Ernest Davies (aviator)

Captain Ernest Edgar Davies DFC (18 March 1890 – 23 January 1962) was an Australian First World War flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.[1]

Ernest Edgar Davies
Born(1890-03-18)18 March 1890
Kerang, Victoria, Australia
Died23 January 1962(1962-01-23) (aged 71)
Bairnsdale, Victoria, Australia
AllegianceAustralia
Service/branchAustralian Army
Years of service1915–1919
RankCaptain
Unit4th Light Horse Regiment
No. 2 Squadron AFC
Battles/warsWorld War I
 • Western Front
AwardsDistinguished Flying Cross
Other workSolicitor

Early life and background

Davies was born in Kerang, Victoria, the son of John Herbert Davies.[1] He graduated Master of Laws from University of Melbourne,[2] and was admitted as a solicitor of the state in June 1914.[3]

World War I

In November 1915 Davies enlisted into the 4th Light Horse Regiment at Seymour. He later transferred to the Australian Flying Corps and after flight training at RAAF Laverton, was commissioned as a lieutenant in May 1917. Davies sailed for England in June 1917, and was appointed a flying officer in the British Royal Flying Corps in December. He served with No. 2 Squadron AFC in France from early 1918.[2]

Flying a S.E.5a single-seat fighter Davies accounted for seven enemy aircraft between 27 August and 4 November, sharing two with Captain Eric Douglas Cummings.[1] On 3 June 1919 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross "in recognition of distinguished services rendered during the war".[4]

List of aerial victories
Combat record[1]
No. Date/Time Aircraft/
Serial No.		 Opponent Result Location Notes
127 August 1918
@ 1055		S.E.5a
(D6860)		Fokker D.VIIDestroyedSouth of Douai—Lécluse
215 September 1918
@ 1720		S.E.5a
(D6860)		Albatros CDestroyedWest of MacquartShared with Captain Eric Douglas Cummings.
31 October 1918
@ 0925		S.E.5a
(D6860)		COut of controlLigny
41 October 1918
@ 1415		S.E.5a
(E5765)		LVG COut of controlAntoingShared with Captain Eric Douglas Cummings.
54 November 1918
@ 0810		S.E.5a
(E5765)		LVG CDestroyedEllezelles—Ronse
64 November 1918
@ 1300		S.E.5a
(E5765)		Fokker D.VIIOut of controlHoutaing
7Fokker D.VIIOut of control

Post-war life

Davies returned to Australia in late 1919 and returned to his legal practice, initially based at Swan Hill, and then from Bank Place, Melbourne from the 1930s.[2] He continued to fly, but suffered the embarrassment of being fined £50 in August 1932 for flying after having allowed his aircraft registration and flying licence to expire.[5]

On 23 January 1962 fishing equipment was found on the banks of the Mitchell River at Bairnsdale. After a search the bodies of Davies and his secretary Mrs. Grace Stewart were discovered in the river. It was assumed that both drowned after one fell into the water and the other attempted a rescue.[6]

References
  1. "Ernest Edgar Davies". The Aerodrome. 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  2. "Ernest Edgar Davies" (PDF). Supreme Court of Victoria. 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  3. "Personal". The Sydney Morning Herald (23887). Sydney, New South Wales. 31 July 1914. p. 8. Retrieved 16 June 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "No. 31378". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 May 1919. p. 7031.
  5. "Air Pilot Fined £50". The Argus (26845). Melbourne, Victoria. 30 August 1932. p. 8. Retrieved 16 June 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "Two Drowned While Fishing". The Canberra Times. 36 (10130). Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. 23 January 1962. p. 7. Retrieved 16 June 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
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