Christopher McEvoy, DFC (2 February 1899 – 12 October 1953) was a British aviator and flying ace, credited with nine aerial victories during the First World War.
Christopher McEvoy | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 January 1899 Hendon, Middlesex, England |
| Died | 12 October 1953 (aged 54) Dorking, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | British Army Royal Flying Corps |
| Rank | Flight Lieutenant |
| Unit | No. 66 Squadron RAF No. 37 (Home Defence) Squadron RAF |
| Battles / wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
| Relations | Sir Theodore McEvoy (brother) |
Early life
editChristopher McEvoy was born in Cricklewood, North London on 2 February 1899. He was the first-born son of The Reverend Cuthbert McEvoy and his wife Margaret.[1][2]
First World War
editWhen old enough, McEvoy joined the Royal Flying Corps. In January 1918, he was assigned to No. 66 Squadron in Italy as a pilot. He was slightly wounded the following month, and hospitalized for a short while. On 30 March 1918, he scored his first aerial victory; by 1 August, he had run his tally of victories to nine. Illness then removed him from the cockpit; he was medically evacuated back to England with dysentery. After recovery, he served in No. 37(Home Defence) Squadron.[1] He was awarded Distinguished Flying Cross, gazetted on 23 September 1918:
A gallant pilot who has destroyed six enemy machines in a few months. He displays great determination in his attacks in high or low flying, and in bombing attacks over the enemy's lines.[3]
List of aerial victories
edit| No. | Date/time | Aircraft | Foe | Result | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 March 1918 @ 1315 hours | Sopwith Camel serial number B7389 | Albatros D.III | Driven down out of control | Monte Melatta | |
| 2 | 4 April 1918 @ 0920 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n B7389 | Albatros D.III | Set afire; destroyed | Cismon del Grappa | |
| 3 | 17 April 1918 @ 1420 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n B7389 | Albatros D.III | Destroyed | South of Giacomo | |
| 4 | 26 May 1918 @ 0615 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n B7353 | Reconnaissance plane | Destroyed | Salina | Victory shared with Harold Koch Boysen |
| 5 | 21 June 1918 @ 0805 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n B5180 | Albatros D.V | Driven down out of control | Feltre | |
| 6 | 4 July 1918 @ 0815 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n D8235 | Pfalz D.III | Set afire; destroyed | Northwest of Asiago | |
| 7 | 21 July 1918 @ 1915 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n B2433 | Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Motta di Livenza | |
| 8 | 1 August 1918 @ 1155 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n B2433 | Albatros D.V | Destroyed | South of Mareno-C Tron | |
| 9 | 1 August 1918 @ 1210 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n B2433 | Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Fontaneletto[2][1] |
Second World War and beyond
editMcEvoy returned to service in the Second World War, being appointed a temporary pilot officer on probation on 1 September 1939.[4] He served in the rank of flight lieutenant as a codes officer for RAF Coastal Command.[1] It seems likely he got in some cockpit time, as he was still serving as a pilot officer when he surrendered his commission because of illness on 7 September 1940.[5]
Christopher McEvoy died at Dorking, England on 12 October 1953 following a prolonged illness.[1][6]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Shores, Christopher; Franks, Norman; Guest, Russell (1990). Above the Trenches : A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces, 1915–1920. Grub Street. pp. 272–273. ISBN 978-0919195110.
- ^ a b "Christopher McEvoy". The Aerodrome. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
- ^ "No. 13325". The Edinburgh Gazette. 23 September 1918. p. 3535.
- ^ "No. 34694". The London Gazette. 26 September 1939. pp. 6507–6508.
- ^ "No. 34945". The London Gazette. 13 September 1940. p. 5495.
- ^ "Death". The Aeroplane. Vol. 85. Temple Press. 1953. p. 584. Retrieved 19 January 2018.