63-562: Louis Arbon Strange , DSO , OBE , MC , DFC & Bar (27 July 1891 – 15 November 1966) was an English aviator , who served in both World War I and World War II . Louis Strange was born in Tarrant Keyneston , Dorset , and was educated at St Edward's School , Oxford , joining the school's contingent of the Dorset Yeomanry . Strange spent his childhood at Tarrant Keynstone Mill on
126-666: A 7-victory ace and a captain in No. 40 Squadron , was killed in action. On 1 August 1919 Strange was granted a permanent commission in the Royal Air Force with the rank of major, resigning his commission in the Dorsetshire Regiment the same day. On 1 November 1919 he was promoted from squadron leader to wing commander. Strange retired from the service through ill health (sciatica) on 24 February 1921. He bought 1,300 acres (5.3 km) of farmland at Worth Matravers on
189-659: A cable fitted in the cockpit. He dropped these bombs on Kortrijk railway station, from a height of no more than 150 feet (46 m), causing 75 casualties and closing the station for three days. Subsequently, on 27 March, he was awarded the Military Cross , which he received from the King at Buckingham Palace on 9 December 1915. While with No. 6 Squadron, Strange was a compatriot of Captain Lanoe Hawker . The squadron became pioneers of many aspects in military aviation at
252-616: A case of 'a high degree of gallantry just short of deserving the Victoria Cross '. In either case, being ' Mentioned in Dispatches ' was a pre-condition for the award of a DSO. A requirement that the order could be given only to someone mentioned in despatches was removed in 1943. Since 1993, reflecting the review of the British honours system which recommended removing distinctions of rank in respect of operational awards,
315-485: A daughter of the author William Mudford , who by the time of Sophia's baptism was living at Harrington Square. Sophia and Thomas were married at St George's Hanover Square Church London, on 31 August 1868. Henri trained as a painter at the École des Beaux Arts , but soon became interested in the new mechanical inventions that were appearing at the end of the 19th century. He was able to pursue this interest as an amateur sportsman. He took part in cycle races from
378-458: A field of corn, which luckily ripped the detonator from the jammed bomb. On 16 February 1915 he was appointed a flight commander with the acting rank of captain, and posted to No. 6 Squadron . On 10 March, the first day of the battle of Neuve Chapelle , Strange carried out one of the first tactical bombing missions of the war. He had modified his B.E.2c to carry four 20 lb (9.1 kg) bombs on wing racks which could be released by pulling
441-550: A high degree of gallantry, just short of deserving the Victoria Cross . Whilst normally given for service under fire or under conditions equivalent to service in actual combat with the enemy, a number of awards made between 1914 and 1916 were under circumstances not under fire, often to staff officers , causing resentment among front-line officers. After 1 January 1917, commanders in the field were instructed to recommend this award only for those serving under fire. From 1916, ribbon bars could be authorised for subsequent awards of
504-413: A machine powered plane, and ordered a Voisin 1907 biplane on 1 June 1907. He used this aircraft to set many official records for both distance and duration. On 26 October 1907, at Issy-les-Moulineaux , France, he made flights, among others, of 363, 403, and 771 metres in the plane. And he also started to turn the plane in the air on this date. The distance of 771 metres was completed in 52 seconds. It
567-603: A regular commission, on 18 April 1940 Strange returned to military service as a 50-year-old pilot officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve . He was posted to No. 24 Squadron , the RAF's only transport and communications services squadron at that time. On 21 May 1940 Strange arrived in Merville in northern France as No. 24 Squadron's Aerodrome Control Officer. The airfield had been evacuated by
630-524: A squadron commander he held the acting-rank of major, to which he was appointed on 5 November, the day he married his wife, Marjorie. Due to appendicitis Strange handed over command in March 1916. Strange then established No. 1 School of Air Gunnery at Hythe in Kent, with the acting-rank of lieutenant-colonel, and formed No. 2 School of Air Gunnery at Turnberry . On 1 April 1917 he became Assistant Commandant at
693-583: A successful partnership. On 31 January 1895, at the Vélodrome d'Hiver , the Farman brothers broke the tandem bicycle record, covering 44.906 kilometres in an hour. They announced their retirement from cycling in November 1896. At around the same time as his brother Maurice, Henri discovered motor racing . On 17 February 1901, he won the light car class (400 – 650 kg) Grand Prix du Palais d'Hiver, of
