- David Coke
-
Not to be confused with persons named David Cooke.Not to be confused with persons named David Koch (sometimes pronounced "Coke").
David Arthur Coke Born 4 December 1915
NorfolkDied 9 December 1941 (aged 26)
Killed in Action LibyaAllegiance United Kingdom Service/branch 
Royal Air ForceYears of service 1939-1941 Rank Flight Lieutenant Battles/wars - Battle of Britain
- Balkans Campaign
- Syrian campaign
Awards Distinguished Flying Cross The Honourable David Arthur Coke (pronounced "Cook" /ˈkʊk/), DFC (1915–1941) was a Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force Reserve during the Second World War, and is considered a flying ace, being credited with 2 destroyed, 2 probables and 2 damaged.[1] He was known in popular culture for his friendship with the author Roald Dahl whilst serving in the Royal Air Force.
Contents
Background
The second son of Thomas Coke, 4th Earl of Leicester and Marion Gertrude Trefusis, he was godson of King Edward VIII. He was a graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge,[2]
World War II
Coke joined the RAFVR in June 1939 and attended 5 OTU in April 1940. Coke was promoted to the rank of Acting Pilot Officer on 3 September 1940.[3] By August 1940 he flew a Hawker Hurricane with No. 257 Squadron RAF during the Battle of Britain as a Pilot Officer. He was involved in an incident on 12 August 1940 when his Hurricane (P3776) was badly shot up over the Channel off Portsmouth. His finger was amputated and the aircraft was repaired and used again.[4] Posted to 46 Squadron in December 1940, Coke then was then promoted to the rank of Flying Officer,[5] He went on to fight in the Balkans Campaign with No. 33 Squadron and the Syrian campaign with No. 80 Squadron RAF. During this period, he became great friends with famed author Roald Dahl, as detailed in Dahl's autobiography Going Solo.
While serving in Libya, Coke was awarded the DFC for his work in an attack on enemy transport and for his leadership as a Flight Lieutenant[6]
Flight Lieutenant The Hon. David Arthur COKE (73042), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 80 Squadron (since missing).
This officer participated in an attack on enemy transport on the El-Adem-Acroma road one day in November, 1941, in which a large number of vehicles, tanks and mechanised transport were bombed and machine-gunned. The damage inflicted played a very large part in the blocking of the road. By his skill and leadership, Flight Lieutenant Coke contributed materially to the success achieved. In addition to the low flying machine-gunning operations which have been carried out, Flight Lieutenant Coke has led the squadron with great success in air combat. During an engagement 2 days later, the squadron shared in the destruction of 5 Messerschmitt 109's.He was killed in action by enemy Bf 109s in Acroma, Cyrenaica, Africa on Tuesday 9 December 1941, aged 26, and buried at Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya (Ref. B.A. 3. B. 18).[7][8]
References
- ^ "Those Other Eagles"; C. Shores , 2004, page 111
- ^ Burke's Peerage, 1939, "Leicester."
- ^ London Gazette: no. 34986. p. 6399. 5 November 1940. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
- ^ http://www.the-battle-of-britain.co.uk/pilots/Co-pilots.html#CokeDA
- ^ London Gazette: no. 35335. p. 6376. 4 November 1941. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
- ^ London Gazette: no. 34986. p. 7298. 5 November 1940. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
- ^ http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Norfolk/Holkham.html
- ^ http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2096371
Bibliography
Categories:- 1915 births
- 1941 deaths
- Royal Air Force officers
- The Few
- British World War II pilots
- Royal Air Force personnel of World War II
- Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
- British military personnel killed in World War II
- Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge
- Younger sons of earls
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