Gordon Duncan (aviator)
Encyclopedia
Flight Commander Gordon Metcalfe Duncan DFC (25 March 1899 – 7 December 1941) was a Scottish flying ace
of the Royal Flying Corps
in World War 1.
Early life
Born in Edinburgh, the son of John Duncan and his wife Isabel Graham née Gibson, he was educated at The Lees School in Cambridge and later at Edinburgh University.
World War 1
On turning eighteen, Duncan joined the Royal Flying Corps on 20 June 1917 as a Second Lieutenant, and carried out his training with 28 Training Squadron.
He was posted to 60 Squadron
, where his first patrol on 10 April 1918 ended with him being forced to land behind the lines. Two months later, on 19 June 1918 he was injured when a mechanical problem again forced him down.
Flying the S.E.5a fighter he gained eight victories in just twenty eight days. Five of these were in August 1918 during the decisive Battle of Amiens
and a further three in the first week of September.
On joining 56 Squadron on 15 September 1918 he was promoted from Captain to Flight Commander.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
in December 1918, the citation being “A courageous fighter and skilful leader who has accounted for seven enemy aeroplanes. On 5th September [1918], when on escort duty, he attacked a formation of five Fokker biplanes; one of these he engaged at close range and it was seen to break up in the air; he then drove down a second out of control.”
Post war life
Duncan returned to Scotland to study Civil Engineering at the University of Edinburgh. He married Augusta Mildred Durran on 8 December 1929, and had two daughters and a son.
He had a successful career as a civil engineer in Kent, but returned to Edinburgh at the outbreak of war in 1939. Following a period of ill health with Brights Disease he died on 7 December 1941.
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...
of 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 World War 1.
Early life
Born in Edinburgh, the son of John Duncan and his wife Isabel Graham née Gibson, he was educated at The Lees School in Cambridge and later at Edinburgh University.
World War 1
On turning eighteen, Duncan joined the Royal Flying Corps on 20 June 1917 as a Second Lieutenant, and carried out his training with 28 Training Squadron.
He was posted to 60 Squadron
60 Squadron
60 Squadron or 60th Squadron may refer to:Aviation squadrons :*No. 60 Squadron RAF, a unit of the Royal Air Force*No. 60 Squadron RAAF, a unit of the Royal Australian Air Force*60 Squadron SAAF, a unit of the South African Air Force...
, where his first patrol on 10 April 1918 ended with him being forced to land behind the lines. Two months later, on 19 June 1918 he was injured when a mechanical problem again forced him down.
Flying the S.E.5a fighter he gained eight victories in just twenty eight days. Five of these were in August 1918 during the decisive Battle of Amiens
Battle of Amiens
The Battle of Amiens , which began on 8 August 1918, was the opening phase of the Allied offensive later known as the Hundred Days Offensive that ultimately led to the end of the First World War...
and a further three in the first week of September.
On joining 56 Squadron on 15 September 1918 he was promoted from Captain to Flight Commander.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
The Distinguished Flying Cross may refer to:*Distinguished Flying Cross , including Commonwealth countries*Distinguished Flying Cross...
in December 1918, the citation being “A courageous fighter and skilful leader who has accounted for seven enemy aeroplanes. On 5th September [1918], when on escort duty, he attacked a formation of five Fokker biplanes; one of these he engaged at close range and it was seen to break up in the air; he then drove down a second out of control.”
Post war life
Duncan returned to Scotland to study Civil Engineering at the University of Edinburgh. He married Augusta Mildred Durran on 8 December 1929, and had two daughters and a son.
He had a successful career as a civil engineer in Kent, but returned to Edinburgh at the outbreak of war in 1939. Following a period of ill health with Brights Disease he died on 7 December 1941.