Cecil Lewis – Sopwith Camel

Kev,

I’ve lost the ‘plot’ a bit here, but if it is 56 Squadron related they have a Squadron Association http://www.56sqnfirebirds.org.uk/index.htm plus they have a small Squadron History Room at RAF Waddington. I worked with them on a squadron history story a few years back, and they were very helpful; a former squadron member is also heavily involved with Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire.

TO23: He’s looking for Camels: thus 39 HD Sqn, 44 HD Sqn, 61 Sqn or 152 Sqn.

Kev,

I’ve lost the ‘plot’ a bit here, but if it is 56 Squadron related they have a Squadron Association http://www.56sqnfirebirds.org.uk/index.htm plus they have a small Squadron History Room at RAF Waddington. I worked with them on a squadron history story a few years back, and they were very helpful; a former squadron member is also heavily involved with Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire.

His RFC service post-flight training:

23 Sqn 17Feb16
22Sqn 09Mar16
9 Sqn 15Apr16
3 Sqn 15May16
Home Establishment 27Nov16
Test Sqn 08Dec16
56 Sqn 17Mar17 (SE.5)
39 HD Sqn 27Jul17 (SE.5/Camel)
44 HD Sqn 30Jul17 (1-1/2 Strutter/Camel)
50 HD Sqn 04Sep17 (BE.2e/AW FK.8)
61 Sqn (07Nov17?) (Pup/SE.5/Camel)
152 Sqn 22Oct18 (Camel)
Home Establishment 26Dec18
Vickers 09Jan19

According to The Aerodrome, his kills with 56 were all aboard one SE.5:

1 05 May 1917 1845-1945 56 S.E.5 (A4853) Albatros D.III (OOC) Montigny
2 07 May 1917 0930 56 S.E.5 (A4853) C (OOC) S of Lens
3 07 May 1917 1830-1900 56 S.E.5 (A4853) Albatros D.III (OOC) 1 N of Cambrai
4 11 May 1917 0600-0810 56 S.E.5 (A4853) Albatros D.III (OOC) Pont a Vendin
5 23 May 1917 1555-1810 56 S.E.5 (A4853) Albatros C (OOC) Beaumont
6 27 May 1917 1900-2000 56 S.E.5 (A4853) Albatros D.III (OOC) E of Bugnicourt
7 07 Jun 1917 1200-1230 56 S.E.5 (A4853) Albatros D.III (OOC) Wervicq
8 17 Jun 1917 0845-0930 56 S.E.5 (A4853) Albatros D.III (OOC) Haubourdin

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Some 56 Sqn records of events at the National Archives (but generally 1st April onwards) which would be a good start for ascertaining other aircraft s/n which he flew. Ditto his Camel units (39 HD Sqn, 44 HD Sqn, 61 Sqn and 152 Sqn).

On a quick scan Camel nightfighters seem to have been green (Nivo?)

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=night+fighter+sopwith+camel&biw=1526&bih=426&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjAitaj3NbKAhXGzxQKHff0DMMQsAQIKg

NIVO was primarily post war – more likley to have jusy been PC10.

Good reference

http://www.windsockdatafilespecials.co.uk/sopwith-camel-squadrons-41-p.asp

152 was a night fighter unit in 1918 – I wonder were they black?

Moggy

On a quick scan Camel nightfighters seem to have been green (Nivo?)

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=night+fighter+sopwith+camel&biw=1526&bih=426&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjAitaj3NbKAhXGzxQKHff0DMMQsAQIKg

152 was a night fighter unit in 1918 – I wonder were they black?

Moggy

Ah ok. So I just need any colour scheme for a camel he flew.

Thanks

Ok. I think I might have got this wrong. He did fly Camels?

Yes, but seemingly with 44, 61 and 152 squadrons, if Wikipedia is to be believed.

Ok. I think I might have got this wrong. He did fly Camels?

For a project I am currently looking at, can anyone enlighten me to the colour scheme of any Camel he flew with 56 Squadron in 1918.

Any help would be appreciated.

Regards,

kev35

Were 56 not equipped with SE5s during WWI?