Cecil Marchant

Captain Cecil James Marchant was an English flying ace during World War I. He was credited with nine aerial victories.

Early life

Cecil James Marchant was born in London, England on 15 July 1895. He enlisted in the British Army when he was 18 years old.^[1]

World War I

Marchant served about 18 months in the trenches in the early stages of World War I. He then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps.^[2] On 28 July 1916 second lieutenant C. J. Marchant of the Middlesex Regiment was appointed a Flying Officer, as was customary at graduation from pilot training. He was transferred to the General List of the Royal Flying Corps.^[3]

After training, his first assignment was as a Sopwith Pup pilot in 46 Squadron in early 1917. That combat tour ended in June.^[4]

On 1 January 1918, Marchant was promoted to temporary captain while serving as a Flight Commander.^[5] He returned to 46 Squadron in February 1918. He scored his first aerial victory on 22 March, and ran his tally to nine over the next 45 days. He was awarded the Military Cross, gazetted on 22 June 1918.^[6]

His award citation for his Military Cross appeared in Flight magazine, on 27 June 1918. It read:

"....He, with two other pilots of his squadron, bombed a freight train from a height of 50 ft., three trucks being derailed. Again, on a later occasion he, with five other pilots, bombed and fired at a column of enemy transport with such good effect that three-quarters of the personnel became casualties and most of the vehicles were destroyed. Whilst on a low bombing reconnaissance during the recent operations he brought down two hostile two-seater machines out of control and shot down a third, in flames. He has at all times displayed marked gallantry and resource."^[7]

On 2 July 1918, Marchant was severely enough wounded to require removal from combat duty for hospitalization.^[8]

He was temporarily appointed as a 3rd Class Staff Officer originally on 6 October 1918^[9] and again on 10 February 1919.^[10] On 20 March 1919, he was appointed as an Adjutant; this time, he was an acting captain, though drawing pay and allowances as a lieutenant.^[11]

List of aerial victories

See also Aerial victory standards of World War I

Post World War I

Marchant worked in his family's business postwar. He was also a prime mover in organizing squadron reunions.^[13]

Cecil James Marchant died on 30 May 1965.^[14]

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 Franks, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1990. ISBN 0-948817-19-4, ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9.

Endnotes