Christopher McEvoy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Christopher McEvoy
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|---|---|
| Born | 2 January 1899 Hendon, Middlesex, England |
| Died | 12 October 1953 (aged 54) Dorking, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army Royal Flying Corps |
| Rank | Flight Lieutenant |
| Unit | No. 66 Squadron RAF No. 37 (Home Defence) Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
| Relations | Sir Theodore McEvoy (brother) |
Christopher McEvoy, DFC (2 February 1899 – 12 October 1953) was a British aviator and flying ace, credited with nine aerial victories during the First World War.
Early life
Christopher McEvoy was born in Cricklewood, North London on 2 February 1899. He was the first-born son of The Reverend Cuthbert McEvoy and his wife Margaret.
First World War
When old enough, McEvoy joined the Royal Flying Corps. In January 1918, he was assigned to No. 66 Squadron in Italy as a pilot. He was slightly wounded the following month, and hospitalized for a short while. On 30 March 1918, he scored his first aerial victory; by 1 August, he had run his tally of victories to nine. Illness then removed him from the cockpit; he was medically evacuated back to England with dysentery. After recovery, he served in No. 37(Home Defence) Squadron. He was awarded Distinguished Flying Cross, gazetted on 23 September 1918:
A gallant pilot who has destroyed six enemy machines in a few months. He displays great determination in his attacks in high or low flying, and in bombing attacks over the enemy's lines.
List of aerial victories
| No. | Date/time | Aircraft | Foe | Result | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 March 1918 @ 1315 hours | Sopwith Camel serial number B7389 | Albatros D.III | Driven down out of control | Monte Melatta | |
| 2 | 4 April 1918 @ 0920 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n B7389 | Albatros D.III | Set afire; destroyed | Cismon del Grappa | |
| 3 | 17 April 1918 @ 1420 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n B7389 | Albatros D.III | Destroyed | South of Giacomo | |
| 4 | 26 May 1918 @ 0615 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n B7353 | Reconnaissance plane | Destroyed | Salina | Victory shared with Harold Koch Boysen |
| 5 | 21 June 1918 @ 0805 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n B5180 | Albatros D.V | Driven down out of control | Feltre | |
| 6 | 4 July 1918 @ 0815 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n D8235 | Pfalz D.III | Set afire; destroyed | Northwest of Asiago | |
| 7 | 21 July 1918 @ 1915 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n B2433 | Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Motta di Livenza | |
| 8 | 1 August 1918 @ 1155 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n B2433 | Albatros D.V | Destroyed | South of Mareno-C Tron | |
| 9 | 1 August 1918 @ 1210 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n B2433 | Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Fontaneletto |
Second World War and beyond
McEvoy returned to service in the Second World War, being appointed a temporary pilot officer on probation on 1 September 1939. He served in the rank of flight lieutenant as a codes officer for RAF Coastal Command. It seems likely he got in some cockpit time, as he was still serving as a pilot officer when he surrendered his commission because of illness on 7 September 1940.
Christopher McEvoy died at Dorking, England on 12 October 1953 following a prolonged illness.
