Charles Davidson (aviator)
| Charles Robert Davidson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1896 Scotland |
| Died | 21 May 1936 (aged 39–40) RAF Digby, Lincolnshire, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1914–1936 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Unit |
|
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Military Cross |
Squadron Leader Charles Robert Davidson MC (1896 – 21 May 1936) was a Scottish World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.
Having served as a cadet in the Officers Training Corps Davidson was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant in the Highland Light Infantry on 17 October 1914. He was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps in March 1916, initially as an observer, before being appointed a flying officer on 5 June 1917.
Davidson was posted to No. 14 Squadron in the Middle East, scoring his first victory with them, by driving down an enemy observation plane out of control at Beit Hanun on 23 September 1917, while flying a Vickers Bullet. He then transferred to No. 111 Squadron when it was founded as the fighter unit for the Middle East, and scored his second win on 4 October in a two-seater Bristol F.2 Fighter, which he also used for four more wins, between 17 and 29 December 1917. For one of these triumphs, fellow ace Frederick John Knowles manned the guns in the rear seat. Davidson's final score was three enemy planes forced to land and then destroyed, and three driven down out of control. He left 111 Squadron on 9 January 1918.
Listed as wounded on 7 February 1918, Davidson was promoted to lieutenant on 4 March 1918. In April 1918 his award of the Military Cross was gazetted, the citation reading:
On 1 August 1919 Davidson was granted a permanent commission as a lieutenant in the RAF, resigning his Army commission in the Highland Light Infantry the same day. He was promoted to flight lieutenant in the King's New Years Honours, 1 January 1923.
Davidson was posted to No. 20 Squadron, based in India, on 23 November 1923 then to the Headquarters of RAF India on 8 July 1927.
He took part in Pinks War in Waziristan.
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