Claud Stokes
Not to be confused with Claude Stokes.
| Claud Harry Stokes | |
|---|---|
| Born |
16 March 1884 London, England |
| Died |
7 November 1918 (aged 34) Belgium |
| Buried at | Erquelinnes, Belgium |
| Allegiance | England |
| Service/branch | Aviation |
| Years of service | 1916 - 1918 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | No. 57 Squadron RAF |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
Captain Claud Harry Stokes DFC (16 March 1884 - 7 November 1918) was a British First World War flying ace credited with five aerial victories, all while flying the Airco DH.4.[1] He is also notable for being the last fighter ace killed before the war's end, having been shot down by anti-aircraft fire on 7 November 1918.[2]
Somewhat ironically, his daughter, Margaret, would marry a German living in South Africa, Hanns Scharff who, after being stranded back in Germany due to the outbreak of the Second World War, wound up becoming famous as the chief interrogator for the German Luftwaffe, responsible for interrogating important prisoners, such as fighter aces.