Gerald Crole
Encyclopedia
Captain Gerard Bruce Crole was a Scottish international rugby union and cricket player. He was also a World War I flying ace
credited with five aerial victories. He was born on June 7, 1894, and died on March 31, 1965.
Crole earned his Bachelor of Arts at Oxford University before World War I started. He joined the Dragoon Guards in 1914. After transfer to the Royal Flying Corps
, he was assigned to 40 Squadron in 1917, to fly Nieuport
s. He scored his first victory on 25 June 1917, and wrapped up his string of wins with his fifth on 23 August 1917. Two months later, he was shot down but survived; he sat out the war as a prisoner.
He was capped four times for in 1920. He also played for Oxford University RFC
. His half brother Phipps Turnbull
also gained a six caps for Scotland in 1901-2, and played for Edinburgh Academicals.
He also played for the Scotland national cricket team.
His everyday occupation was solicitor. He died in 1965, and is buried at Greyfriar's Cemetery in Edinburgh
, Scotland.
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. He was born on June 7, 1894, and died on March 31, 1965.
Crole earned his Bachelor of Arts at Oxford University before World War I started. He joined the Dragoon Guards in 1914. After transfer 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...
, he was assigned to 40 Squadron in 1917, to fly 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:...
s. He scored his first victory on 25 June 1917, and wrapped up his string of wins with his fifth on 23 August 1917. Two months later, he was shot down but survived; he sat out the war as a prisoner.
He was capped four times for in 1920. He also played for Oxford University RFC
Oxford University RFC
The Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
. His half brother Phipps Turnbull
Phipps Turnbull
Phipps Turnbull was a Scottish international rugby union player.He was capped for six times between 1901-2. He also played for Edinburgh Academicals RFC....
also gained a six caps for Scotland in 1901-2, and played for Edinburgh Academicals.
He also played for the Scotland national cricket team.
His everyday occupation was solicitor. He died in 1965, and is buried at Greyfriar's Cemetery in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland.
See also
- List of Scottish cricket and rugby union players
- List of World War I aces credited with 5 victories