Corporal Malcolm Mather was a World War I flying ace

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 eight aerial victories while flying as an observer. He manned the rear guns for fellow aces Ernest Lindup

Ernest Lindup

Lieutenant Ernest Lindup was a South African World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.Lindup scored five victories between 4 February and 31 May 1918 while flying a Bristol F.2 Fighter. His observer gunners included fellow aces M. B...

 and Wilfred Beaver

Wilfred Beaver

-Early life and ground service:After passing his childhood in his native England, Beaver sailed for Canada. His parents separated in 1911, and he was shipped off to Montreal, Canada. He was supposed to live with his uncle and study dentistry. He enlisted in the First Canadian Heavy Battery of the...

, accounting for three enemy planes destroyed and five driven down out of control.

Honors and awards

Text of citation for Distinguished Conduct Medal

20624 Cpl. M. Mather, R.F.C. (Croy Station)

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while acting as observer. He was
attacked by twelve enemy machines while
flying over the enemy's lines, and in a fight
which lasted fifteen minutes he shot down
two of the enemy out of control and drove off
the others. He undoubtedly saved his
machine by his dogged determination. He
has shown great skill and courage in many
other aerial combats.

Sources of information