Edwin Cole (RAF officer)
Edwin Stuart Travis Cole | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 December 1895 Bristol, England |
| Died | 1984 (aged 88–89) |
| Service | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1916–1918 1939–1954 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Unit | No. 60 Squadron RFC No. 1 Squadron RFC |
| Awards | Military Cross |
| Other work | Served during Second World War. |
Squadron Leader Edwin Stuart Travis Cole MC (26 December 1895 – 1984) was a British World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.[1] He returned to military service in 1939 for the Second World War.
Early life
[edit]Edwin Stuart Travis Cole was born in Bristol, England on 26 December 1895, to Ruben and Jessie Cole. He became a mechanical engineer.[1]
World War I service
[edit]Cole was awarded Aviator's Certificate No. 2160 on Caudron biplanes at the Ruffy-Baumann School at Hendon.[2][3] He was commissioned as a probationary second lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps on 29 April 1916,[4] was appointed a flying officer on 21 July,[5] and was confirmed in his rank in August.[6] On 15 September 1916, having been assigned to No. 60 Squadron RFC to fly a Nieuport fighter, he scored his first victory.[1][7]
Reassigned to No. 1 Squadron RFC, he once again flew a Nieuport. He triumphed twice in March 1917, and four times during Bloody April, including two observation balloons. On 1 May 1917, he and fellow ace Frank Sharpe captured a German Albatros D.III fighter at Roulers-Elverdinghe,[1] receiving promotion to lieutenant the same day.[8] Following this, Cole was withdrawn from action.[7]
On 6 July 1918 he was promoted to the temporary rank of captain.[9]
World War II service
[edit]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.[10] On 21 March 1939, he was commissioned as a pilot officer on probation in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.[11] On 31 August 1939, he was confirmed as a pilot officer and promoted to flying officer.[12]
Apparently unfit for flight duty, on 27 May 1940 he was transferred to General Duties.[13] On 27 May 1941, he was promoted to flight lieutenant.[14] On 1 July 1944, he was once again promoted, this time to temporary squadron leader.[15]
Post World War II
[edit]On 10 February 1954, Cole relinquished his reserve commission, with permission to retain the rank of squadron leader.[16]
Edwin Stuart Travis Cole died in 1984 in Wiltshire, England.[1]
Honours and awards
[edit]- Military Cross
- 2nd Lt. Edwin Stewart Travis Cole, Royal Flying Corps (Special Reserve)
- 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.[17]
References
[edit]- Notes
- ^ a b c d e "Edwin Stuart Travis Cole". The Aerodrome. 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
- ^ "Aviator's Certificates". Flight. VII (865): 1017. 24 December 1915. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ "1915 Aviators Certificates". Graces Guide. 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
- ^ "No. 29575". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 May 1916. p. 4649.
- ^ "No. 29710". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 August 1916. p. 8110.
- ^ "No. 29707". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 August 1916. p. 8008.
- ^ a b Franks (2000), p. 10.
- ^ "No. 30112". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 June 1917. p. 5502.
- ^ "No. 30793". The London Gazette. 12 July 1918. p. 8203.
- ^ "Tenancy agreement DA39/154/10 (1939)". Gloucestershire Archives: Online Catalogue. 2014. Archived from the original on 23 December 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
- ^ "No. 34611". The London Gazette. 21 March 1939. p. 2099.
- ^ "No. 34721". The London Gazette. 31 October 1939. p. 7276.
- ^ "No. 34870". The London Gazette. 11 June 1940. p. 3523.
- ^ "No. 35176". The London Gazette. 30 May 1941. p. 3103.
- ^ "No. 36618". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 July 1944. p. 3400.
- ^ "No. 40180". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 May 1954. p. 3064.
- ^ "No. 30135". The London Gazette (Supplement). 18 June 1917. p. 5987.
- Bibliography
- Franks, Norman (2000). Nieuport Aces of World War I. London, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-961-4.