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细节
CAPTAIN ROY KING - THE OUSTANDING DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER, DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES, 1914-15 STAR, BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS, WAR MEDAL 1939-45, AUSTRALIAN SERVICE MEDAL 1939-45, GROUP OF 7 AWARDED TO CAPTAIN ELWYN ROY KING, ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE, SECOND HIGHEST SCORING FLYING ACE OF THE AUSTRALIAN FLYING CORPS, HIGHEST SCORING FIGHTER ACE OF THE WAR WITH THE SOPWITH SNIPE; AND CAPTAIN KING'S ORIGINAL FLYING LOG BOOK
KING WAS THE HIGHEST SCORING FIGHTER ACE FROM NEW SOUTH WALES
(a) Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., Silver-gilt and enamel
(b) Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R., reverse engraved 'Capt.R.King D.S.O., A.F.C., A.I.F.
(c) Mentioned in Despatches, original printed citation recording Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig's mention of King in a despatch dated 16th March 1919 'for gallant and distinguished services in the field', printed signature of Winston Churchill
(d) 1914-15 Star
(e) British War and Victory Medals
(f) War Medal 1939-45 (204 King E.R.)
(g) Australia Service Medal 1939-45 (204 King E.R.)
(h) General Service Badge No.AF42135
DSO. King was one of only 19 Australian Flying Corps personnel awarded the Distinguished Service Order. His DSO citation (photocopy only present) is signed by King George V and Winston Churchill (Secretary of State for War) and is dated 3 June 1919. It is contained in the thirteenth supplement no.31378 to the London Gazette, dated 3 June DFC. King was twice recommended for the DFC and once for a Bar to the October 1919.
About 7 am he descended to 600 ft. over WATTIGNIES on the LILLE-SEGLIN line, and from that height bombed and hit a train, derailing and destroying one truck and a covered van; he then proceeded to shoot up the same target. Shortly afterwards, still flying at a low altitude, he attacked and destroyed an LVG near ARMENTIERRES.
On the 5th instant between 5:30 and 7:30 am flying at a height of 1500 ft., he bombed and secured hits upon billets in which he saw troops take cover on his approach. He then fired 200 rounds into horse transport on a road near ARMENTIERRES, causing casualties, and finally silenced an Anti-Aircraft Battery with machine gun fire.
On the 6th instant, flying alone over the lines, he attacked and drove down one DFW which was seen to disappear completely out of control into the ground mist which covered the fields in the neighbourhood of WAVRIN. He then bombed and attacked DON railway station from a height of 1500 ft.
On the 7th instant he again bombed billets in ARMENTIERRES from a hieght of 1500 ft., causing several fires, and afterwards fired his machine gun into scattered troops in the neighbourhood of the town.
This officer has been recommended to me for Immediate Award by the officer commanding 80th Wing three times previously, once on the 31st July 1918, for clever leadership of a patrol whereby he intercepted and defeated an overwhelming force of hostile scouts who were diving on a bombing formation
Secondly, on the 11th August 1918. [The previous day after destroying a balloon, and shooting down an LGV at close range, King had met his Majesty King George V during the Royal visit to No.4 Squadron at Reclingham, on 10th August 1918, see illustration. Cobby records that the King 'was particularly interested in the scrap that Bo and I had had that morning'...] for destroying one hostile machine and one balloon in a single flight and, lastly, on the 30th August 1918, for various successful attacks on troops on the ground from low altitudes. Upon practically every occasion when this officer flies over the lines, he descends to a low altitude, and attacks enemy billets, trains, motor transport, railway stations, aerodromes, troops, etc., with bombs and machine gun fire.
On the 16th January 1919 Brigadier-General J.F.A.Higgins, Commanding 2nd Brigade, reccomended Captain Roy King DFC for a Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross, 'Between the 30th October and 4th November, this officer destroyed 4 EA in the Tournai-Leuze-Ath Area. He was awarded the DFC on 9th September 1918, up to which time he had destroyed 9 EA.
