 March 1918 | Flight Sub-Lieutenant Stewart | 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 ... |
Foucaucourt |
| 8 | 6 April 1918 | Serjeant Sergeant Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent.... Charles V Robinson Charles Robinson (aviator) Serjeant Charles Victor Robinson was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories. He flew on at least 100 bombing missions as an observer.-References:... DFM Distinguished Flying Medal The Distinguished Flying Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Royal Air Force and the other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active... |
Pfalz D.III | Abancourt |
| 9 | 22 April 1918 | Serjeant Charles V Robinson DFM | Fokker Dr.I Fokker Dr.I The Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker was a World War I fighter aircraft built by Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. The Dr.I saw widespread service in the spring of 1918... |
Chaulnes |
| 10 | 23 April 1918 | Serjeant Charles V Robinson DFM | Fokker Dr.I | Chaulnes |
| 11 | 3 May 1918 | Serjeant Charles V Robinson DFM | Pfalz D.III | Chaulnes-Rosières |
| 12 | 3 May 1918 | Serjeant Charles V Robinson DFM | Pfalz D.III | Chaulnes-Rosières |
| 13Shared victory | 3 May 1918 | Serjeant Charles V Robinson DFM | Pfalz D.III | Chaulnes-Rosières |
| 14 | 18 May 1918 | Serjeant Charles V Robinson DFM | Albatros D.V | Chaulnes |
Later life
In 1920 Dickson returned to New Zealand and on 25 August 1920 became the first person to fly the Cook Strait between North Island and South Island. Working for Canterbury Aviation he was the inaugural pilot of the first daily air mail service in New Zealand in 1921, a service between Auckland and TimaruTimaru
TimaruUrban AreaPopulation:27,200Extent:Former Timaru City CouncilTerritorial AuthorityName:Timaru District CouncilPopulation:42,867 Land area:2,736.54 km² Mayor:Janie AnnearWebsite:...
. In later life he became chairman of the Eden Motor Company before retirement in 1964.