Edwin Cole (aviator)
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Edwin Stuart Travis Cole was a World War I flying ace
credited with eight aerial victories.
Biplanes at the Ruffy-Baumann School in Hendon. On 21 July 1916, he was appointed to the Royal Flying Corps
. On 15 September 1916, having been assigned to 60 Squadron to fly a Nieuport
fighter, he scored his first victory.
Reassigned to 1 Squadron, he once again used a Nieuport. He triumphed twice in March 1917, and four times during Bloody April
. On 1 May 1917, he and fellow ace Frank Sharpe captured a German Albatros D.III
fighter at Roulers Elverdinghe. Following this, Cole was withdrawn from action.
be used for a first aid post and air raid shelter. On 21 March 1939, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer
on probation. On 31 August 1939, he was confirmed as a Pilot Officer and promoted to Flying Officer
.
Apparently unfit for flight duty, on 27 May 1940 he was transferred to General Duties. On 27 May 1941, he was promoted to Flight Lieutenant
. On 1 July 1944, he was once again promoted, this time to temporary Squadron Leader
.
2nd Lt. Edwin Stewart Travis Cole, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion he, in a scout, attacked and brought down an enemy two-seater biplane. He has brought down two hostile balloons. He has at all times set a splendid example of courage and initiative. (Supplement to the London Gazette, 18 June 1917) (30135/5987)
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 eight aerial victories.
World War I service
On 14 December 1915, Cole earned Aviator's Certificate No. 2160 on CaudronCaudron
The Caudron Airplane Company was a French aircraft company founded in 1909 by brothers Gaston Caudron and René Caudron . It was one of the earliest aircraft manufacturers in France and produced planes for the military in both World War I and World War II...
Biplanes at the Ruffy-Baumann School in Hendon. On 21 July 1916, he was appointed to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
. On 15 September 1916, having been assigned to 60 Squadron to fly a Nieuport
Nieuport
Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars.-Beginnings:...
fighter, he scored his first victory.
Reassigned to 1 Squadron, he once again used a Nieuport. He triumphed twice in March 1917, and four times during Bloody April
Bloody April
During the First World War, the month of April 1917 was known as Bloody April by the Royal Flying Corps . The RFC suffered particularly severe losses — about three times as many as the Imperial German Army Air Service over the same period — but continued its primary role in support of the ground...
. On 1 May 1917, he and fellow ace Frank Sharpe captured a German Albatros D.III
Albatros D.III
The Albatros D.III was a biplane fighter aircraft used by the Imperial German Army Air Service and the Austro-Hungarian Air Service during World War I. The D.III was flown by many top German aces, including Manfred von Richthofen, Ernst Udet, Erich Löwenhardt, Kurt Wolff, and Karl Emil Schäfer...
fighter at Roulers Elverdinghe. Following this, Cole was withdrawn from action.
World War II service
His record lapses until 1939, when he agreed to let a garage in DownendDownend
Downend is the name of more than one place:* Downend, South Gloucestershire is a suburb of Bristol, England* Downend is a village in Berkshire, England* Downend, Isle of Wight...
be used for a first aid post and air raid shelter. On 21 March 1939, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer
Pilot Officer
Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer...
on probation. On 31 August 1939, he was confirmed as a Pilot Officer and promoted to Flying Officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
.
Apparently unfit for flight duty, on 27 May 1940 he was transferred to General Duties. On 27 May 1941, he was promoted to Flight Lieutenant
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
. On 1 July 1944, he was once again promoted, this time to temporary Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
.
Post World War II
On 25 May 1954, Cole relinquished his commission, still serving in the rank of Squadron Leader.Honors and awards
Military Cross (MC)2nd Lt. Edwin Stewart Travis Cole, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion he, in a scout, attacked and brought down an enemy two-seater biplane. He has brought down two hostile balloons. He has at all times set a splendid example of courage and initiative. (Supplement to the London Gazette, 18 June 1917) (30135/5987)