The GOC 10th Brigade, under whose command he was serving, writes that Captain King has brought his record up to 15 EA and 4 balloons destroyed, 1 further EA in combined combat. In addition he has taken part in many indecisive combats - he has since done a great amount of valuable and gallant work low flying over the enemy's lines, dropping bombs and shooting up billets and troops with machine gun fire.
He has been twice recommended for the DFC. It appears that through some mistake probably due to transfer from one Brigade to another, followed by the advance into Germany, this officer's claims were overlooked.'
King's DFC award appeared in the London Gazette on 3rd December 1918, 'AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, HIS MAJESTY THE KING had been graciously pleased to confer the above reward on the undermentioned officer of the Royal Air Force in recognition of gallantry in flying operations against the enemy - Lieutenant (Acting Captain) ROY KING. During operations in the early part of September this officer rendered gallant and valuable service in bombing and attacking with machine gun fire enemy billets, trains, troops, &c...In carrying out these operations he insures success by descending to low altitudes, disregarding personal danger incurred by doing so'. This MID. King's Mention in Despatches is contained in the Eighth May 1919.
Supplement no.31448 to the London Gazette, dated 11 July 1919...continuation of Sir Douglas Haig's despatch of 16 March 1919, promulgated in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette no.35 dated 15 April 1920.
Captain Roy King's Pilot's Flying Book, 12-8-1917 to 4-10-1918, 66 1/2 pages, original printed wrappers, 8vo
HIGHLY IMPORTANT. ONE OF VERY FEW SURVIVING AFC LOG BOOKS. The period covered icludes King's period with No.29 Training Squadron, No.30, then No.4 from 20.3.18-4.10.18. A remarkably evocative document, king had completed 76 hrs 20 mins flying training before moving to France. A week after arriving in France he records 'attacked by Hun machine'. His first kill is recorded on 26.6.18 'shot down two-seater' (underlined in red, as are all his kills), 30.7.18. 'Escorting DH9s. Hell of a dog fight. Got three Huns down (myself one)'. By the time the log ends, after 268 Hrs flying time, he records another 11 aircraft shot down with balloons destroyed and numerous bombing raids, including Harbourdin, Romme, 'Trench strafing from very low altitude', 'Shot up troops and transport', 'Bombed railway station and train'. The log ends with the introduction of the new Sopwith Snipe and King's first test flight in it. He records enthusistically 'some bus'. King, at 6ft 2 in ad broad-shouldered was more comfortable in the Snipe and took to it immediately. In the next 3 weeks he had shot down 5 enemy aircraft and there is no doubt that if the war had continued he would probably have become, very quickly, the highest scoring AFC fighter ace.
Loosely inserted is an important 3-page letter by King to his mother. Written in Belgium on 17.11.1918 'At present we are moving up through Belgium & I think we will soon be in Germany proper...I hate Belgium & all its people & personally don't think it would have much mattered if the Huns had kept it. I think the people were just as well satisfied in German control as in ours...I have been well protected during the last three years don't you think. There were a good many times when I would not have given four pence for my chance, but always I came out safe as ever. I like to look back now on some of my scrapes; when I had just about given up, & kissed myself goodbye, & wonder what exactly did get me out of it unhurt. For the present though I want no more war as my nerves are not nearly so good as they used to be, but only want a spell...I got twenty six Hun machines to my credit, before it ended, the second or third highest score for anyone in the Aust.Flying Corps'.
