Stearne Tighe Edwards

Stearne Tighe Edwards, DSC & Bar (13 February 1893 – 22 November 1918) was a Canadian flying ace of the First World War, officially credited with 17 victories. He was seriously injured in a crash the day after Armistice Day, and died from his injuries 10 days later.[1]

Stearne Tighe Edwards
Born(1893-02-13)13 February 1893
Ontario, Canada
Died22 November 1918(1918-11-22) (aged 25)
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Naval Air Service
Royal Air Force
Years of service1915–1918
RankCaptain
UnitNo. 2 Squadron RNAS
No. 6 Squadron RNAS
No. 11 Squadron RNAS
No. 9 Squadron RNAS/No. 209 Squadron RAF
Battles/warsFirst World War
AwardsDistinguished Service Cross & Bar

Awards

Distinguished Service Cross

Edwards' Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for a series of actions.

  • Bringing down a two-seater Aviatik on 3 September 1917
  • Driving "a two-seater enemy machine down out of control" on 21 September 1917
  • An Albatross scout which crashed into the sea on 23 September 1917. And bringing down another on the same day.

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.[2]

References

  1. http://www.theaerodrome.com
  2. The London Gazette 18 June 1918 Issue 30756 Page 7304
  • "WWI Aces of Canada: Stearne Edwards". www.theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 21 June 2008.
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