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McConnell, Roy Kirkwood DFC (Squadron Leader RCAF)

Survived 1917-November-11

Male Head

Birth Date: unkown date (age 61)

Born: Victoria B.C.

Thomas P. McConnell & Emily Charlotte Kirkwood

Florence May Inselman

Home: Victoria, British Columbia

Enlistment Date: 1917-02-01

Decorations: DFC


Distinguished Service Cross
Service
RAF
Unit
46 (F) Sqn- Squadron (RFC)
Rank
Lieutenant
Marshal
Air Chief MarshalA/C/M
Air MarshalA/M
Air Vice MarshalA/V/M
Air CommodoreA/C
Group CaptainG/C
Wing CommanderW/C
Squadron LeaderS/L
Flight LieutenantF/L
Flying OfficerF/O
Pilot OfficerP/O
Warrant Officer 1st ClassWO1
Warrant Officer 2nd ClassWO2
Flight SergeantFS
SergeantSGT
CorporalCPL
Senior AircraftmanSAC
Leading AircraftmanLAC
Aircraftman 1st ClassAC1
Aircraftman 2nd ClassAC2
Position
pilot
Service Numbers
18381
McConnell joined the RFC in February of 1917 but remained in Canada until August, 1917 (16 months). The reason for this is not known. In September, 1917 he was at No.34 TS at Turnhill, in England for training. He joined 46 Squadron RFC on 1917-11-11 and was there for ten months. He scored his 1st victory on 1918-03-23. In the following six months he scored 6 more confirmed victories over enemy aircraft. On 1918-09-17 he was posted to Home Establishment. In WWII he enlisted in the RCAF and rose to the rank of Squadron Leader. He occupied senior positions at five training Squadrons during the war. He was medically discharged in April, 1945.

Sopwith Camel

By unknown RAF photographer - gallery link image link, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8473883

The Sopwith Camel became the most successful British fighter of the First World War. The Sopwith F.1 and 2F.1 Camel first went into operations on the Western Front in 1917 and then served in virtually every theatre of Royal Flying Corps (RFC), Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) and Royal Air Force (RAF) service. Several Canadian aces used the Camel as their mount. The Camel was very manoeuvrable, and it could be tricky to fly in the hands of a novice pilot. For experienced pilots, however, the aircraft proved to be a superb fighter.

The Camel's machine-guns were mounted on the forward fuselage with their breeches enclosed in a faired metal cowling "hump" that gave the Camel its name. Several Camels were also shipped to Canada in the post-war period as part of an Imperial gift. Three registered Sopwith F.1 Camels entered service with the RCAF at Camp Borden in 1924. The following year, the RCAF purchased seven additional aircraft to provide further spares for the active aircraft. These latter aircraft were in fact 2F.1 models that had been "navalized" variants. Used primarily by wartime experienced fighter pilots for refresher training, the Camels lasted another five years before finally being scrapped. Wikipedia

YouTube Sopwith Camel

Wkikpedia Wikipedia Sopwith Camel

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Kestrek Publications Sopwith Camel - Kestrel Publications

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (10), Canadian Aircraft Losses (41)
last update: 2021-12-21 00:32:56

Camel D6693

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