SECTION UNDER CONSTRUCTION
No. 57 Squadron produced an unusual number of “Aces” for a Photographic Reconnaissance and Low Level Bombing squadron.
Pilot “Aces”
Pilot | 57 Sqn Victories | Note |
Capt WE Green DFC | 9 | |
Maj EG Joy DFC | 7 | plus 1 with 205 Sqn |
Capt AT Drinkwater DFC | 6 | plus 3 with 40 Sqn |
Sergt DE Edgley | 6 | |
Capt DS Hall MC | 6 | |
Capt A MacGregor DFC | 6 | |
Capt L Minot MC | 6 | |
Capt HR Harker MC | 5 | |
Capt CH Stokes DFC | 5 | |
Capt F McD C Turner DFC | 5 | plus 2 with 55 Sqn |
Capt A Roulstone MC | 2 | plus 6 with 25 Sqn |
A number of the squadrons Observer/Gunners also became “Aces”.
Observer/Gunner | 57 Sqn Victories | Note |
Sergt J Grant DFM | 8 | all with 57 Sqn |
Lieut F Leathley MC | 8 | all with 57 Sqn |
Lieut AF Britton MC CdeG | 6 | all with 57 Sqn |
Lieut FTS Menendez MC | 6 | all with 57 Sqn |
2nd Lt FG Craig | 5 | all with 57 Sqn |
2nd Lt EP Hartigan | 5 | all with 57 Sqn |
2nd Lt LLT Sloot | 5 | all with 57 Sqn |
“ACE” PILOTS
Captain William Edward “Bill” Green DFC, born 20 October 1898 in Ipswich. He joined the Royal Flying Corps in June 1917, confirmed as Second Lieut in August 1917 and flew with No. 57 Squadron from September 1917. His 8th victory was gained after his aircraft was badly shot up by a Fokker biplane. Promoted Temp/Captain on 2 July 1918. Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross [London Gazette 3 December 1918]. Posted to RAF Biggin Hill in March 1918 and left the RAF 22 Feb 1919.
Victory | in DH4 | Enemy Aircraft | Location |
06/01/1918 | A7904 | Albatros DV | Lichtervelde |
24/01/1918 | A2161 | Fokker DrI | NW Roulers |
24/01/1918 | A2161 | Albatros DV | NW Roulers |
03/02/1918 | A7674 | Albatros DV | Menin |
31/03/1918 | A7904 | Pfalz DIII | Bapaume |
10/08/1918 | D9262 | Fokker DVII | Bray-Personne |
10/08/1918 | D9262 | Fokker DVII | Bray-Personne |
29/08/1918 | D9262 | Fokker DVII | Ytres |
19/09/1918 | D8419 | Fokker DVII | Havrincourt |
Major Ernest Graham (Graham) Joy DFC, born 2 November 1891 in Alabama, USA. A lawyer in Toronto/Canada he enlisted in the Canadian Army on 24 July 1915 and by March 1916 was a Major with 74th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force. Joy transferred to the RFC on 23 April 1917 and served briefly with 49 and 23 Squadrons in April and May 1917 before joining 57 Squadron in July 1917. On 17 August 1917 his aircraft was shot up bombing Courtrai but he was unhurt. He always flew with Lieut F Leathley. On 21 August 1917 he was posted back to England but in September 1918 returned to France with 205 Squadron gaining 1 further victory (4 Nov 1918) and flying 12 bombing raids before the war ended. His DFC was finally awarded in 1919. Post-war he practiced law in Canada, served in the Canadian Army in WW2 and died in Toronto on 21 June 1993.
Victory | in DH4 | Enemy Aircraft | Location |
28/07/1917 | A7537 | Albatros DV | Ingelmunster |
28/07/1917 | A7537 | Albatros DV | Ingelmunster |
16/08/1917 | A7563 | Albatros DV | Houthulst |
17/08/1917 | A7563 | Albatros DV | Menin |
17/08/1917 | A7563 | Albatros DV | Menin |
17/08/1917 | A7563 | Albatros DV | W Menin |
20/08/1917 | A7564 | Albatros DV | E Ypres |
04/11/1918 | DH9a | Fokker DVII | Mauberge |
Captain Arthur Thomas Drinkwater DFC, born 3 February 1894 in Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. He joined the Royal Flying Corps in Nov 1916 as a Cadet, being commissioned on 17 March 1917 as a Probationary Second Lieut. He joined 57 Squadron on 19 July 1917 and served with the squadron until returning to England to convert to fighter pilot. He was posted to 40 Squadron as a Flight Commander 18 Aug 1918 and gained 3 further victories. From 10 Jan 1919 he was a Captain on No. 2 Brigade Staff. His Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded later [London Gazette 3 June 1919]. Lived in Bendigo/Victoria. Died 2 July 1970 on holiday in Queensland. All of his victories with No. 57 Squadron were gained with Observer/Gunner Lieut FTS Menendez.
Victories | in DH4 | Enemy Aircraft | Location |
18/08/1917 | A2138 | Albatros DV | Courtrai |
20/08/1917 | A2132 | Albatros DV | Houthulst Forest |
21/09/1917 | A7581 | Albatros DV | Dadizeele |
21/09/1917 | A7581 | Albatros DV | Dadizeele |
21/11/1917 | A7424 | Albatros DV | SE Houthulst |
12/11/1917 | A7424 | Albatros DV | SE Houthulst |
17/08/1918 | 40 Sqdn | Fokker Dvii | SE Cambrai |
01/10/1918 | 40 Sqdn | Halberstadt C | N Cambrai |
09/10/1918 | 40 Sqdn | Fokker Dvii | NE Cambrai |
99978 Sergeant Denis Edwin Edgley of Northampton, born 5 Aug 1899 enlisted in the RFC direct from full time education on 3 October 1917 as Air Mechanic 3rd class only weeks after his 18th birthday. He was appointed Acting Sergeant (unpaid) while undergoing flying training in January 1918 and on 20 March 1918 was graded 1st Class Pilot, promoted to Sergeant (paid). On 25 June 1918 joined 57 Squadron in France. He was brought down twice by German fighters, on 8 August 1918 and on 1 September 1918, his Observer Sergt Norman Sandison being wounded on the second occasion (awarded Distinguished Flying Medal [London Gazette 3 June 1919]).. Edgley served with the squadron until 3 November 1918 when he returned to England. He was released from the RAF after his wartime service and married in 1927, by 1939 he was sub-editor of a local newspaper living in West Bridgford/ Nottingham. Died October 1987 in Northampton. It is surprising that he did not receive the Distinguished Flying Medal when his Observer did.
Victories | in DH4 | Enemy Aircraft | Location |
08/08/1918 | D8382 | Fokker DVII | Moislains |
29/08/1918 | D8382 | Fokker DVII | Marquion |
01/09/1918 | D8382 | Fokker DVII | Cambrai |
01/09/1918 | D8382 | Fokker DVII | Cambrai |
05/09/1918 | F5828 | Fokker DVII | Marcoing |
16/09/1918 | F5828 | Fokker DVII | Havrincourt Wood |