Edwin Swale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edwin Swale
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|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Eddie |
| Born | 28 June 1899 Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England |
| Died | 19 July 1978 (aged 79) Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England |
| Buried |
Spital Cemetery, Chesterfield
(53°13′57″N 1°24′59″W / 53.23250°N 1.41639°W) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Navy Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1917–1919 1939–1954 |
| Rank | Wing Commander |
| Unit | No. 12 (Naval) Squadron No. 10 (Naval) Squadron/210 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front World War II |
| Awards | Order of the British Empire Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar |
| Other work | Businessman, Alderman, and Mayor of Chesterfield (1953) |
Wing Commander Edwin Swale was a brave pilot from England. He was a "flying ace" in World War I. This means he shot down many enemy planes. He won 17 air battles! Most of his wins were against a tough German plane called the Fokker D.VII. He was the best Sopwith Camel pilot in his squadron.
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Early Life and School Days
Edwin Swale was born in Chesterfield, England, on June 28, 1899. He went to Chesterfield Grammar School when he was young.
Flying in World War I
In August 1917, just after his 18th birthday, Edwin joined the Royal Naval Air Service. This was the navy's air force. He trained to be a pilot.
In March 1918, he joined a squadron to fly the Sopwith Camel. This was a famous single-seat fighter plane. Soon after, the Royal Naval Air Service joined with the Army's air force. Together, they formed the Royal Air Force (RAF). Edwin's unit became No. 210 Squadron RAF.
Edwin's First Victories
Edwin got his first air victory on May 30, 1918. He destroyed an enemy fighter plane. A few days later, he destroyed an observation balloon. These balloons were used by the enemy to spot troops.
He kept winning air battles. In July, he took down two Fokker D.VII fighters. These were the best German fighter planes. He shot down another Fokker D.VII on July 22.
Becoming a Flying Ace
Edwin became a true flying ace in August and September. He shot down three more Fokker D.VIIs in August. Then, he destroyed five more in September! He was made a flight commander, which meant he led a group of planes.
On October 1, he shot down two more Fokker D.VIIs. His last victory was on October 8. He sent another Fokker D.VII down in flames. In total, he had 17 victories!
Awards for Bravery
Edwin was very brave. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on November 2, 1918. This award was for his skill and success as a pilot.
Just a month later, he received a bar to his DFC. This meant he got the award a second time! The award was for his courage in leading his patrol against many enemy planes.
Edwin had a few close calls during the war. On April 11, 1918, his plane crashed during a bad weather landing. He was not hurt. On September 17, 1918, his plane was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire. Again, he was safe.
List of Aerial Victories
| No. | Date/Time | Aircraft/ Serial No. |
Opponent | Result | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 May 1918 @ 1130 |
Sopwith Camel (D3392) |
Pfalz D.III | Destroyed | West of Armentières |
| 2 | 5 June 1918 @ 1000 |
Sopwith Camel (D3392) |
Balloon | Destroyed | Estaires |
| 3 | 17 June 1918 @ 0800 |
Sopwith Camel (D9613) |
Albatros D.V | Destroyed | South-east of Zillebeke Lake |
| 4 | 20 July 1918 @ 0945 |
Sopwith Camel (D9613) |
Fokker D.VII | Out of control | South-east of Ostend |
| 5 | Fokker D.VII | Out of control | |||
| 6 | 22 July 1918 @ 1755 |
Sopwith Camel (D9613) |
Fokker D.VII | Destroyed | South of Ostend |
| 7 | 1 August 1918 @ 1925 |
Sopwith Camel (D9675) |
Fokker D.VII | Out of control | North of Lille |
| 8 | 11 August 1918 @ 0930 |
Sopwith Camel (D9675) |
Fokker D.VII | Destroyed | West of Roeselare |
| 9 | 15 August 1918 @ 1620 |
Sopwith Camel (D9675) |
Fokker D.VII | Destroyed | South-east of Bruges |
| 10 | 1 September 1918 @ 1830 |
Sopwith Camel (E4406) |
Fokker D.VII | Out of control | East of Ypres |
| 11 | 3 September 1918 @ 1830 |
Sopwith Camel (E4406) |
Fokker D.VII | Destroyed | Kortrijk |
| 12 | 6 September 1918 @ 1835 |
Sopwith Camel (E4406) |
Fokker D.VII | Destroyed | West of Ostend |
| 13 | 24 September 1918 @ 1440 |
Sopwith Camel (D3332) |
Fokker D.VII | Destroyed | South of Sint-Pieters-Kapelle |
| 14 | 29 September 1918 @ 0800 |
Sopwith Camel (F3116) |
Fokker D.VII | Destroyed | Kortemark |
| 15 | 1 October 1918 @ 1710–1715 |
Sopwith Camel (D3332) |
Fokker D.VII | Destroyed | South-east of Roeselare |
| 16 | Fokker D.VII | Out of control | Roeselare | ||
| 17 | 8 October 1918 @ 0920 |
Sopwith Camel (D3332) |
Fokker D.VII | Destroyed in flames | 4 miles (6.4 km) North-east of Roeselare |
Life Between the Wars
After World War I, Edwin went back to Chesterfield. He joined his family's clothing business. He also served on the local council from 1927 to 1933. A council member is called an alderman.
Edwin loved flying. He became an instructor at a gliding club. He even held the club's record for flying highest, at 7,000 feet! He also took part in gliding contests.
Serving in World War II
When World War II started, Edwin joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve again. He helped with important tasks. He worked with a secret group called "Ultra". They cracked the German Enigma machine code. This was a very important job that helped the Allies win the war.
He also served with the RAF Second Tactical Air Force. He received more awards for his service. By the end of the war, he was an acting wing commander.
After the Wars
After World War II, Edwin went back to his business in Chesterfield. He continued to be active in his community. He served on the Borough Council again from 1946 to 1977. In 1953, he became the Mayor of Chesterfield. His father had also been mayor in 1932.
Edwin kept his love for flying. He competed in gliding contests even in 1949. He stayed in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve until 1954. He kept the rank of wing commander.
He received more honors for his work. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1958. Then, he became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1964. In 1966, he was made an Honorary Freeman of Chesterfield. This is a special honor given by a town.
A school in Chesterfield was named after him, called Edwin Swale Secondary School. It was later renamed.
Edwin Swale passed away in 1978. He is buried in Spital Cemetery in Chesterfield.
Edwin's Family
Edwin had an older brother, Arthur. Arthur was killed in World War I in 1918. He was serving in the army.
Edwin married Dorothy Asquith in 1921. They had a son named Duncan. Duncan also served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during World War II. He was also a pilot and received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Edwin's daughter, Margaret, also loved flying. She was part of the same gliding club as her father. She even appeared in a short film about flying called Wings For Pauline.