Elwyn Roy King was born on 13 May 1894 at 'Grove', a grazing property West of Bathhurst in New South Wales. Growing up on the land, King developed an experience in machinery and at the start of the war was a mechanic and motor salesman. In July 1915, aged 21, he enlisted in the Australian Light Horse. By February 1916 Trooper King, in emu-plummed digger hat, now part of the 12th Light Horse, was on the Suez Canal, Egypt. He was later attached to the 2nd Light Horse Training Regiment. Of the two air units in Egypt, flying in support of British forces opposing the Turkish advance from Palestine, No.1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps attracted King's attention. Their biplanes protected Light Horse lines from occasional German bombers supporting the Turkish army. King transferred as an air mechanic to No.1 Squadron which was headed for England to be trained as a fighting scout unit for use in France. This was to become No.2 Squadron AFC.
Recommended for pilot training, Corpral King was promoted 2nd Lieutenant in May 1916 and began flying instruction. Six weeks of Military Aeronautics at Oxford University were followed by flying experience at No.29 (Training) Squadron AFC, stationed at Shrewberry. King was assessd to fly single seat fighting scouts. He then moved to No.30 (Training) Squadron at Ternhill for training on more advanced machines, including the Sopwith Camel fighting scout biplane, the type of aircraft he would fly in combat. He then completed an Aerial Gunnery course at Turnberry, Scotland. On 24 March 1918, King reached his new outfit, No.4 Squadron AFC, at their operational flying field, Bruay, between Bethune and St.Pol. Three days earlier Ludendorff had begaun his massive 'last throw' offensive designed to drive the Allies back to the Channel thus thwarting the arrival of huge numbers of American troops to the front. No.4 Squadron AFC was one of the four units of the 80th Wing RFC ready for immediate action.
King's big frame, he was 6ft 2in, caused a slight problem during his check flight before Major McClaughry, his OC. In his Sidcot flying suit, in the compact Camel cockpit, King found it difficult to get the control stick far enough back to make the accepted three point touchdown. However Captain Harry Cobby, the A Flight Commander, promised to take the new pilot under his wing into A Flight. A unique partnership between the two was formed.
The pricipal duties of the scout unit were to take the fight to the enemy, firstly by preventing intrusion by his reconnaissance two-seaters and shooting them down and secondly, on offensive patrols to attack enemy fighters similarly bent on stopping Allied reconnaissance two-seaters gathering information. In special circumstances, low level attack duties were deemed essential in halting offensives. General Hugh Trenchard, OC, RFC, ordered aggression at all times even if it meant attacking the enemy well within his own lines.
'A' Flight memberes formed a close knit group whose cohesion and experience made it a formidable fighting unit. King became an outstanding member of this team, interchangeable with Cobby, sometimes leading the flight. The elan and camaraderie between Harry Cobby, Roy King and the other pilots, was exceptional. Cobby affectionately called King 'Bo' an abbreviated Americanism for 'brother'. They developed a team with a high degree of tactical skill and daring in attacking enemy ground targets at low level as well as close combat aerial warfare, sometimes at point blank range. Cobby and King would also on occasion drop into enemy aerodromes, wheels running along the ground, firing their machine gunes at the aircraft inside the hangars. The lethal combination they formed was noted by Captain 'Ira' Jones of the British 74 'Tiger' Squadron which shared Clairmairis Aerodrome with No.4 when they were transferred to the 11th Wing in April 1918. Jones recorded 'The Aussies are a fine bunch of 'Digger'...The pilots strike me as being a full-out bunch. In particular, I liked the look of Cobby, 'Bow' King and Watson - very full-out guys. If they can fight as well as they can knock back cocktails the Hun is in for a fine time...'. On 20 June King gained his first victory in aerial combat. Air 'Ace' status, 5 kills, followed soon after.