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#1732801207017756-455: A tree. Many onlookers believed he had been killed. But Henri was unharmed, came down from the tree and smoked a cigarette. He believed his car had ended up at the bottom of a ravine after this accident, but was not certain about the final destination of it. He started practicing in 1907 with a homemade biplane glider on the sandhills of Le Touquet , after first experimenting with model aeroplanes of different sizes. Henri then decided he wanted
819-553: Is a military decoration of the United Kingdom , as well as formerly of other parts of the Commonwealth , awarded for operational gallantry for highly successful command and leadership during active operations, typically in actual combat. Since 1993 it has been awarded specifically for "highly successful command and leadership during active operations", with all ranks being eligible. It is a level 2A decoration (order) in
882-598: The Blackpool Aviation Week , Britain's first air show , at which he won over £2000 in prizes. In partnership with his two brothers Maurice and Richard (Dick) , he built a highly successful and innovative aircraft manufacturing plant. Their 1914 model was used extensively for artillery observation and reconnaissance during World War I. The Farman Aircraft company's Goliath was the first long-distance passenger airliner , beginning regular Paris-London ( Croydon Airport ) flights on 8 February 1919. He
945-632: The British system of military decorations . Instituted on 6 September 1886 by Queen Victoria in a royal warrant published in The London Gazette on 9 November, the first DSOs awarded were dated 25 November 1886. The order was established to reward individual instances of meritorious or distinguished service in war. It was a military order, until recently for officers only and typically awarded to officers ranked major (or equivalent) or higher, with awards to ranks below this usually for
1008-649: The Central Flying School , graded as a wing commander and retaining his acting rank. On 26 June 1918 Strange was selected to command the newly formed 80th Wing . During the next five months he was to be awarded both the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Distinguished Service Order . His wing of Sopwith Camels , S.E.5s , DH.9s and Bristol Fighters launched massed raids on the enemy airfields, reducing
1071-604: The Circuit du sud-ouest. Maurice Farman won the heavy car class of the race. On 29 May 1901, Henri took part in the Paris-Bordeaux race and finished in seventh place. This was an open-entry race held concurrently with the 1901 Gordon Bennett Cup , and over the same course. Fifth place was taken in the 1901 Paris to Berlin Race. Henri won the heavy class section of the 1902 Paris - Vienna race. Marcel Renault came first in
1134-509: The Commonwealth . The following received the DSO and three bars ( i.e., were awarded the DSO four times): Henry Farman Henri Farman (26 May 1874 – 17 July 1958 ) was a British-French aviator and aircraft designer and manufacturer with his brother Maurice Farman . Before dedicating himself to aviation he gained fame as a sportsman, specifically in cycling and motor racing. Henri acquired French nationality in 1937. Henri Farman
1197-583: The Farman III , first flew in April 1909. It was an immediate success and widely imitated. In 1909, he opened a flying school at Châlons-sur-Marne at which George Bertram Cockburn was the first pupil. In this same year he made further record breaking flights. One of 180 kilometres in just over 3 hours, at Reims on 27 August. And one of 232 kilometres in 4 hours 17 minutes and 53 seconds, at Mourmelon-le-Grand on 3 November. In October 1909 he appeared at
1260-472: The Isle of Purbeck , and worked them over the next seven years, helping to restore his health. Strange operated a dairy farm with his brother Jack Ronald Stuart Strange, but the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent on 15 October 1928 with Jack Strange taking over the business. By the late 1920s Strange had become a director and chief pilot of Simmonds Aircraft Limited and remained a director when it became
1323-672: The Lord Mayor greeted him. To reach Strange's hand, the man stood on a bracing wire to the landing gear, damaging it. On take-off to return south, the wire snapped, smashing the Bleriot's propeller and the machine was damaged, putting him out of the race. On 30 July 1914 Strange was formally commissioned for service in the Regular Army as a second lieutenant in the Dorsetshire Regiment , but remained on attachment to
