Cecil Marchant
Cecil James Marchant | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | "Chaps" |
| Born | 15 June 1895 |
| Died | 30 May 1965 (aged 69) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1913–1919 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry The Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) No 46 Squadron RFC/No. 46 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front |
| Awards | Military Cross |
Captain Cecil James Marchant MC (15 June 1895 – 30 May 1965) was an English flying ace during World War I. He was credited with nine aerial victories.[1]
Early life and military career[edit]
Cecil James Marchant was born in London, and enlisted into the Army in 1913, when he was 18 years old.[2] He served in the 2nd Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, and had achieved the rank of sergeant by 8 October 1914, when he received a mention in despatches from the Commander-in-Chief, Field-Marshal Sir John French.[3] He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 14th Battalion, The Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) on 22 July 1915.[4]
Flying service[edit]
Marchant served about 18 months in the trenches, before being transferred to the Royal Flying Corps.[2] He was granted Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No. 3971 on 1 August 1916,[1] and was appointed a flying officer the same day, as was customary on completion of pilot training, and transferred to the General List.[5]
His first assignment was as a Sopwith Pup pilot in No. 46 Squadron in early 1917. He was promoted to lieutenant on 1 March 1917.[6] That combat tour ended in June.[2]
On 1 January 1918, Marchant was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain.[7] He returned to No. 46 Squadron in February 1918, which had been re-equipped with the Sopwith Camel. He scored his first aerial victory on 22 March, and ran his tally to nine over the next 45 days.[2]
He was awarded the Military Cross, which was gazetted on 22 June 1918. His citation read:
- Temporary Captain Cecil James Merchant, General List and Royal Flying Corps.
- "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He, with two other pilots of his squadron, bombed a freight train from a height of 50 feet, three trucks being derailed. Again, on a later occasion he, with five other pilots, bombed and fired at a column of enemy transport with such good effect that three-quarters of the personnel became casualties and most of the vehicles were destroyed. Whilst on a low bombing reconnaissance during the recent operations he brought down two hostile two-seater machines out of control and shot down a third in flames. He has at all times displayed marked gallantry and resource."[8]
On 2 July 1918, Marchant was wounded severely enough to require his removal from combat duty for hospitalization.[2] He was temporarily appointed a 3rd Class Staff Officer in the Air Ministry on 6 October 1918,[9] and again on 10 February 1919.[10] On 20 March 1919, he was appointed an adjutant; this time, he was an acting captain, though drawing the pay and allowances as a lieutenant.[11]
List of aerial victories[edit]
| No. | Date/time | Aircraft | Foe | Result | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 March 1918 @1500 hours |
Sopwith Camel Serial number C1554 |
LVG reconnaissance aircraft | Driven down out of control | Bullecourt | Victory shared with Donald Roderick MacLaren |
| 2 | 23 March 1918 @1015 hours |
Sopwith Camel s/n B9211 |
Reconnaissance aircraft | Driven down out of control | Croisilles | |
| 3 | 23 March 1918 @1030 hours |
Sopwith Camel s/n B9211 |
Reconnaissance aircraft | Set afire; destroyed | Mory | |
| 4 | 23 March 1918 @1410 hours |
Sopwith Camel | Albatros D.V | Driven down out of control | Morchies | |
| 5 | 3 April 1918 @1245 hours |
Sopwith Camel s/n B9211 |
Albatros reconnaissance aircraft | Destroyed | Map grid 57 D L32 | Victory shared with Maurice Freehill |
| 6 | 20 April 1918 @1000 hours |
Sopwith Camel s/n B9211 |
Albatros reconnaissance aircraft | Destroyed | Harnes | Victory shared with Maurice Freehill |
| 7 | 25 April 1918 | Sopwith Camel | LVG reconnaissance aircraft | Destroyed | West of Lens | Victory shared with Philip Tudhope |
| 8 | 2 May 1918 @1700 hours |
Sopwith Camel s/n B9211 |
Pfalz D.III | Driven down out of control | Estaires | Victory shared with John Henry Smith |
| 9 | 6 May 1918 @1800 hours |
Sopwith Camel | DFW reconnaissance aircraft | Captured | Saint-Venant | Victory shared with Victor Yeates, John Henry Smith, Donald Roderick MacLaren, H T W Manwaring |
Post World War I[edit]
Postwar, Marchant worked in his family's business. He was also a prime mover in organising squadron reunions.[2][12][13]
Cecil James Marchant died on 30 May 1965.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d "Cecil James Marchant". The Aerodrome. 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f Shores et.al. (1990), p. 259.
- ^ "No. 28942". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 October 1914. p. 8355.
- ^ "No. 29242". The London Gazette. 27 July 1915. p. 7331.
- ^ "No. 29723". The London Gazette. 25 August 1916. p. 8399.
- ^ "No. 30314". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 September 1917. p. 10116.
- ^ "No. 30473". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 January 1918. p. 782.
- ^ "No. 30761". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 June 1918. p. 7418.
- ^ "No. 31147". The London Gazette. 28 January 1919. p. 1372.
- ^ "No. 31196". The London Gazette. 21 February 1919. p. 2616.
- ^ "No. 31399". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 June 1919. p. 7517.
- ^ "46th Squadron Annual Dinner". Flight. XIII (639): 215. 24 March 1921. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
- ^ "Reunions". Flight. XXXV (1579): 320. 30 March 1939. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
Bibliography[edit]
- Shores, Christopher F.; Franks, Norman & Guest, Russell F. (1990). Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920. London, UK: Grub Street. ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9.