Dudley Lloyd-Evans facts for kids

Dudley Lloyd-Evans was a brave soldier and pilot from Wales. He was born in 1895 and passed away in 1972. He fought in both the First World War and the Second World War. He started as a soldier and earned a special award for his bravery. Later, he became a pilot and was known as a "flying ace" because he shot down many enemy planes. He continued to serve in the Royal Air Force until the end of the Second World War.

Dudley Lloyd-Evans: A War Hero

Dudley Lloyd-Evans showed great courage throughout his military career. He received several important awards for his actions.

Serving in the First World War

Dudley Lloyd-Evans began his military journey in 1914. He joined the South Wales Borderers, which was an infantry (foot soldier) regiment. In December 1916, he was awarded the Military Cross. This award is given for bravery during battle.

Later, Lloyd-Evans joined the Royal Flying Corps, which was the air force at the time. In 1918, he became a pilot with No. 64 Squadron. He flew a type of plane called the Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a. He started achieving victories in the sky in May 1918.

Becoming a Flying Ace

A "flying ace" is a pilot who has shot down five or more enemy aircraft. Dudley Lloyd-Evans became one of these skilled pilots.

• On May 31, 1918, he destroyed a German Albatros D.V fighter plane.
• He shot down another enemy plane, a Fokker D.VII, on July 25, 1918.
• On August 21, he destroyed another plane.
• Two days later, he took down a two-seater LVG reconnaissance plane.
• On September 3, he drove down a Fokker D.VII, making it his fifth victory. This made him a flying ace!
• He continued to score, driving down another Fokker D.VII on September 5.
• His final victories happened on September 18, 1918, when he destroyed one Fokker D.VII and forced another one down.

For his amazing flying skills and bravery, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross. This award was officially announced after the war ended.

Between the World Wars

After the First World War, Dudley Lloyd-Evans continued his service in the Royal Air Force (RAF). He became a permanent officer. In 1921, he earned a "Bar" to his Distinguished Flying Cross. This means he received a second award for bravery. He earned it for a daring rescue mission in a place called Mesopotamia. He landed his plane in a dangerous area to pick up two officers whose plane had crashed.

He continued to rise through the ranks in the RAF. In 1925, he was promoted to flight lieutenant. By 1937, he had become a squadron leader.

Second World War and Retirement

When the Second World War began, Dudley Lloyd-Evans continued to serve. On June 1, 1940, he was promoted to the rank of temporary Wing Commander. He served until September 1945, when he retired. He kept the rank of Wing Commander.

Dudley Lloyd-Evans passed away on March 20, 1972, in Cheltenham, England. He was buried in Boddington, Gloucestershire.

Awards and Recognition

Dudley Lloyd-Evans was recognized for his bravery and skill with several important military awards:

• Military Cross

  This award was given to him for his bravery as a soldier. He showed great courage in wiring an enemy line and leading an attack.

• Distinguished Flying Cross

  He received this for his outstanding work as a pilot. He was known for his determination and courage in air battles, having shot down six enemy planes.

• Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross

  This second award was for an incredibly brave rescue. He landed his plane in a dangerous area to save two fellow officers whose plane had crashed. He managed to take them both in his already full plane and fly them to safety.