Chester Stairs Duffus
Chester Stairs Duffus | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 March 1891 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Died | 23 February 1981 (aged 89) |
| Allegiance | Canada United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Flying Corps Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1915–1919 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | No. 22 Squadron RFC |
| Commands | No. 25 Squadron RAF |
| Awards | Order of the British Empire, Military Cross |
Major Chester Stairs Duffus OBE MC (1 March 1891 – 23 February 1981) was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.[1]
World War I service
[edit]Duffus joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1915,[1] and flew Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b pusher two-seaters for No. 22 Squadron during 1916;[2] one of his observer gunners was fellow ace Corporal Frank Johnson.[1] He scored five victories between 17 August and 11 December 1916. He survived a forced landing after his fourth win on 4 December, landing near Bapaume.[2] His last triumph was shared with fellow aces Captain Selden Long and another pilot.[1]
Duffus went on to command No. 25 Squadron.[1][2]
Post World War I
[edit]Duffus married Evelyn Giles at New Market on 21 June 1919; the union would produce a daughter, born the following year.[3]
Chester Stairs Duffus died on 23 February 1981.[4]
Honors and awards
[edit]Military Cross (MC)
2nd Lt. Chester Stairs Duffus, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous skill and gallantry in fights with hostile aircraft. On one occasion, after hard fighting, he brought down a hostile machine in flames on our side of the line. [1][5]
Sources of information
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "Chester Stairs Duffus". www.theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
- ^ a b c Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. p. 145.
- ^ "Wlliam Duffus of Banff Tree". www.duffus.com. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
- ^ "Supplement to the London Gazette". 14 November 1916. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
- ^ Supplement to the London Gazette, 14 November 1916 (29824/11051)
References
[edit]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, ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9.
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