Roy Oswald Cambell

[Simon Birch]

While going through 65 Squadron files etc I found the following from the London Gazette and cannot imagine how brave you would have to be to do this.

22025 Sjt. R. O. Campbell, R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Whilst acting as observer to another N.C.O. he and his comrade performed a most daring and successful photographic reconnaissance for the purpose of confirming information they had already obtained re-specting the working of hostile kite balloons. During this operation they were heavily fired upon, and their machine put completely out of control, but with wonderful coolness and presence of mind they righted the machine, JSerjt. Campbell climbing on to the extreme tip of the wing in order to do' so.

2nd Lt Campbell was also awarded the Belgian Groix de Guerre but was KIA 27/09/1918 and is remembered at Harlebeke.

Simon

[deanstalton]

The King has been pleased to approve of the award of the

Distinguished Conduct Medal to the following for acts of

gallantry and devotion to duty in the field :—

22025 Sergt. R. O. CAMPBELL, R.F.C.

Taken From Flighgtglobal Archives

Dean

[KevinBattle]

Simon, braver than me, but then in the circumstances, what choice was there? If they could see what the problem was causing them to lose control, one had to stay at the controls while the other fixed it.... no parachute, so either they controlled the aircraft or they were going down..... Still, an incredibly brave act, which was at least recognised by a DCM....

[Simon Birch]

Simon, braver than me, but then in the circumstances, what choice was there? If they could see what the problem was causing them to lose control, one had to stay at the controls while the other fixed it.... no parachute, so either they controlled the aircraft or they were going down..... Still, an incredibly brave act, which was at least recognised by a DCM....

I think it is a difficult question as to what choice they had.

Option 1 is always do nothing and take the gamble.

Option 2 appears in this case to climb out of a flimsy aircraft, climb along a wing, made from canvas and wood, fix what ever needed doing, and climb back, hoping all the time that the slipsteam did not send you to Valhalla.

I think it is nothing short of remarkable in the true sense of the word.

Simon

[per ardua per mare per terram]

The implication from the citation seems to be that they were also still under enemy fire at the time. I'd say that it was very distinguised conduct, not to say even valourous.