Ernest Morrow (aviator)

variously Ernest Thomas Morrow of Ernest Theophilus Morrow
Born	21 January 1897 Waubaushene, Ontario, Canada
Died	20 July 1949 Waubaushene, Canada
Allegiance	Canada
Service/branch	Aviation
Years of service	1917-1919
Rank	Captain
Unit	No. 62 Squadron RFC/No. 62 Squadron RAF
Awards	Distinguished Flying Cross

Captain Ernest Morrow was a Canadian flying ace during World War I. He was credited with seven aerial victories while flying a Bristol F.2 Fighter. His military career was cut short by a severe wounding that cost him his left lower leg, while earning him a Distinguished Flying Cross for valour.

Ernest Morrow was born on 21 January 1897 in Waubaushene, Canada. the son of Elizabeth Ward and Joseph Morrow. He was living in Toronto and working as an accountant at the time of his enlistment into military service.

Morrow enlisted during May 1917. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps on 22 September 1917. He was then posted to No. 62 Squadron RFC on 30 October 1917, and shipped out to France with this unit. The haste with which he was commissioned and posted indicates that he took at least some of his aviation training during the Summer of 1917.

He scored his first aerial victory on 26 March 1918. After scoring three wins, he was hospitalized for a short while beginning 29 June 1918. He returned to winning form on 10 August 1918, driving down two German Pfalz D.III fighters to become an ace.

Morrow's final sortie is vividly described in the award citation for his Distinguished Flying Cross:

Having crashlanded near Ficheux, France with bullet wounds to the leg, Morrow was dragged from the flaming wreckage by his observer, Louis Mark Thompson. Morrow's left lower leg was subsequently amputated.

Both Thompson and Morrow were recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross. The latter's award was gazetted on 2 November 1918, well after his 5 September medical evacuation to England.

...
Wikipedia