Edward Grange
Encyclopedia
Flight Lieutenant Edward Rochfort Grange was a World War I
flying ace
credited with five aerial victories. His postwar career included success as a businessman, and a return to aviation as a civilian inspector and auditor for the Royal Canadian Air Force
during World War II
.
Grange graduated from the American Curtiss Flying School
in September 1915 and joined the Royal Naval Air Service
. He served in 1 Wing on the French coast, and scored his first victory there by destroying a seaplane on 25 September 1916. He moved on to 8 Naval Squadron. On 4 January 1917, while flying Sopwith Pup
no. N1594, he destroyed an Albatros D.II
and drove two others down out of control. Three days later, he sent another D.II down out of control, but was wounded in the process. He was returned to England, and served as an instructor for the rest of the war.
Flight Lieut. Edward Rochfort Grange, R.N.A.S.
For conspicuous gallantry and skill on several occasions in successfully attacking and bringing down hostile machines, particularly on the 4th January, 1917, when during one flight he had three separate engagements with hostile machines, all of which were driven down out of control.
On the 5th January, 1917, lie attacked three hostile machines, one of which was driven down in a nose-dive.
On the 7th January, 1917, after having driven down one hostile machine, he observed two other enemy aircraft attacking one of our scouts. He was on the way to its assistance when he was attacked by a third hostile scout. He was hit in the shoulder by a bullet from this machine, but landed his aeroplane safely in an aerodrome on our side of the lines. Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 February 1917 (29947/1648)
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with five aerial victories. His postwar career included success as a businessman, and a return to aviation as a civilian inspector and auditor for the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Grange graduated from the American Curtiss Flying School
Curtiss Flying School
left|thumb|A Curtiss Jenny on a training flightThe Curtiss Flying School was started by Glenn Curtiss to compete against the Wright Flying School of the Wright brothers...
in September 1915 and joined the Royal Naval Air Service
Royal Naval Air Service
The Royal Naval Air Service or RNAS was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of the First World War, when it merged with the British Army's Royal Flying Corps to form a new service , the Royal Air Force...
. He served in 1 Wing on the French coast, and scored his first victory there by destroying a seaplane on 25 September 1916. He moved on to 8 Naval Squadron. On 4 January 1917, while flying Sopwith Pup
Sopwith Pup
The Sopwith Pup was a British single seater biplane fighter aircraft built by the Sopwith Aviation Company. It entered service with the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service in the autumn of 1916. With pleasant flying characteristics and good maneuverability, the aircraft proved very...
no. N1594, he destroyed an Albatros D.II
Albatros D.II
|-See also:...
and drove two others down out of control. Three days later, he sent another D.II down out of control, but was wounded in the process. He was returned to England, and served as an instructor for the rest of the war.
Honors and awards
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)Flight Lieut. Edward Rochfort Grange, R.N.A.S.
For conspicuous gallantry and skill on several occasions in successfully attacking and bringing down hostile machines, particularly on the 4th January, 1917, when during one flight he had three separate engagements with hostile machines, all of which were driven down out of control.
On the 5th January, 1917, lie attacked three hostile machines, one of which was driven down in a nose-dive.
On the 7th January, 1917, after having driven down one hostile machine, he observed two other enemy aircraft attacking one of our scouts. He was on the way to its assistance when he was attacked by a third hostile scout. He was hit in the shoulder by a bullet from this machine, but landed his aeroplane safely in an aerodrome on our side of the lines. Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 February 1917 (29947/1648)