King was appointed a Captain and Flight Commander in September 1918, in recognition of his brilliance as a patrol leader. One month earlier, after 11 months continuous air action in Camels, Harry Cobby left for England in October, by which time King had increased his tally to 11. King was a big genial man, easily distinguishable in Squadron photographs with his tall, big frame and generous smile. He had developed into a lethal and experienced fighting machine who was an inspirational leader. In October the Squadron Camels were replaced by Sopwith Snipes, the very latest twin-gun fighter biplanes to leave English production lines. Faster than the camel, with an easy reserve of power, it could also fly higher. No.4 was one of only two squadrons allocated the Snipe. Its larger cockpit suited King's tall broad-shouldered frame. Before the armistice on 11 November 1918, in three weeks, he had shot down another 5 enemy aircraft, with two probables to bring his tally to 16 confirmed and 6 out of control. This was during the heaviest and most dangerous weeks of the war in the air, when the enemy came out fighting in numbers which formed fleets of skirmishing aircraft. King's kills in the squadron were only exceeded by those of Cobby. He had also brought down 4 German observation balloons.
At the end of the war the squadron was part of the Allied occupation force, stationed for a time at Cologne, Germany. On his return home to Australia King was requested to remain in service as a founder member of a new air arm for Australia, the Australian Air Corps (now the RAAF). Through the danger and horrors of the war King had maintained a deep sense of integrity. Now, his distress at the cavalier treatment of his fellow pilot, Frank MacNamara VC, who was not made the same offer, caused King to reject the offer. He had joined H.J.Larkin, in the Sopwith-Larkin aircraft company, making a number of significant early commercial flights around Southern Australia, including the earliest carriage of mail, newspapers and photographs for the press. Later, King joined former Royal Air Force Officer Thomas T.('Tite') Shipman, forming Shipman, King and Co. of Port Melbourne and Sydney, manufacturing and importing machinery. King also indulged his passion for restoring sporting motor cars, including a French Delage and an Alvis SS. Sports.
After the outbreak of war in 1939 he joined the RAAf as a pilot, but in 1940, at the age of 46, transferred to the Administrative Branch. His postings were; Flying Officer 28.12.1939, Flight Lieutenant 11.7.1940, Squadron Leader 18.7.1940, Wing Commander 1.1.1941, culminating in his appointment to command the large RAAF training base at Point Cook, Victoria, in the rank of Group Captain. He was serving in this position when he died suddenly on 28 November 1941. His funeral was attended by a large number of formerAFC and RAF/RAAF senior officers, including the Chief of the Air Staff, with representatives of the Minister for Air, the civil flying community, the AFC and RAAF associations.
Literature: Christopher Shores and others Above the Trenches,
KING WAS THE HIGHEST SCORING FIGHTER ACE FROM NEW SOUTH WALES
(a) Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., Silver-gilt and enamel
(b) Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R., reverse engraved 'Capt.R.King D.S.O., A.F.C., A.I.F.
(c) Mentioned in Despatches, original printed citation recording Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig's mention of King in a despatch dated 16th March 1919 'for gallant and distinguished services in the field', printed signature of Winston Churchill
(d) 1914-15 Star
(e) British War and Victory Medals
(f) War Medal 1939-45 (204 King E.R.)
(g) Australia Service Medal 1939-45 (204 King E.R.)
(h) General Service Badge No.AF42135
DSO. King was one of only 19 Australian Flying Corps personnel awarded the Distinguished Service Order. His DSO citation (photocopy only present) is signed by King George V and Winston Churchill (Secretary of State for War) and is dated 3 June 1919. It is contained in the thirteenth supplement no.31378 to the London Gazette, dated 3 June DFC. King was twice recommended for the DFC and once for a Bar to the October 1919.
About 7 am he descended to 600 ft. over WATTIGNIES on the LILLE-SEGLIN line, and from that height bombed and hit a train, derailing and destroying one truck and a covered van; he then proceeded to shoot up the same target. Shortly afterwards, still flying at a low altitude, he attacked and destroyed an LVG near ARMENTIERRES.
On the 5th instant between 5:30 and 7:30 am flying at a height of 1500 ft., he bombed and secured hits upon billets in which he saw troops take cover on his approach. He then fired 200 rounds into horse transport on a road near ARMENTIERRES, causing casualties, and finally silenced an Anti-Aircraft Battery with machine gun fire.
