Charles Darwin (aviator)

Charles John Wharton Darwin
Nickname Johnny
Born 12 December 1894
St. Margaret, Durham, England
Died 26 December 1941 (aged 47)
Golders Green Crematorium Middlesex, England
Allegiance England
Service/branch Flying service
Rank Major
Unit No. 27 Squadron RAF, No. 87 Squadron RAF
Awards Distinguished Service Order

Major Charles John Wharton Darwin was a First World War flying ace credited with five aerial victories.[1]

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.[2] When Major Joseph Callaghan was killed in action on 2 July 1918,[3] 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.[4]

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.[5]

Honors and awards citations

Distinguished Service Order (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)[6]

Sources of information

  1. ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/darwin.php Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  2. ^ Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. p. 133. 
  3. ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/ireland/callaghan.php Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  4. ^ Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. p. 133. 
  5. ^ Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. p. 133. 
  6. ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/darwin.php Retrieved 5 February 2010.

References

Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. Christopher F. Shores, Norman L. R. Franks, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1990. ISBN 0-948817-19-4, 9780948817199.