Hiram Frank Davison
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Hiram Frank Davison was a Canadian-born World War I flying ace
credited with 11 official aerial victories.
on 7 January 1916, he gave his profession as traveling salesman and his next of kin as his mother, Etta Davison, residing in Forfar
. His father was R. J. Davison. Hiram Frank Davison's physical examination measured him as five feet nine and a half inches tall; he was described as being of medium complexion, with blue-grey eyes and brown hair.
pilot assigned to 22 Squadron when he scored his first aerial victory on 6 March 1918. With observer/gunner Josiah Lewis Morgan
manning the guns in the rear seat of the two-seated fighter, Davison drove a German Albatros D.V
down out of control over Douai
. Morgan and Davison would remain teamed for ten more victories. The next three came on 8 March, with two more Albatros D.Vs driven out of control and a Pfalz D.III
destroyed. On 13 March 1918, they set a Pfalz D.III afire over Annoeullin. From 25 through 29 March, they downed six more enemy planes. Davison's final tally was five enemy planes destroyed, and six driven down out of control.
Davison was wounded in action
on 13 April 1918.
On 29 August 1919, Davison was invalided out of the Royal Air Force.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During four days' operations, he destroyed two enemy aeroplanes and drove down two out of control, while his observer destroyed one and drove down another out of control. He also assisted other members of his squadron in destroying enemy machines. He showed splendid courage and leadership, and set an excellent example to his comrades.
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 11 official aerial victories.
Enlistment
When Davison enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary ForceCanadian Expeditionary Force
The Canadian Expeditionary Force was the designation of the field force created by Canada for service overseas in the First World War. Units of the C.E.F. were divided into field formation in France, where they were organized first into separate divisions and later joined together into a single...
on 7 January 1916, he gave his profession as traveling salesman and his next of kin as his mother, Etta Davison, residing in Forfar
Forfar
Forfar is a parish, town and former royal burgh of approximately 13,500 people in Angus, located in the East Central Lowlands of Scotland. Forfar is the county town of Angus, which was officially known as Forfarshire from the 18th century until 1929, when the ancient name was reinstated, and...
. His father was R. J. Davison. Hiram Frank Davison's physical examination measured him as five feet nine and a half inches tall; he was described as being of medium complexion, with blue-grey eyes and brown hair.
Aerial service
Davison was a Bristol F.2 FighterBristol 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...
pilot assigned to 22 Squadron when he scored his first aerial victory on 6 March 1918. With observer/gunner Josiah Lewis Morgan
Josiah Lewis Morgan
Lieutenant Josiah Lewis Morgan was a Welsh flying ace in the Royal Air Force. He was credited with 12 official victories during World War I. He served as an observer/gunner for Hiram Frank Davison for all but one of his victories.-World War I:...
manning the guns in the rear seat of the two-seated fighter, Davison drove a German 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....
down out of control over Douai
Douai
-Main sights:Douai's ornate Gothic style belfry was begun in 1380, on the site of an earlier tower. The 80 m high structure includes an impressive carillon, consisting of 62 bells spanning 5 octaves. The originals, some dating from 1391 were removed in 1917 during World War I by the occupying...
. Morgan and Davison would remain teamed for ten more victories. The next three came on 8 March, with two more Albatros D.Vs driven out of control and 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 ...
destroyed. On 13 March 1918, they set a Pfalz D.III afire over Annoeullin. From 25 through 29 March, they downed six more enemy planes. Davison's final tally was five enemy planes destroyed, and six driven down out of control.
Davison was wounded in action
Wounded in action
Wounded in action describes soldiers who have been wounded while fighting in a combat zone during war time, but have not been killed. Typically it implies that they are temporarily or permanently incapable of bearing arms or continuing to fight....
on 13 April 1918.
On 29 August 1919, Davison was invalided out of the Royal Air Force.
Reference
- Guttman, Jon. Bristol F2 Fighter Aces of World War I: Volume 79 of Aircraft of the Aces; Volume 79 of Osprey Aircraft of the Aces. Jon Guttman. Osprey Publishing, 2007. ISBN 1846032016, 9781846032011
Honors and awards
T./2nd Lt. Hiram Frank Davison, R.F.C.For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During four days' operations, he destroyed two enemy aeroplanes and drove down two out of control, while his observer destroyed one and drove down another out of control. He also assisted other members of his squadron in destroying enemy machines. He showed splendid courage and leadership, and set an excellent example to his comrades.