| Walter Macfarlane Carlaw | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 March 1899 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | Unknown |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Aviation |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | No. 70 Squadron RAF |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
Captain Walter Macfarlane Carlaw DFC was a Scottish-born flying ace who served during World War I. He was credited with 12 confirmed aerial victories.
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Walter Macfarlane Carlaw was the son of Walter and Jeannie Carlaw of Blythwood in Glasgow, Scotland.[1]
Carlaw was posted to 70 Squadron in early 1918. His first success came three days after his nineteenth birthday, on 11 March 1918; he was one of four pilots credited with destroying a German observation balloon over Menen, Belgium. He shared the win with Frank Granger Quigley, Alfred Michael Koch, and Kenneth Seth-Smith. The following day, 12 March 1918, he singlehandedly drove down an Albatros D.V out of control.[2]
By the time he next scored, on 29 July 1918, he had been appointed Flight Commander. His destruction that day of an Albatros D.VII began a string of ten triumphs over the new advanced German fighter plane. By the time he ended his tally on 14 October 1918, he had destroyed seven Fokker D.VIIs and driven down three others out of control.[3]
Carlaw was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, which was gazetted after the war's end, on 3 December 1918.[4]
Carlaw returned to the colors during World War II, being commissioned into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on 28 November 1941.[5]
A bold and skilful fighter who has accounted for five enemy machines—two in one engagement, which occurred on 31st July.[6]