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#17328012070171386-569: The Merchant Ship Fighter Unit (MSFU) was established at RAF Speke near Liverpool, and Strange was appointed as commanding officer. The MSFU was charged with the development of the CAM ship for the catapult-launching of Hurricanes for convoy defence. A catapult for training volunteer pilots was erected at the airfield. With insufficient aircraft carriers available, there was the so-called " Air Gap " within which merchant shipping
1449-797: The River Stour . His family farmed 600 acres (2.4 km) at Spetisbury in Dorset. He had seen military aircraft and the airship Beta flying over Dorset during the summer manoeuvres of 1912 when serving with the Dorsetshire Yeomanry and determined in May 1913 to become a pilot. He joined the Ewen School of flying at Hendon Aerodrome in July and gained his Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificate, No. 575, on 5 August. On 8 October 1913 he
1512-891: The Spartan Aircraft Company . He was also a director of the Whitney Straight Corporation . Strange flew company aircraft in several competitions, including the Simmonds Spartan G-AAGN in the 1929 King's Cup Air Race , and the Simmonds Spartan G-AAMG in a 45-mile (72 km) handicap race from Woodley to Hanworth and back, at the Reading Air Fete in June 1930, coming 2nd with an average speed of 99 miles per hour (159 km/h). Too old for
1575-532: The "Upside Down Club" by performing a loop . His posting to the sixth course of instruction at the RFC's Central Flying School at Upavon , Wiltshire , came in May 1914. There he was retrained to fly B.E.2b and B.E.8 military aircraft. On 20 June he took part in a Hendon –Birmingham–Manchester and return air race at the controls of an 80 hp (60 kW) Gnome powered Bleriot monoplane , being first to arrive at Trafford Park Aerodrome , Manchester , where
1638-562: The 1990s most, including Canada , Australia and New Zealand , were establishing their own honours systems and no longer recommended British honours. Recipients of the order are officially known as Companions of the Distinguished Service Order, and are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "DSO". All awards are announced in The London Gazette . From 1918 to 2017, the Distinguished Service Order
1701-508: The 75 miles (121 km) route; the Daily Express sponsored South Coast Race on 16 September 1950, coming in 54th out of 61 entrants; and the 1950 Daily Express Challenge Air Trophy, at the age of 59, being the oldest of the 76 competitors. He continued to fly regularly and died peacefully in his sleep in 1966, aged 75. In recognition of the high esteem in which he was held in the RAF and his important contribution to military aviation,
1764-519: The British lines. On 25 December 1914 Strange flew to the German-held airfield at Lille and, as a Christmas Day prank, bombed it with footballs. Strange next turned his talents to developing a bomb chute with Lieutenant Euan Rabagliati . Attempting to drop 7-pound shrapnel bombs through a steel tube set in the floor of the Avro 504, one bomb jammed in the tube and prompted a forced landing through
1827-568: The DSO has been open to all ranks, with the award criteria redefined as "highly successful command and leadership during active operations". At the same time, the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross was introduced as the second-highest award for gallantry. Despite some very fierce campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, the DSO has yet to be awarded to a non-commissioned rank. The DSO had also been awarded by Commonwealth countries but by
1890-592: The DSO, worn on the ribbon of the original award. In 1942, the award was extended to officers of the Merchant Navy who had performed acts of gallantry whilst under enemy attack. Prior to 1943, the DSO could be awarded to only commissioned officers of the Lieutenant-Colonel rank and above, for 'meritorious or distinguished service in wartime' under conditions of actual combat. If awarded to an officer ranking below Lieutenant-Colonel, it had to be
1953-473: The RAF fighter squadron stationed there and No. 24 Squadron were tasked with saving what aircraft and equipment they could. Two fighters were patched up and flown back to England. All remaining Hurricanes had been cannibalised, leaving one in flying condition. With no pilot available, Strange took off in an aircraft type he had never flown before, unarmed, and with most of the instruments missing. Anti-aircraft fire forced Strange up to 8,000 feet (2,400 m) and
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2016-551: The Royal Flying Corps, in which he was appointed a flying officer the same day. In August 1914 he was despatched to join his first operational unit, No. 5 Squadron RFC , based at Gosport , Hampshire . On 15/16 August – despite severe weather and a damaged longeron – he flew his Farman aircraft via Dover and over the English Channel to Amiens and then to the unit's new base at Maubeuge , France, being
