Charles Robert Davidson 14, 111 Squadrons

[spad]

Does any one know if he was one of the original members of 111 Squadron?

The squadron formed in August 1917 and he is generally accredited it with it's second victory on 4 October 1917. As we know he claimed a victory on 23 September 1917. Ws he still with 14 Squadron RFC?

regards

Keith

[Graeme]

I have him with No 14 Squadron when he claimed on 23 September 1917 (Lieut Harold Easton Sheppard of the same squadron claiming at the same time on the same date) and with No 111 Squadron for his claim on 4 October.

As far as I know, No 111 Squadron was formed on 1 August from the fighter element of No 14 Squadron, so it doesn't look like he was one of the original members of No 111 Sqn.

Graeme

[josquin]

Seconding Graeme's post, Lt. Charles Robert Davidson (Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders 2Lt/Highland Light Infantry 2Lt & RFC/RAF Lt) does not appear to be with 111 Sqn when the unit was established. He was with 23 Reserve Squadron, at Aboukir, during August, 1917 and was on temporary duty with 5 Wing during the following month (when he made the 14 Sqn claim Graeme listed). By November, 1917, he was an Assistant Instructor with 111 Sqn, but he made a claim during the preceding October (as Graeme cited). Davidson had been an observer prior to his service as a pilot (attached as a Probationary Observer to 16 Sqn 6 March 1916, graded Qualified Observer 9 May 1916, appointed F.O.(Obs.) 31 May 1916). After qualifying as a pilot, he was appointed F.O. 5 June 1917 with seniority from 6 March 1917. He was awarded the M.C. on 19 April 1918.

Josquin