Llewelyn Davies (aviator)
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Llewelyn Crichton Davies was a Welsh World War I flying ace
credited with five verified aerial victories.
Llewelyn Crichton Davies was a Second lieutenant
in the Scottish Rifles early in World War I. He enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps
in 1915.
He served with 22 Squadron as an observer/gunner on a Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b reconnaissance plane; he was posted as a Second lieutenant
, with seniority of 9 February 1917. He was lightly wounded on 11 March 1917. While paired with Carleton Main Clement
on morning formation patrol, he destroyed enemy Albatros D.III
fighters on 6 and 8 April 1917, although they were shared with several squadronmates, including Gerald Gordon Bell
. On 5 June, Davies and Clement destroyed an Albatros D.V
and drove a second one down out of control. On 29 June, having upgraded to a Bristol F.2 Fighter
, Davies and Clement shot down another German plane, thought to be that of Kurt Schneider, Staffelführer
of Jasta 5. Schneider later died of wounds received in this action.
Davies was promoted to Lieutenant in the Scottish Rifles effective 1 July 1917. After receiving the Military Cross, Davies returned to Home Establishment in England. In November, he was reassigned to 105 Squadron.
On 13 March 1918, Davies was mortally injured in the crash of Airco DH.4 serial number B5495, and died three days later. Davies is buried at Penton Mewsey Churchyard in Hampshire, England.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with five verified aerial victories.
Llewelyn Crichton Davies was a Second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in the Scottish Rifles early in World War I. He enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
in 1915.
He served with 22 Squadron as an observer/gunner on a Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b reconnaissance plane; he was posted as a Second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
, with seniority of 9 February 1917. He was lightly wounded on 11 March 1917. While paired with Carleton Main Clement
Carleton Main Clement
Captain Carleton Main Clement MC was a Canadian First World War flying ace officially credited with 14 victories despite being handicapped by flying an obsolete plane.-Early life and service:...
on morning formation patrol, he destroyed enemy Albatros D.III
Albatros D.III
The Albatros D.III was a biplane fighter aircraft used by the Imperial German Army Air Service and the Austro-Hungarian Air Service during World War I. The D.III was flown by many top German aces, including Manfred von Richthofen, Ernst Udet, Erich Löwenhardt, Kurt Wolff, and Karl Emil Schäfer...
fighters on 6 and 8 April 1917, although they were shared with several squadronmates, including Gerald Gordon Bell
Gerald Gordon Bell
Gerald Gordon Bell DFC was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 16 victories.During 1917 Bell flew as an observer/gunner with No. 22 Squadron, claiming 3 victories. After training as a pilot, Bell was sent to Greece to fly scouts with 47 Squadron and 150 Sqn.-List of...
. On 5 June, Davies and Clement destroyed an Albatros D.V
Albatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
and drove a second one down out of control. On 29 June, having upgraded to a Bristol F.2 Fighter
Bristol F.2 Fighter
The Bristol F.2 Fighter was a British two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft of the First World War flown by the Royal Flying Corps. It is often simply called the Bristol Fighter or popularly the "Brisfit" or "Biff". Despite being a two-seater, the F.2B proved to be an agile aircraft...
, Davies and Clement shot down another German plane, thought to be that of Kurt Schneider, Staffelführer
Staffelführer
Staffelführer was one of the first paramilitary ranks used by the German Schutzstaffel in the early years of that group’s existence...
of Jasta 5. Schneider later died of wounds received in this action.
Davies was promoted to Lieutenant in the Scottish Rifles effective 1 July 1917. After receiving the Military Cross, Davies returned to Home Establishment in England. In November, he was reassigned to 105 Squadron.
On 13 March 1918, Davies was mortally injured in the crash of Airco DH.4 serial number B5495, and died three days later. Davies is buried at Penton Mewsey Churchyard in Hampshire, England.