Charles Davidson (RAF officer) facts for kids

Charles Robert Davidson (born 1896, died 1936) was a brave Scottish pilot. He was a flying ace during World War I. This means he shot down at least five enemy aircraft. Charles Davidson achieved six aerial victories in total. He was also awarded the Military Cross for his bravery.

Biography

Becoming a Pilot in World War I

Charles Davidson started his military career in 1914. He joined the Highland Light Infantry as a young officer. In 1916, he moved to the Royal Flying Corps. This was the early version of the RAF. He first worked as an observer in planes. Later, in 1917, he became a flying officer, meaning he could pilot planes.

Davidson was sent to the Middle East with No. 14 Squadron. He got his first victory there on September 23, 1917. He was flying a Vickers Bullet when he forced an enemy plane down.

He then joined No. 111 Squadron, a new fighter unit. On October 4, he scored his second victory. He used a two-seater Bristol F.2 Fighter for this and four more wins. These victories happened between December 17 and 29, 1917. For one win, fellow ace Frederick John Knowles helped by manning the rear guns.

In total, Davidson forced three enemy planes to land and be destroyed. He also forced three others down out of control. He left 111 Squadron in January 1918.

Awarded the Military Cross

Charles Davidson was wounded in February 1918. He was promoted to lieutenant in March 1918. In April, he received the Military Cross for his amazing courage.

The award recognized his brave actions. He once forced an enemy plane to land. Then, he flew low, despite heavy gunfire, and stopped one of the enemy crew. On other occasions, he forced enemy planes down. Once, even with a fractured ankle from a bullet, he landed his plane safely.

Life After the War

After World War I, on August 1, 1919, Davidson joined the RAF permanently. He became a flight lieutenant in 1923.

He was sent to No. 20 Squadron in India in 1923. Later, he worked at the RAF Headquarters in India. He even took part in a conflict called Pinks War in Waziristan. He received a special medal, the India Star, for this.

In 1928, he returned to the UK. He was posted to RAF Depot, Uxbridge. In 1929, he joined No. 4 Squadron. He was promoted to squadron leader in 1931.

Davidson was a good golfer too! He was part of the RAF team that beat the Army in a golf championship in 1931. He then served in Jerusalem at the headquarters of RAF Transjordan and Palestine. Finally, in 1934, he became a flying instructor at No. 2 Flying Training School at RAF Digby.

His Final Flight

Sadly, Charles Davidson died at RAF Digby on May 21, 1936. He was flying a special plane he had built himself. It was called a Mignet HM.14 "Flying Flea." This plane was designed to be cheap and easy to build for hobby pilots.

However, the "Flying Flea" had a serious design problem. If the pilot pushed the nose down to avoid a stall, the plane could go into an uncontrollable dive. Charles Davidson was the third British pilot to die in a "Flying Flea" crash within a month. Because of these dangers, the aircraft was eventually banned in the UK.

Squadron Leader Davidson is buried at the Church of the Holy Cross in Scopwick, Lincolnshire.

Personal Life

Charles Davidson was married to Doris Davidson (whose maiden name was Heilbron). Doris did not remarry after Charles's death.