Squadron Leader Charles John Wharton Darwin, DSO RAF

Squadron Leader Charles John Wharton Darwin DSO RAF (12 December 1894 - 26 December 1941) was a First World War flying ace credited with five aerial victories.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin_(RAF_officer)

• Son of Col. Charles Waring Darwin CB DL JP (1855–1928) of Elston Hall and his wife Mary Dorothea (née Wharton), the only daughter of the Rt Hon. John Lloyd Wharton MP.
• Educated at Winchester School, and the RMC Sandhurst.
• Served in France with the 2nd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards from 1914 to 1916.
• Transferred to the Royal Flying Corps.

His first assignment, to 27 Squadron, saw him flying a Martinsyde G.100. He then returned to England to instruct at the Central Flying School, Upavon, in 1917. When 87 Squadron was founded at Upavon in April 1918, Darwin led the effort. He accompanied the squadron into combat in France as a captain. When Major Joseph Callaghan was killed in action on 2 July 1918, Darwin succeeded to command. Flying Sopwith Dolphin no. C4158, Darwin destroyed four enemy planes and drove down a fifth one out of control between 31 May and 26 September 1918.

• Married Sybil Renee Rose, daughter of Charles Marston Rose and granddaughter of the late Sir Philip Rose, 1st Baronet. They had a son and two daughters:
• Christopher William Wharton Darwin (1918-1942), RAF officer killed in the Second World War
• Vivien Mary Darwin (1919-?), married 1938, Claude Richard Henry Kindersley DSO MC
• Susan Anne Darwin (1923-?), married 1942 (div. 1948) Maj. Gilbert Ian Thwaites.

Post war, he remained in the Royal Air Force at the Central Flying School and at RAF Cranwell until his retirement in 1928. He then worked for Bristol Aeroplane Company as their London manager. From 1936 he became manager of Saunders-Roe.[6] He rejoined the RAF as a Squadron Leader, but died unexpectedly on 26 December 1941.[7] He was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium.

LOTFWW

Medal Index Cards

findmypast Transcription

• First name(s) Charles John Wharton
• Last name Darwin
• Year 1914-20
• Service number -
• Rank Lieutenant, Captain, Major
• Second rank Captain
• Third rank Major
• Regiment Coldstream Guards, Royal Flying Corps
• Second corps Royal Flying Corps
• Third corps Royal Flying Corps
• Service record Rank: Lieutenant, Corps: Coldstream Guards
• Second service record Rank: Captain, Corps: Royal Flying Corps
• Third service record Rank: Major, Corps: Royal Flying Corps
• Image link http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D2086183
• Country Great Britain
• Medal type British Army Medal Index Cards, 1914-1920
• Archive reference WO372/5

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