David Coke
David Arthur Coke | |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 December 1915 Norfolk, England, UK |
| Died | 9 December 1941 (aged 26) Killed in action, Libya |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |  Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1939–1941 |
| Rank | Flight lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
The Honourable David Arthur Coke DFC, (/ˈkʊk/ KUUK;[nb 1] 4 December 1915 – 9 December 1941) was a flight lieutenant in the Royal Air Force Reserve during the Second World War, and is credited with 2 destroyed, 2 probables and 2 damaged aircraft during his service.[1] He is known in popular culture for his friendship with the author Roald Dahl while serving in the Royal Air Force.[2]
Background
The second son of Thomas Coke, 4th Earl of Leicester and Marion Gertrude (née Trefusis), Coke was godson of King Edward VIII. He was a graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge,[3]
World War II
Coke joined the RAFVR in June 1939 and attended 5 OTU in April 1940. He was promoted to the rank of acting pilot officer on 3 September 1940.[4] 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 English Channel off Portsmouth. His finger was amputated and the aircraft was repaired and used again.[5] Posted to 46 Squadron in December 1940, Coke was then promoted to flying officer.[6]
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.[2]
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[7]
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).[8][9]
Notes
- ^ The family name was pronounced in the same way as the name "Cook"
References
- ^ Those Other Eagles by C. Shores (2004), p. 111.
- ^ a b Roald Dahl (2 February 2012). Going Solo. Penguin Books Limited. ISBN 978-0-14-196533-8.
- ^ Burke's Peerage, 1939 ("Leicester").
- ^ "No. 34986". The London Gazette. 5 November 1940.
- ^ http://www.the-battle-of-britain.co.uk/pilots/Co-pilots.html#CokeDA
- ^ "No. 35335". The London Gazette. 4 November 1941.
- ^ "No. 34986". The London Gazette. 5 November 1940.
- ^ Profile, roll-of-honour.com; accessed 5 April 2014.
- ^ Profile, cwgc.org; accessed 5 April 2014.
Bibliography
- Profile, thepeerage.com; accessed 5 April 2014.
- 1915 births
- 1941 deaths
- People from Norfolk
- Royal Air Force officers
- The Few
- Royal Air Force pilots of World War II
- Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
- British military personnel killed in World War II
- Aviators killed by being shot down
- Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge
- Younger sons of earls
- Coke family