Charles Napier (aviator)

Charles George Douglas Napier
Born 1892
Shepherd's Bush, London, England
Died 15 May 1918
Lamotte
Arras Flying Services Memorial Pas de Calais, France
Allegiance England
Service/branch Aviation
Rank Captain
Unit No. 20 Squadron RFC, No. 48 Squadron RAF
Awards Military Cross

Contents

Early life

Charles George Douglas Napier was born in Shepherd's Bush, London, England in 1892. He would begin his military service as a private in the British Army Cyclist Corps.[1]

World War I

Second lieutenant C. G. D. Napier was appointed a Flying Officer and transferred to the General List of the Royal Flying Corps on 23 September 1917.[2] He then served with 20 Squadron in late 1917 before transferring to 48 Squadron in early 1918. He scored his first aerial victory while with them, on 7 February 1918. He would run his total to nine wins,[3] rounding off his tally with a triple victory on 9 May 1918; he and his gunner Walter Beales were also shot down during this action, though without injury.[4] Six days later, he was killed in action, shot down along with his gunner of the day. On 12 June, the Germans verified Napier's death. Ten days later, his award of the Military Cross was gazetted,[5] as follows:

"....On one occasion during a low-flying bombing attack he descended to a height of 100 feet and dropped four bombs amongst a body of enemy troops, causing heavy casualties and scattering the enemy in all directions. Later, whilst on offensive patrol, he observed an enemy two-seater and two scouts. He fired twenty rounds at the two-seater, with the result that it crashed, and then attacked one of the scouts, which turned over completely, and finally went down in a vertical nose dive. In all he has to his credit two enemy machines crashed and four driven down out of control. He has displayed the greatest judgment, determination and daring."[6]

List of aerial victories

See also Aerial victory standards of World War I

No. Date/time Aircraft Foe Result Location Notes
1 7 February 1918 approximately 0600 hours Bristol F.2b Fighter LVG reconnaissance plane Destroyed Le Catelet Napier's gunner/observer was J. M. J. Moore
2 8 March 1918 approximately 0600 hours Bristol F.2 Fighter DFW reconnaissance plane Set afire; destroyed Saint-Quentin Napier's gunner/observer was J. M. J. Moore
3 8 March 1918 approximately 0600 hours Bristol F.2 Fighter LVG reconnaissance plane Driven down out of control Napier's gunner/observer was J. M. J. Moore
4 16 March 1918 approximately 0600 hours Bristol F.2 Fighter Albatros D.III Driven down out of control Napier's gunner/observer was J. M. J. Moore
5 27 March 1918 @ 1120 hours Bristol F.2 Fighter serial number C4886 Reconnaissance plane Destroyed Southwest of Roye Napier's gunner/observer was J. M. J. Moore
6 27 March 1918 @ 1120 hours Bristol F.2 Fighter s/n C4886 Pfalz D.III Driven down out of control Southwest of Roye Napier's gunner/observer was J. M. J. Moore
7 9 May 1918 @ 1540 hours Bristol F.2 Fighter s/n C4750 Fokker Triplane Driven down out of control Wiencourt-l'Équipée-Mericourt Napier's gunner/observer was Walter Beales
8 9 May 1918 @ 1540 hours Bristol F.2 Fighter s/n C4750 Fokker Triplane Driven down out of control Wiencourt-Mericourt Napier's gunner/observer was Walter Beales
9 9 May 1918 @ 1540 hours Bristol F.2 Fighter s/n C4750 Fokker Triplane Driven down out of control Wiencourt-Mericourt Napier's gunner/observer was Walter Beales[7]

Reference

Endnotes

  1. ^ http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=4396491&queryType=1&resultcount=1 Retrieved 3 September 2011.
  2. ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 18 October 1917, p. 10682. http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30339/supplements/10682 Retrieved 3 September 2011.
  3. ^ Franks, et al, p. 288.
  4. ^ Guttman, p. 16.
  5. ^ Franks, et al, p. 288.
  6. ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 22 June 1918, p, 7419. http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30761/supplements/7419 Retrieved 3 September 2011.
  7. ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/napier1.php Retrieved 29 August 2011.
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