Lot Essay
O.B.E. London Gazette 3.6.1935.
M.C. London Gazette 27.10.1917 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in taking part in twenty-nine air flights, in which he has destroyed seven hostile machines'.
Group Captain Clive Alexander Brewster-Joske, O.B.E., M.C, an Australian born in Fiji in October 1896 and educated at Melbourne Grammar School, reached the Western Front in July 1915 as a Temporary 2nd Lieutenant serving in the 37th Division. In November, he transferred to the R.F.C. and was posted Observer with No. 1 Squadron. On 29.2.1916 he was carrying out Artillery Co-Operation Duties with Captain R.A. Saunders in Morane Parasol 5119 in the vicinity of Ypres, when they saw an F.E.8 trying to pursue a hostile two-seater, and joined the chase:
'The Morane approached to within 50 to 100 yards, diving steeply, 100 m.p.h. being registered on the speedometer, at an altitude of about 5,000 feet and at about 50 yards range. Tracer bullets were seen to hit the fuselage, and the Observer in the hostile machine disappeared from view and ceased firing. After another burst of fire, smoke and flames were seen to come from the engine and the hostile machine was last seen burning and diving by the woods near Passchendale'.
Credited with a part share in the victory with Saunders and the F.E.8 Pilot, he qualified as a Pilot himself in August 1916 and joined 46 Squadron in which he was to become a Patrol Leader of merit. In the spring of 1917 the unit received Sopwith Pups and during an early evening patrol on 2.6.1917 Brewster-Joske opened his tally with an Albatros DIII 'out of control' near Houthoulst. Five days later a second DIII fell to his guns near Wervicq-Comines, and on the 17th he completed a hattrick for the month claiming an Albatros DV near Lens. In July the Squadron was suddenly ordered to England for six weeks for Home Defence Duties following the first daylight raids by Gothas on London. On 46's return to France Brewster-Joske swiftly attained 'Ace' status with his fifth victory on 3 September, during which month he also scored the final three kills of his career, the last of these, an Albatros DIII, being shared with Lieutenant Ferrie. The award of his Military Cross when announced in October was of special significance as it was the first Decoration to be given to a member of the unit. After the War he returned to Fiji and became a prominent figure in the community, rising to the command of the Fiji Defence Force with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in 1939. The following year, however, he joined the R.A.A.F., and became a Group Captain in Administration and Training.
M.C. London Gazette 27.10.1917 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in taking part in twenty-nine air flights, in which he has destroyed seven hostile machines'.
Group Captain Clive Alexander Brewster-Joske, O.B.E., M.C, an Australian born in Fiji in October 1896 and educated at Melbourne Grammar School, reached the Western Front in July 1915 as a Temporary 2nd Lieutenant serving in the 37th Division. In November, he transferred to the R.F.C. and was posted Observer with No. 1 Squadron. On 29.2.1916 he was carrying out Artillery Co-Operation Duties with Captain R.A. Saunders in Morane Parasol 5119 in the vicinity of Ypres, when they saw an F.E.8 trying to pursue a hostile two-seater, and joined the chase:
'The Morane approached to within 50 to 100 yards, diving steeply, 100 m.p.h. being registered on the speedometer, at an altitude of about 5,000 feet and at about 50 yards range. Tracer bullets were seen to hit the fuselage, and the Observer in the hostile machine disappeared from view and ceased firing. After another burst of fire, smoke and flames were seen to come from the engine and the hostile machine was last seen burning and diving by the woods near Passchendale'.
Credited with a part share in the victory with Saunders and the F.E.8 Pilot, he qualified as a Pilot himself in August 1916 and joined 46 Squadron in which he was to become a Patrol Leader of merit. In the spring of 1917 the unit received Sopwith Pups and during an early evening patrol on 2.6.1917 Brewster-Joske opened his tally with an Albatros DIII 'out of control' near Houthoulst. Five days later a second DIII fell to his guns near Wervicq-Comines, and on the 17th he completed a hattrick for the month claiming an Albatros DV near Lens. In July the Squadron was suddenly ordered to England for six weeks for Home Defence Duties following the first daylight raids by Gothas on London. On 46's return to France Brewster-Joske swiftly attained 'Ace' status with his fifth victory on 3 September, during which month he also scored the final three kills of his career, the last of these, an Albatros DIII, being shared with Lieutenant Ferrie. The award of his Military Cross when announced in October was of special significance as it was the first Decoration to be given to a member of the unit. After the War he returned to Fiji and became a prominent figure in the community, rising to the command of the Fiji Defence Force with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in 1939. The following year, however, he joined the R.A.A.F., and became a Group Captain in Administration and Training.