Robert A. Little

Infobox Military Person
name= Robert Little
lived= 19 July, 1895 – death date and age|1918|5|27|1895|7|19
placeofbirth=Hawthorn, Melbourne
placeofdeath=Norviz, France


caption= Studio portrait of R. A. Little
nickname=
allegiance=Royal Naval Air Service
serviceyears=1916–1918
rank= Captain
branch=
commands=
unit=
battles=World War I
*Western Front
awards=Distinguished Service Order & Bar
Distinguished Service Cross & Bar
Mentioned in Despatches
Croix de Guerre (France)
laterwork=

Robert Alexander Little DSO & Bar, DSC & Bar (19 July, 1895–27 May, 1918) has long been regarded as the most successful Australian flying ace of World War I, with a total of 47 kills. However, some later researchers have suggested that this total was surpassed by Roderic Dallas.

Early life

Little was born on 19 July, 1895, at Hawthorn, Melbourne, to James Little, a seller of medical and surgical books, and his wife Susan (née Solomon). He was educated at Camberwell Grammar School and Scotch College, later entering the family business as a traveling salesman. [ [http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/people_little_robert.html History of War] ]

World War I service

Little applied for one of the few vacancies at Point Cook Military Flying School, and was rejected along with hundreds of others. He then decided to sail to England in July, 1915, were he paid to become a qualified pilot at his own expense. Gaining his flying certificate with the Royal Aero Club at Hendon, in October 1915. He joined the Royal Naval Air Service as a probationary temporary Sub Lieutenant on 14 January, 1916. [ [http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A100109b.htm Australian Dictionary of Biography] ]

He arrived in France in June 1916, posted to "Naval Eight" squadron. By year's end he had three victories to his credit, flying Sopwith Pups; scoring his first on 23 November. [ [http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/australi/little1.php The Aerodrome - Robert Little] ] During this time, he married Vera Gertrude Field at the Congregational Church, Dover, on 16 September 1916.

When the unit converted to Triplanes, he began scoring heavily: eight victories each in April and May; four in June; and fourteen in July, the month he began flying Sopwith Camels. When he rotated to England for rest that summer, he was credited with 38 victories, including 15 destroyed or captured.

In March 1918, Little joined Raymond Collishaw's unit, which became No. 203 Squadron of the new Royal Air Force on 1 April. He gained a further nine successes before being killed attacking a Gotha bomber on 27 May. At age 22, he left a widow and a son, having received the Distinguished Service Order and bar, [London Gazette: [http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/ViewPDF.aspx?pdf=30285&geotype=London&gpn=9537&type=ArchivedSupplementPage&all=&exact=&atleast=&similar= (Supplement) no. 30285, page 9537,] 14 September 1917] the Distinguished Service Cross [London Gazette: [http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/ViewPDF.aspx?pdf=29947&geotype=London&gpn=1649&type=ArchivedIssuePage&all=&exact=&atleast=&similar= (Supplement) no. 29947, page 1649,] 16 February 1917] and bar, [London Gazette: [http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/ViewPDF.aspx?pdf=30147&geotype=London&gpn=6256&type=ArchivedSupplementPage&all=&exact=&atleast=&similar= (Supplement) no. 30147, pages 6256 - 6257,] 22 June 1917] and the French Croix de Guerre, as well as being Mentioned in Despatches, he was one of Australia's highest decorated pilots.

Of Little's 47 victories, 24 were credited as destroyed or captured (six shared) and 23 "out of control."

Little is buried at the Wavans British Cemetery, France [ [http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2913544 Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Robert Alexander Little] ] .

References