Edwin Cole (RAF officer)

Edwin Stuart Travis Cole
Born 26 December 1895
Bristol, England
Died Unknown
Allegiance England
Service/branch Aviation
Years of service 1915 - ca 1918, 1939 - 1954
Rank Lieutenant
Unit No. 60 Squadron RFC, No. 1 Squadron RFC
Awards Military Cross

Lieutenant Edwin Stuart Travis Cole was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.[1]

Contents

World War I service

On 14 December 1915, Cole earned Aviator's Certificate No. 2160 on Caudron Biplanes at the Ruffy-Baumann School in Hendon.[2][3] On 21 July 1916, he was appointed to the Royal Flying Corps.[4] On 15 September 1916, having been assigned to 60 Squadron to fly a Nieuport fighter, he scored his first victory.[1][5]

Reassigned to 1 Squadron, he once again used a Nieuport. He triumphed twice in March 1917, and four times during Bloody April. On 1 May 1917, he and fellow ace Frank Sharpe captured a German Albatros D.III fighter at Roulers Elverdinghe.[1] Following this, Cole was withdrawn from action.[5]

World War II service

His record lapses until 1939, when he agreed to let a garage in Downend be used for a first aid post and air raid shelter.[6] On 21 March 1939, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on probation.[7] On 31 August 1939, he was confirmed as a Pilot Officer and promoted to Flying Officer.[8]

Apparently unfit for flight duty, on 27 May 1940 he was transferred to General Duties.[9] On 27 May 1941, he was promoted to Flight Lieutenant.[10] On 1 July 1944, he was once again promoted, this time to temporary Squadron Leader.[11]

Post World War II

On 25 May 1954, Cole relinquished his commission, still serving in the rank of Squadron Leader.[12]

Honors and awards

Military Cross (MC)

2nd Lt. Edwin Stewart Travis Cole, R.F.C., Spec. Res.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion he, in a scout, attacked and brought down an enemy two-seater biplane. He has brought down two hostile balloons. He has at all times set a splendid example of courage and initiative. (Supplement to the London Gazette, 18 June 1917) (30135/5987)

Sources of information

  1. ^ a b c http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/cole2.php Retrieved on 6 March 2010.
  2. ^ http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1915/1915%20-%201053.html Retrieved on 6 March 2010.
  3. ^ http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/wiki/Aviators_Certificates_-_UK_1915 Retrieved on 6 March 2010.
  4. ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 17 August 1916) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29710/supplements/8110 Retrieved on 6 March 2010.
  5. ^ a b Nieuport Aces of World War 1. p. 10. 
  6. ^ http://ww3.gloucestershire.gov.uk/DServe/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqCmd=Show.tcl&dsqSearch=(RefNo=='DA39/1/6/5/10') Retrieved on 6 March 2010.
  7. ^ http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/issues/34611/pages/2099/page.pdf Retrieved on 6 March 2010.
  8. ^ (The London Gazette, 31 October 1939) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/34721/pages/7276 Retrieved on 6 March 2010.
  9. ^ (The London Gazette, 11 June 1940) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/34870/pages/3523 Retrieved on 6 March 2010.
  10. ^ (The London Gazette, 30 May 1941) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35176/pages/3103 Retrieved on 6 March 2010.
  11. ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 21 July 1944) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36618/supplements/3400 Retrieved on 6 March 2010.
  12. ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 25 May 1954) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/40180/supplements/3064 Retrieved on 6 March 2010.

Reference

Nieuport Aces of World War 1. Norman Franks. Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 1855329611, 9781855329614.