Lieutenant Darrell Joseph Tepoorten Query

[epsomgreen]

Greetings from a newly-registered member.

On 7 May, I purchased a British War Medal 1914-20, officially impressed to "Lieut. D. J. Teeporten R.A.F.", at the Ohio Civil War Show in Mansfield. Hitting the archives when I returned home, I gleaned quite a bit about Tepoorten – from training officer in Texas, to pilot with William Barker and 66 Squadron on the Italian Front.





Whereas "Tepoorten" is correct, his surname is also spelt Teeporten and Teepoorten in the R.A.F. Lists, AIR 76/499/105, and AIR 76/499/2. Through this forum, I learned Tepoorten shared a victory with Augustus Paget. Additionally, contemporary Canadian newspapers describe Tepoorten as an ace (one credits him with 10 enemy aircraft and an observation balloon). However, I have not been able to substantiate any of the press hyperbole, and his name appears in Above the Lines only in connection to his co-victory with Paget.

Grand Forks Gazette, Friday, May 16, 1919:



Photo of Tepoorten appearing in The Daily Province, Saturday, July 11, 1925 (the ribbons appear to be for the Italian War Merit Cross and War Medal):



I am hoping some generous soul will point me in the right direction regarding the true number of victories to which Tepoorten is entitled.

Thank you in advance.

Cheers,

Charles