2079-597: The Squadron Briefing Room in the new No. 23 Squadron Headquarters building, which was officially opened by the AOC-in-C Strike Command on 2 April 1997, was named "The Strange Room". His daughter, Susan Strange , was an eminent British scholar in international relations. Lieut.-Col. Louis Arbon Strange, M.C., D.F.C. For his exceptional services in organising his wing and his brilliant leadership on low bombing raids this officer
2142-620: The age of fourteen, and started winning some races. Brother Maurice Farman also began cycle racing at the same age and started winning prizes. Henri became a championship cyclist, and won the Paris - Clermont-Ferrand race on 6 June 1892. On 6 October 1892 he won the French Championship, at the Vélodrome Buffalo in Paris, over a distance of 100 kilometres. On 25 June 1893, Henri went by bicycle from Paris to Madrid with
2205-434: The aircraft only 500 feet above the ground. Strange later related: He safely returned to base, but was criticised by his CO for "causing unnecessary damage" to his instrument panel and seat in his efforts to regain the cockpit. The squadron's log book simply noted: "the squadron was fortunate in its personnel." On 21 September 1915 Louis Strange was appointed to form and command No. 23 Squadron RFC at Gosport , Hampshire. As
2268-621: The break-out from Normandy, Strange personally 'liberated' Château Lillois, 24 years after he had been the first to announce the departure of the Germans from there in 1918. In October 1944 Strange served with the HQ, 1st Allied Airborne Army . He was also at SHAEF Forward Headquarters in Reims on 6–7 May 1945 to witness negotiations to the German surrender on all fronts. Strange eventually retired from
2331-404: The convoys of German troops and transport north of St. Quentin; the results "sent us home very well pleased with ourselves". In October 1914 Strange invented a safety strap allowing the observer of his Avro 504 to "stand up and fire all round over top of plane and behind". He also designed and fitted a machine gun mounting to the 504, consisting of a crossbar between the central struts over which
2394-419: The deterrent effect was even more important. In September 1941 he was posted as Commanding Officer, RAF Valley , although illness prevented him from fulfilling the post. From August 1942 until the end of the year he served with Group HQ at Uxbridge . Three months as Commanding Officer at RAF Hawkinge followed before a transfer to No. 12 Group HQ as a supplementary squadron leader. In December 1943 Strange
2457-481: The effectiveness of German aerial response. Between 1 July and 11 November the seven squadrons under Strange's command (including Nos. 88 , 92 , 103 , 2 AFC & 4 AFC ) – the latter two of which were from the Australian Flying Corps – destroyed or drove 'down out of control' some 449 German aircraft, as well as 23 balloons . On 24 September 1918 Louis' younger brother Gilbert John Strange,
2520-592: The first cross-country flight in Europe. Henri flew from his hangars at Camp de Châlons , Bouy , to Reims , landing at the cavalry ground. It was a distance of 27 kilometres. By early 1909, Farman fell out with Gabriel Voisin because Voisin had sold an aircraft that had been built to Farman's specifications to J.T.C. Moore-Brabazon . This aircraft was named the Bird of Passage by Brabazon. So Henri started manufacturing aircraft to his own design. The first of these,
2583-495: The general classification of this race. He took third place in the 1903 Gordon Bennett Cup. He had an accident during the elimination trials for the 1905 Gordon Bennett Cup, on 16 June, over the hilly Auvergne circuit. While on the last round of this circuit, descending the Clermont Ferrand hill, on one of the turns in that descent, his car skidded. Henri and his chauffeur were lifted from the car, and ended up on top of
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2646-494: The journalist, author, and French cyclist Edouard de Perrodil. Edouard had written an account of this journey, and a book was published by MM. C. Marpon and Flammarion, titled Vélo ! Toro! Paris-Madrid bicyclette en 1893, which included drawings by Farman. They were received by the French Ambassador, among others upon reaching Madrid. He then took part in tandem races with his brother Maurice Farman , forming
2709-403: The last of the squadron to arrive. Strange soon adapted his Farman to carry a Lewis machine gun , improvising a mounting to the top of the observer's nacelle . His first armed encounter with the enemy came on 22 August when six enemy aircraft appeared at 5,000 feet over the airfield at Maubeuge. He took off in his Farman with Lieutenant L. Penn-Gaskell as gunner in the front cockpit to intercept
