- Charles C. Banks
-
Charles Chaplin Banks Nickname Sandy Born 17 December 1893
Hampstead, London, EnglandDied 1971
Lewes, Sussex, EnglandAllegiance 
United KingdomService/branch Aviation Rank Captain Unit Royal Welsh Fusiliers, No. 44 (Home Defence) Squadron, No. 43 Squadron RAF Awards Military Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross Relations Brother KIA with Royal Welsh Fusiliers; son KIA in World War II Captain Charles Chaplin Banks DFC MC (1893–1971) was a World War I flying ace credited with thirteen aerial victories. He scored a pioneering night fighter victory on 31 May 1918, when he shot down a German Friedrichshafen G bomber.[1]
Contents
Early life and service
Charles Chaplin Banks was the son of Helen Agnes and Charles P. Banks; the latter owned and taught Arnold House Preparatory School in Llanddulas, Wales. He originally joined the Fifth Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers before shifting to the Royal Flying Corps in October 1916. After pilot training, he was assigned to 44 Squadron.[2]
Aerial service
On 28 January 1918, while flying his Sopwith Camel on Home Defence duties with 44 Squadron, he teamed with Captain George Hackwill in driving down and capturing a German Gotha G.V bomber, serial no. 936/16, raiding England. The feat was worth a Military Cross.[3]
He was then forwarded to France to serve with 43 Squadron.[4] Between 6 April and 31 May 1918, he reeled off five more wins; for the last of these, he drove down and captured a Friedrichshafen G bomber at ten minutes before midnight for the first victory over this type. He would destroy three more enemy fighters by 29 August, bringing his total to nine. He then switched to the new Sopwith Snipe for his last three wins, ending his string on 30 October 1918. His final tally was two enemy planes captured, six destroyed, and four driven down out of control, although one of the latter was shared with Captain Cecil Frederick King.[5][6]
Honours and awards
Text of citation for the Military Cross (MC)
Lt. Charles Chaplin Banks, R. Welsh Fus., and R.F.C.
T./Capt. George Henry Hackwill, Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry displayed when they engaged and shot down a Gotha raiding London.
During the engagement, which lasted a considerable time, they were continually under fire from the enemy machine.[7]
Text to citation for Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Lieut. (A./Capt.) Charles Chaplin Banks, M.C. (FRANCE)
A brilliant and skilful airman who has been conspicuous for his success in aerial combats. On 30 October he, single handed, engaged five enemy aeroplanes and drove one down out of control. In the fight his aileron controls were shot away, but by skilful handling and with cool presence of mind he brought his machine back and made a successful landing. In addition to the above Capt. Banks has accounted for nine other enemy machines.[8]
Notes
- ^ Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. p. 61.
- ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/banks.php Retrieved on 15 June 2010.
- ^ Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. p. 61.
- ^ Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. p. 61.
- ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/banks.php Retrieved on 15 June 2010. His DFC was gazetted to him postwar.
- ^ Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. p. 61.
- ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 9 February 1918) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30517/supplements/1877 Retrieved on 15 June 2010.
- ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 8 February 1919) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31170/pages/2034 Retrieved on 15 June 2010.
References
- Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920 Christopher F. Shores, Norman L. R. Franks, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1990. ISBN 0-948817-19-4, 9780948817199.
Categories:- 1893 births
- 1971 deaths
- Royal Welch Fusiliers officers
- Royal Flying Corps officers
- British World War I flying aces
- Recipients of the Military Cross
- Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
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