On the 6th instant, flying alone over the lines, he attacked and drove down one DFW which was seen to disappear completely out of control into the ground mist which covered the fields in the neighbourhood of WAVRIN. He then bombed and attacked DON railway station from a height of 1500 ft.
On the 7th instant he again bombed billets in ARMENTIERRES from a hieght of 1500 ft., causing several fires, and afterwards fired his machine gun into scattered troops in the neighbourhood of the town.
This officer has been recommended to me for Immediate Award by the officer commanding 80th Wing three times previously, once on the 31st July 1918, for clever leadership of a patrol whereby he intercepted and defeated an overwhelming force of hostile scouts who were diving on a bombing formation
Secondly, on the 11th August 1918. [The previous day after destroying a balloon, and shooting down an LGV at close range, King had met his Majesty King George V during the Royal visit to No.4 Squadron at Reclingham, on 10th August 1918, see illustration. Cobby records that the King 'was particularly interested in the scrap that Bo and I had had that morning'...] for destroying one hostile machine and one balloon in a single flight and, lastly, on the 30th August 1918, for various successful attacks on troops on the ground from low altitudes. Upon practically every occasion when this officer flies over the lines, he descends to a low altitude, and attacks enemy billets, trains, motor transport, railway stations, aerodromes, troops, etc., with bombs and machine gun fire.
On the 16th January 1919 Brigadier-General J.F.A.Higgins, Commanding 2nd Brigade, reccomended Captain Roy King DFC for a Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross, 'Between the 30th October and 4th November, this officer destroyed 4 EA in the Tournai-Leuze-Ath Area. He was awarded the DFC on 9th September 1918, up to which time he had destroyed 9 EA.
The GOC 10th Brigade, under whose command he was serving, writes that Captain King has brought his record up to 15 EA and 4 balloons destroyed, 1 further EA in combined combat. In addition he has taken part in many indecisive combats - he has since done a great amount of valuable and gallant work low flying over the enemy's lines, dropping bombs and shooting up billets and troops with machine gun fire.
He has been twice recommended for the DFC. It appears that through some mistake probably due to transfer from one Brigade to another, followed by the advance into Germany, this officer's claims were overlooked.'
King's DFC award appeared in the London Gazette on 3rd December 1918, 'AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, HIS MAJESTY THE KING had been graciously pleased to confer the above reward on the undermentioned officer of the Royal Air Force in recognition of gallantry in flying operations against the enemy - Lieutenant (Acting Captain) ROY KING. During operations in the early part of September this officer rendered gallant and valuable service in bombing and attacking with machine gun fire enemy billets, trains, troops, &c...In carrying out these operations he insures success by descending to low altitudes, disregarding personal danger incurred by doing so'. This MID. King's Mention in Despatches is contained in the Eighth May 1919.
Supplement no.31448 to the London Gazette, dated 11 July 1919...continuation of Sir Douglas Haig's despatch of 16 March 1919, promulgated in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette no.35 dated 15 April 1920.
Captain Roy King's Pilot's Flying Book, 12-8-1917 to 4-10-1918, 66 1/2 pages, original printed wrappers, 8vo
HIGHLY IMPORTANT. ONE OF VERY FEW SURVIVING AFC LOG BOOKS. The period covered icludes King's period with No.29 Training Squadron, No.30, then No.4 from 20.3.18-4.10.18. A remarkably evocative document, king had completed 76 hrs 20 mins flying training before moving to France. A week after arriving in France he records 'attacked by Hun machine'. His first kill is recorded on 26.6.18 'shot down two-seater' (underlined in red, as are all his kills), 30.7.18. 'Escorting DH9s. Hell of a dog fight. Got three Huns down (myself one)'. By the time the log ends, after 268 Hrs flying time, he records another 11 aircraft shot down with balloons destroyed and numerous bombing raids, including Harbourdin, Romme, 'Trench strafing from very low altitude', 'Shot up troops and transport', 'Bombed railway station and train'. The log ends with the introduction of the new Sopwith Snipe and King's first test flight in it. He records enthusistically 'some bus'. King, at 6ft 2 in ad broad-shouldered was more comfortable in the Snipe and took to it immediately. In the next 3 weeks he had shot down 5 enemy aircraft and there is no doubt that if the war had continued he would probably have become, very quickly, the highest scoring AFC fighter ace.