2772-476: The lone fighter was then attacked by several Bf 109s . Surprised by the sound of machine-gun fire, Strange dived the Hurricane to tree-top height and successfully escaped. A month later he was awarded a bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross . On 21 June 1940, Squadron Leader Strange was appointed commanding officer of the newly created Central Landing School (CLS) at RAF Ringway near Manchester. This unit
2835-452: The new arrangement and attacked a German Aviatik two-seater. In order to change the empty drum on the Lewis, Strange had to stand up in the cockpit. Immediately the machine flipped on its back, throwing Strange from the cockpit and developing a flat spin downwards. Strange, hanging onto the ammunition drum of the Lewis gun, managed to swing back into the cockpit and kick the stick over to right
2898-458: The occasion when he dropped three bombs from a height of only 200 feet on the railway junction at Courtrai; whilst being assailed by heavy rifle fire. Lieut.-Col. Louis Arbon Strange, M.C. (Dorset R). To this officer must be given the main credit of the complete success attained in two recent bombing raids on important enemy aerodromes. In organising these raids his careful attention to detail and well thought-out plans were most creditable. During
2961-498: The operations themselves his gallantry in attack and fine leadership inspired all those taking part. Pilot Officer Louis Arbon Strange, D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C. (78522), R.A.F. Volunteer Reserve. Pilot Officer Strange was detailed to proceed from Hendon to Merville to act as ground control officer during the arrival and departure of various aircraft carrying food supplies. He displayed great skill and determination whilst under heavy bombing attacks and machine-gun fire at Merville, where he
3024-572: The patrolling Germans, but with inconclusive results as the laden aircraft would not climb above 3,500 feet (1,100 m). The next few days saw a general Allied retreat and the squadron had to move base several times, whilst Strange and his fellow pilots continued their observation and light bombing sorties. Less than two weeks after arriving in France Strange's inventive brain designed home-made petrol bombs that on 28 August he and his observer dropped by hand from their Henry Farman biplane onto
3087-844: The service in June 1945. For his wartime contribution Strange was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire on 1 January 1945, and was awarded the American Bronze Star Medal in early 1946. He returned to farming but continued his links with civil aviation. He bought the Taylorcraft Auster Plus D light aircraft G-AHCR and flew it in several competitions, including the Wiltshire Flying Club's Thruxton Cup Race on 26 August 1950, averaging 103 miles per hour (166 km/h) over
3150-403: The time, driven largely by the imagination of Strange and the engineering talents of Hawker. Their talents led to various mountings for Lewis machine guns, one of which won Hawker the Victoria Cross , and one that nearly cost Strange his life. Having equipped his Martinsyde S.1 scout with a Lewis gun mounted on the top wing above the cockpit, on 10 May 1915 Strange sought out the enemy to try out
3213-503: The vicinity of the aerodrome. While thus engaged he saw eight Fokkers flying above him ; at once he climbed and attacked them single-handed; having driven one down out of control he was fiercely engaged by the other seven, but he maintained the combat until rescued by a patrol of our scouts. Second Lieutenant (temporary Captain) L. A. Strange, The Dorsetshire Regiment and Royal Flying Corps. For gallantry and ability on reconnaissance and other duties on numerous occasions, especially on
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#17328012070173276-405: Was also the first biplane in Europe to fly a circular circuit of 1 kilometre, over a predetermined course, on 13 January 1908. This again occurred at Issy-les-Moulineaux , France, and won Henri the 50,000 franc Grand Prix d'Aviation offered by Henri Deutsch de la Meurthe . And on 21 March 1908, at the same place, he made a flight of 2.004 kilometres. On 30 October 1908, Farman went on to make
3339-584: Was awarded approximately 16,935 times, in addition to 1,910 bars. The figures to 1979 are laid out in the table below, the dates reflecting the relevant entries in the London Gazette : In addition, approximately 90 DSOs were awarded between 1980 and 2017, including awards for the Falklands and the wars in the Gulf , Iraq and Afghanistan , in addition to three bars. The above figures include awards to
