David Tidmarsh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Mary Tidmarsh
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| Born | 28 January 1892 Limerick, Ireland |
| Died | 27 November 1944 (aged 52) Dublin, Ireland |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1915–1920 1939–1944 |
| Rank | Squadron leader |
| Unit | Royal Irish Regiment No. 24 Squadron RFC No. 48 Squadron RFC |
| Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front World War II |
| Awards | Military Cross |
David Mary Tidmarsh (born January 28, 1892 – died November 27, 1944) was a brave pilot from Ireland. He became a "flying ace" during World War I, also known as the First World War. This means he shot down at least five enemy planes. David Tidmarsh was officially credited with seven victories in the air. He was a Squadron leader in the Royal Flying Corps.
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About David Mary Tidmarsh
David Mary Tidmarsh was born in Limerick, Ireland. His father, also named David, was a merchant. His mother was Elizabeth Murray. David had a brother, John Moriarty Tidmarsh. Sadly, John died in a flying accident in 1918. He was also a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps.
World War I Adventures
David Tidmarsh joined the army in 1915. Soon after, he moved to the Royal Flying Corps, which was the air force at the time. He started learning to fly in August 1915. By October, he had earned his pilot's license. In January 1916, he officially became a flying officer.
First Victories in the Sky
Tidmarsh was sent to No. 24 Squadron. On April 2, 1916, he achieved his first victory. He was flying an Airco DH.2 plane. He destroyed a German Albatros plane. Both German pilots died in the crash.
A few weeks later, on April 25, Tidmarsh was flying again. He was protecting other planes. He saw a German Fokker Eindekker fighter. He chased it, and the Fokker's wings broke off in the air. This was his second victory. On May 20, 1916, he set another enemy plane on fire. This was his third victory.
Awarded for Bravery
Because of his courage, David Tidmarsh received the Military Cross award. This award is given for bravery in battle. The award praised his "conspicuous gallantry and skill." It mentioned how he attacked enemy aircraft many times. One time, he dived at an enemy plane and made it crash.
Prisoner of War
After his award, Tidmarsh went on leave. He then became an instructor for new pilots. In March 1917, he returned to combat. He joined No. 48 Squadron. He flew the new Bristol F.2 Fighter. Between April 8 and 11, he helped his squadron win four more victories.
However, on April 11, 1917, something went wrong. After destroying two more planes, Tidmarsh's plane was shot down. He was shot down by a famous German pilot named Kurt Wolff. David Tidmarsh became a prisoner of war. He stayed a prisoner until the war ended. He returned home in December 1918. He left the Royal Air Force in 1919.
David Tidmarsh's Aerial Victories
Here is a list of the enemy planes David Tidmarsh helped shoot down:
| No. | Date/Time | Aircraft/ Serial No. |
Opponent | Result | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 24 Squadron RFC | ||||||
| 1 | 2 April 1916 @ 0655 |
D.H.2 (5924) |
Albatros C | Destroyed | Grandcourt—Albert | Shared with Second Lieutenant S. J. Sibley. |
| 2 | 30 April 1916 @ 1045 |
D.H.2 (5965) |
Fokker E | Destroyed | Bapaume | |
| 3 | 20 May 1916 @ 0415 |
D.H.2 (5965) |
C | Destroyed in flames | South of Pozières | Shared with Captain W. A. Summers. |
| No. 48 Squadron RFC | ||||||
| 4 | 8 April 1917 | Bristol F.2a | Albatros D.III | Out of control | Rémy | Observer: Second Lieutenant C. B. Holland. Shared with Second Lieutenants O. W. Berry & F. B. Goodison. |
| 5 | 10 April 1917 | Bristol F.2a (A3338) |
Enemy Aircraft | Out of control | Rémy | Observer: Second Lieutenant C. B. Holland. Shared with Second Lieutenants G. N. Brockhurst & C. B. Boughton |
| 6 | 11 April 1917 @ 0830–0900 |
Bristol F.2a (A3338) |
Albatros D.III | Destroyed | Fampoux | Observer: Second Lieutenant C. B. Holland. Shared with Second Lieutenants G. N. Brockhurst & C. B. Boughton, R. F. Adeney & L. G. Lovell, Alan Riley & L. G. Hall. |
| 7 | Albatros D.III | Destroyed | ||||
World War II Service and Later Life
When World War II was about to begin, David Tidmarsh rejoined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. This was on August 31, 1939. He was promoted to temporary squadron leader in 1942. He left the service in January 1944 due to health reasons. David Mary Tidmarsh passed away in a nursing home in Dublin, Ireland, on November 27, 1944. His brother Gerard, who was also serving in the British Army, had died just 18 days before him.
