Stearne Tighe Edwards

Infobox Military Person
name= Stearne Tighe Edwards


caption=
born=13 February 1893
died=22 November 1918
placeofbirth= Ontario
placeofdeath=
nickname=
allegiance=George V [Canadian airmen were required to complete an Attestation Paper in which they declared an oath of allegiance to King George the Fifth and agreed to serve in any arm of the service for the duration of the war between Great Britain and Germany. [http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/canada/attestation/index.php aerodrome.com] ]
branch=Royal Naval Air Service, Royal Air Force
serviceyears=
rank=Captain
unit=No. 2 Squadron RNAS, No. 6 Squadron RNAS, No. 11 Squadron RNAS, No. 9 Squadron RNAS/No. 209 Squadron RAF
commands=
battles=
awards=Distinguished Service Cross & Bar
relations=
laterwork=

Stearne Tighe Edwards DSC & Bar (13 February 1893 - 22 November 1918) was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 17 victories. [www.theaerodrome.com]

Text of citations

Distinguished Service Cross

"Act. Flt Cdr. Stearne Tighe Edwards, R.N.A.S.In recognition of his services on the following occasions: —

On the 3rd September, 1917, with his flight he attacked a two-seater Aviatik. The enemy machine was observed to go down in a vertical nose dive, and the enemy observer was seen to collapse in tne cockpit. On the 21st September, 1917, he drove a two-seater enemy machine down out of control. On the 23rd September, 1917, he attacked an Albatross scout, which crashed into the sea. On the same date he attacked three Albatross scouts. One got on the tail of another officer's machine at very close range, shooting him up very badly. Flt. Cdr. Edwards attacked him from above, and the enemy machine turned on its back and went down in a vertical dive. He followed the enemy machine down to 8,000 feet, when its wings came off, and it fell to the ground."

Distinguished Service Cross - Bar

"Lieut. (tempy. Capt.) Stearne Tighe Edwards, D.S.C., R.A.F.For conspicuous bravery and most brilliant leadership of fighting patrols against enemy aircraft. On 2 May 1918, whilst leading a patrol of four scouts, he encountered a hostile formation of eight enemy scouts and drove down one enemy machine completely out of control. Soon afterwards, he engaged another formation of six enemy scouts, driving down one to its destruction whilst his patrol accounted for another. He only broke off the fight owing to lack of ammunition. He has destroyed or driven down out of control many enemy machines since he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, and has at all times shown the greatest gallantry and a fine offensive spirit."

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