Sydney Carlin (RAF officer) facts for kids

Sydney "Timbertoes" Carlin was a brave British pilot and soldier. He was born in 1889 and passed away on May 9, 1941. Sydney Carlin became a famous "flying ace" during World War I, which means he shot down many enemy aircraft. What makes his story even more amazing is that he achieved this after losing a leg in battle. Later, he returned to serve in the Royal Air Force during World War II, working as an air gunner during the Battle of Britain.

Early Life and First Steps

Sydney Carlin was born in Kingston upon Hull, a city in Yorkshire, England. His father, William Carlin, worked with chemicals and dyes. By 1901, Sydney was living away from home, attending a small private school in a village called Soulby.

In 1908, Sydney joined the army, becoming a soldier with the 18th Hussars. However, he decided to leave the army in December 1909. He paid £18 to buy himself out of his service. A couple of years later, in 1911, he was working on a farm in Yorkshire.

World War I Heroics

Just over a year after Britain joined World War I, Sydney Carlin rejoined the army on August 8, 1915. The army even gave him back half of the money he had paid to leave before. He served in Belgium with the 18th Royal Hussars. For his bravery, he received the Distinguished Conduct Medal in August 1915. He was then promoted to an officer, first as a second lieutenant in September 1915, and then as a lieutenant in May 1916.

Losing a Leg, Gaining a Medal

In 1916, during a fierce battle called the Battle of Longueval/Delville Wood on the Somme, Sydney Carlin was in charge of a group of soldiers from the Royal Engineers. They were defending a trench against many attacks from German forces. During this intense fighting, he lost one of his legs. For his incredible courage and leadership in this action, he was awarded the Military Cross in October.

Becoming a Flying Ace

Amazingly, after recovering from his injury, Sydney Carlin joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1917. This was the air force before it became the Royal Air Force. He first worked as an instructor, teaching others how to fly. In May 1918, he joined No. 74 Squadron RAF, where he flew S.E.5A planes. It was here that he earned his famous nickname, "Timbertoes," because of his artificial leg.

Sydney Carlin became a "flying ace," a pilot who shoots down five or more enemy aircraft. He was especially good at shooting down enemy observation balloons, earning him the title of "balloon buster." He shot down five balloons and also destroyed four enemy airplanes, plus one more that he forced down out of control. His amazing achievements in the air earned him another important award, the Distinguished Flying Cross.

In August 1918, Lieutenant Carlin was promoted to temporary captain. In September, he was involved in a mid-air crash with his commanding officer, Major Keith Caldwell, but luckily, Sydney was not badly hurt.

On September 21, Carlin's plane was shot down over Hantay by a German pilot, and he became a prisoner of war. He was released and returned home in December 1918. He officially left the military in August 1919 due to his health issues from the war.

Life Between the Wars

After the war, in 1924, Sydney Carlin was promoted to squadron leader. However, he soon left Britain and traveled to Mombasa, Kenya. He was listed as an "agriculturist," meaning he planned to work in farming. He spent several years farming in Kenya.

From 1931 to 1935, he also served as a justice of the peace for the Kisumu-Londiani District in Kenya. This role meant he helped keep law and order in the area.

World War II Service and Final Days

When World War II began, Sydney Carlin rejoined the Royal Air Force on July 27, 1940. He was given the rank of probationary pilot officer. By September 1940, he was officially a pilot officer. He served as an air gunner, flying in Boulton Paul Defiant aircraft with No. 264 Squadron RAF and later No. 151 Squadron RAF. An air gunner operates guns from an aircraft to defend it from enemy planes. He also went on some unofficial missions as an air gunner with another squadron.

Sadly, Sydney Carlin was injured during an enemy bombing raid at RAF Wittering on May 7-8, 1941. He passed away in Peterborough on May 9, 1941, from his injuries. He is remembered at the Hull Crematorium.