3402-626: Was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross not long ago. Since then, by his fine example and inspiring personal influence, he has raised his wing to still higher efficiency and morale, the enthusiasm displayed by the various squadrons for low-flying raids being most marked. On 30th October he accompanied one of these raids against an aerodrome; watching the work of his machines, he waited until they had finished and then dropped his bombs from one hundred feet altitude on hangars that were undamaged; he then attacked troops and transport in
3465-576: Was born in Paris, France, and was baptised as Harry Edgar Mudford Farman. He was a son of Thomas Frederick Farman, the Paris correspondent of the London Standard . His father was born in 1845 at Layer Marney , Essex, England. His mother, Sophia Ann Louisa Mudford, was born in Canterbury , Kent, on 9 September 1841. She was baptised on 16 July 1844 at St Pancras Old Church in London, and was
3528-583: Was charged with the initiation, development and organisation of the UK's sole parachute training facility, and which later pioneered the parachute training curriculum of the Allied airborne forces. The unit was later redesignated No.1 Parachute Training School RAF (PTS). Using the techniques developed under Strange, the PTS trained over 60,000 Allied personnel and paratroopers at Ringway between 1940 and 1946. On 5 May 1941,
3591-681: Was commissioned as a second lieutenant (on probation) in the Royal Flying Corps ( Special Reserve ). Just after obtaining his licence he won his first cross-country race and then won the Hendon March Meeting 17-mile (27 km) race, beating his old instructor into second place. In the latter part of 1913 and early 1914, Strange flew many hours from Hendon, instructing trainee pilots. On 4 April 1914 he appeared in Flight magazine as one of five pilots who had recently joined
3654-694: Was made a chevalier of the French Légion d'honneur in 1919. Along with Maurice, he retired in 1937 when the French Popular Front government nationalised the aircraft industry; Farman's company becoming part of the Societe Nationale de Constructions Aeronautiques du Centre . Henry Farman took French nationality in 1937. He died in Paris on 17 July 1958 and is buried in the Cimetière de Passy in Paris. In 1988, Farman
3717-586: Was out of reach of land-based aircraft on both sides of the Atlantic. As the predatory Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condors could therefore operate with impunity, fighters launched by catapult from merchant ships were felt to be a potentially effective response. About 50 Hurricane Mk.Is were modified by General Aircraft for catapult launch and 35 merchantmen were configured to carry catapults, with the first Atlantic crossings in April 1941. The Catapult Aircraft Merchantmen (CAM) and their so-called "Hurricats" soon proved their worth: Seven Condors were destroyed through 1941–43, while
3780-408: Was posted to No. 46 Group as Wing Commander , Operations. There he assisted in the planning for Operation Overlord , landing in Normandy himself on 15 June. He had six airstrips under his control in the expanding beachhead as this time. He was also responsible for the control and administration of a series of Temporary Staging Posts (TSP) supporting the Allied campaign. During the advance that followed
3843-499: Was responsible for the repair and successful despatch of two aircraft to England. In the last remaining aircraft, which was repaired under his supervision, he returned to Hendon, in spite of being repeatedly attacked by Messerschmitts until well out to sea. He had no guns in action and had never flown this type of aircraft previously, but his brilliant piloting enabled him to return with this much needed aircraft. Distinguished Service Order The Distinguished Service Order ( DSO )
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#17328012070173906-425: Was slung a rope, allowing the Lewis to be pulled up into a position from which the observer, seating in the front cockpit, could fire backwards over Strange's head. On 22 November 1914 it was with this arrangement that Strange claimed his first victory; with Lieutenant F. Small as gunner, he attacked an Aviatik two-seater and forced it down from over Armentières to make a bumpy landing in a ploughed field just behind
3969-417: Was the longest flight in the world that year, and won Farman the Ernest Archdeacon Cup. He made a complete circular flight of 1,030 metres, in 1 minute 14 seconds on 10 November 1907 at Issy. This was the first time that a European aeroplane had completed a full circle. And the first time that an aeroplane, other than a Wright brothers one, had stayed in the air for longer than a minute. The Voisin-Farman I
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