Loosely inserted is an important 3-page letter by King to his mother. Written in Belgium on 17.11.1918 'At present we are moving up through Belgium & I think we will soon be in Germany proper...I hate Belgium & all its people & personally don't think it would have much mattered if the Huns had kept it. I think the people were just as well satisfied in German control as in ours...I have been well protected during the last three years don't you think. There were a good many times when I would not have given four pence for my chance, but always I came out safe as ever. I like to look back now on some of my scrapes; when I had just about given up, & kissed myself goodbye, & wonder what exactly did get me out of it unhurt. For the present though I want no more war as my nerves are not nearly so good as they used to be, but only want a spell...I got twenty six Hun machines to my credit, before it ended, the second or third highest score for anyone in the Aust.Flying Corps'.
Elwyn Roy King was born on 13 May 1894 at 'Grove', a grazing property West of Bathhurst in New South Wales. Growing up on the land, King developed an experience in machinery and at the start of the war was a mechanic and motor salesman. In July 1915, aged 21, he enlisted in the Australian Light Horse. By February 1916 Trooper King, in emu-plummed digger hat, now part of the 12th Light Horse, was on the Suez Canal, Egypt. He was later attached to the 2nd Light Horse Training Regiment. Of the two air units in Egypt, flying in support of British forces opposing the Turkish advance from Palestine, No.1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps attracted King's attention. Their biplanes protected Light Horse lines from occasional German bombers supporting the Turkish army. King transferred as an air mechanic to No.1 Squadron which was headed for England to be trained as a fighting scout unit for use in France. This was to become No.2 Squadron AFC.
Recommended for pilot training, Corpral King was promoted 2nd Lieutenant in May 1916 and began flying instruction. Six weeks of Military Aeronautics at Oxford University were followed by flying experience at No.29 (Training) Squadron AFC, stationed at Shrewberry. King was assessd to fly single seat fighting scouts. He then moved to No.30 (Training) Squadron at Ternhill for training on more advanced machines, including the Sopwith Camel fighting scout biplane, the type of aircraft he would fly in combat. He then completed an Aerial Gunnery course at Turnberry, Scotland. On 24 March 1918, King reached his new outfit, No.4 Squadron AFC, at their operational flying field, Bruay, between Bethune and St.Pol. Three days earlier Ludendorff had begaun his massive 'last throw' offensive designed to drive the Allies back to the Channel thus thwarting the arrival of huge numbers of American troops to the front. No.4 Squadron AFC was one of the four units of the 80th Wing RFC ready for immediate action.
King's big frame, he was 6ft 2in, caused a slight problem during his check flight before Major McClaughry, his OC. In his Sidcot flying suit, in the compact Camel cockpit, King found it difficult to get the control stick far enough back to make the accepted three point touchdown. However Captain Harry Cobby, the A Flight Commander, promised to take the new pilot under his wing into A Flight. A unique partnership between the two was formed.
The pricipal duties of the scout unit were to take the fight to the enemy, firstly by preventing intrusion by his reconnaissance two-seaters and shooting them down and secondly, on offensive patrols to attack enemy fighters similarly bent on stopping Allied reconnaissance two-seaters gathering information. In special circumstances, low level attack duties were deemed essential in halting offensives. General Hugh Trenchard, OC, RFC, ordered aggression at all times even if it meant attacking the enemy well within his own lines.
