Dennis Latimer
| Dennis Latimer | |
|---|---|
| Born |
31 August 1895 Withington, Shropshire, England |
| Died |
12 Jan 1976 London |
| Buried at | London |
| Allegiance | British Empire |
| Service/branch | Royal Flying Corps |
| Awards | Military Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross |
Captain Dennis Latimer was a World War I flying ace notable for achieving 28 aerial victories, all against enemy fighter planes.[1]
Early Life
Dennis Latimer was born in Withington, England to James D. and Ida L. Latimer.[1]
Military Service
He was assigned to Number 20 Squadron Royal Flying Corps as a pilot flying a Bristol F.2B two-seat fighters in early 1918.[2]
On 13 March 1918, teamed with observer/gunner Lieutenant James John Scaramanga, he scored his first victory, which was the only one he scored in the Royal Flying Corps.
After the Royal Air Force was founded on 1 April, Latimer went on to 27 more victories. His observer/gunner for victories 2 to 22 was Lieutenant Tom Cecil Noel, and his final victories were with Sergeant Arthur Ernest Newland as observer. All three of these observers became aces in their own right.
On 22 August 1918, Latimer was flying again with Noel, when they were shot down by Leutnant Willi Nebgen of Jagdstaffel 7. Noel was killed and Latimer was captured.[1] Latimer's final total claimed in conjunction with his gunners was 1 aircraft captured, 17 aircraft destroyed (including one shared victory), and 10 'out of control' wins (2 shared).[3]
Awards and decorations
- Military Cross awarded for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on offensive patrol. He and his observer in four days' fighting destroyed 7 enemy machines and drove down three. They did magnificent service."[4]
- Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation was: "When leading an offensive patrol this officer displayed great skill and bravery. Having shot down a scout in flames, he immediately engaged a second, which he destroyed after a short combat. In addition, he has accounted for four other machines."[5]
References
- 1 2 3 http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/latimer.php
- ↑ Guttman, pp 49, 50
- ↑ 'Above the Trenches' page 233
- ↑ Supplement to the London Gazette. 16 September 1918.
- ↑ Supplement to the London Gazette. 21 September 1918.
- Bristol F2 Fighter Aces of World War 1. Jon Guttman. Osprey Publishing, 2007. ISBN 1-84603-201-6, ISBN 978-1-84603-201-1.