Hawker VC RFC ACE by Tyrrel M. Hawker

Author:Tyrrel M. Hawker [Hawker, Tyrrel M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Military, World War I, Aviation, Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 9781473829640
Google: HhRxBQAAQBAJ
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2013-08-14T03:36:15+00:00

Lanoe could not get away for a week-end, and even his Sunday afternoon off had to be paid for.

“14.12.15.

Something always seems to turn up on a week-end. Rather a trying one last time, as my nice arrangements for organizing a certain job were not properly carried out by my officers.

I didn’t have time to inspect it myself, and the colonel did. Bit of a rumpus in consequence. However, nothing very serious and I think it has passed off already.”

Lanoe gathered his young pilots in the office, and in his quiet, serious way explained to them the magnitude of their crime. They fidgeted uncomfortably; they felt they could have stood more easily a “blasted ticking off”, but Lanoe had no difficulty in excusing them for this lapse, as they were nearly all under twenty years of age, and at the end of his lecture, his bright smile drew them towards him. It was characteristic of him that even when he scolded his officers they ended by liking him the better for it, and they never let the squadron down again.

More officers began to arrive now, including another flight commander, Capt. R. E. A. W. Hughes-Chamberlain, who had been promoted from No. 11 Squadron (Vickers Fighters), for his excellent work in France, and he soon settled down to teaching the other pilots, including night flying. Two other officers who showed great promise at this time were 2nd Lieut. E. A. C. Archer and 2nd Lieut. S. E. Cowan, both of whom were gifted with natural flying ability.

Noel Clifton, who had been Lanoe’s observer and gunner in No. 6 Squadron, returned to England at the end of 1915 to “get his wings” (qualify as a pilot) and had been posted to the Royal Naval Air Service Station at Chingford to fly B.E.2c’s in an attempt to intercept the raiding Zeppelins. This was considered a tiresome and almost hopeless assignment.

He appealed to Lanoe, who rescued him from this unpopular task, and he became an efficient pilot in No. 24 Squadron, but unfortunately, soon after arrival in France, he was invalided home with severe asthma.

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