'A' Flight memberes formed a close knit group whose cohesion and experience made it a formidable fighting unit. King became an outstanding member of this team, interchangeable with Cobby, sometimes leading the flight. The elan and camaraderie between Harry Cobby, Roy King and the other pilots, was exceptional. Cobby affectionately called King 'Bo' an abbreviated Americanism for 'brother'. They developed a team with a high degree of tactical skill and daring in attacking enemy ground targets at low level as well as close combat aerial warfare, sometimes at point blank range. Cobby and King would also on occasion drop into enemy aerodromes, wheels running along the ground, firing their machine gunes at the aircraft inside the hangars. The lethal combination they formed was noted by Captain 'Ira' Jones of the British 74 'Tiger' Squadron which shared Clairmairis Aerodrome with No.4 when they were transferred to the 11th Wing in April 1918. Jones recorded 'The Aussies are a fine bunch of 'Digger'...The pilots strike me as being a full-out bunch. In particular, I liked the look of Cobby, 'Bow' King and Watson - very full-out guys. If they can fight as well as they can knock back cocktails the Hun is in for a fine time...'. On 20 June King gained his first victory in aerial combat. Air 'Ace' status, 5 kills, followed soon after.
King was appointed a Captain and Flight Commander in September 1918, in recognition of his brilliance as a patrol leader. One month earlier, after 11 months continuous air action in Camels, Harry Cobby left for England in October, by which time King had increased his tally to 11. King was a big genial man, easily distinguishable in Squadron photographs with his tall, big frame and generous smile. He had developed into a lethal and experienced fighting machine who was an inspirational leader. In October the Squadron Camels were replaced by Sopwith Snipes, the very latest twin-gun fighter biplanes to leave English production lines. Faster than the camel, with an easy reserve of power, it could also fly higher. No.4 was one of only two squadrons allocated the Snipe. Its larger cockpit suited King's tall broad-shouldered frame. Before the armistice on 11 November 1918, in three weeks, he had shot down another 5 enemy aircraft, with two probables to bring his tally to 16 confirmed and 6 out of control. This was during the heaviest and most dangerous weeks of the war in the air, when the enemy came out fighting in numbers which formed fleets of skirmishing aircraft. King's kills in the squadron were only exceeded by those of Cobby. He had also brought down 4 German observation balloons.
At the end of the war the squadron was part of the Allied occupation force, stationed for a time at Cologne, Germany. On his return home to Australia King was requested to remain in service as a founder member of a new air arm for Australia, the Australian Air Corps (now the RAAF). Through the danger and horrors of the war King had maintained a deep sense of integrity. Now, his distress at the cavalier treatment of his fellow pilot, Frank MacNamara VC, who was not made the same offer, caused King to reject the offer. He had joined H.J.Larkin, in the Sopwith-Larkin aircraft company, making a number of significant early commercial flights around Southern Australia, including the earliest carriage of mail, newspapers and photographs for the press. Later, King joined former Royal Air Force Officer Thomas T.('Tite') Shipman, forming Shipman, King and Co. of Port Melbourne and Sydney, manufacturing and importing machinery. King also indulged his passion for restoring sporting motor cars, including a French Delage and an Alvis SS. Sports.
After the outbreak of war in 1939 he joined the RAAf as a pilot, but in 1940, at the age of 46, transferred to the Administrative Branch. His postings were; Flying Officer 28.12.1939, Flight Lieutenant 11.7.1940, Squadron Leader 18.7.1940, Wing Commander 1.1.1941, culminating in his appointment to command the large RAAF training base at Point Cook, Victoria, in the rank of Group Captain. He was serving in this position when he died suddenly on 28 November 1941. His funeral was attended by a large number of formerAFC and RAF/RAAF senior officers, including the Chief of the Air Staff, with representatives of the Minister for Air, the civil flying community, the AFC and RAAF associations.
Literature: Christopher Shores and others Above the Trenches,
注意事项
A 10% Goods and Services tax (G.S.T) will be charged on the Buyer's Premium on all lots in this sale.