Capt D V Armstrong and 78 Squadron

[Annette Carson]

I am a newcomer to this great forum, currently researching the career of D V Armstrong for a biographical tribute, and fortunately I have gathered a reasonable amount of information. I've now reached 78 Squadron, which he joined in January 1918, followed by appointment as Captain and Flight Commander of 'A' Flight with the squadron in March 1918 (as I understand it). But I can't seem to sort out which squadron personnel he actually served with and which other Flight Commanders. I think this is because 78 was already at Sutton's Farm in 1917 and the personnel must naturally have continued fluctuating during his posting. In his photo album is a well known 78 Sqdn group photo with DVA's red painted machine 'Doris' in the background and signatures underneath: it shows 18 men, 17 of them pilots (it would be nice to identify No. 9, who isn't ...). From your greater knowledge, could anyone please advise me whether those 17 pilots constituted more or less the full squadron strength at that time? Even better, does anyone know the date when the photo was taken? I shall try to attach the photo - if it doesn't appear, I will clearly have failed!

Thanks to all who have any help to offer

Annette Carson

P.S. Not sure about adding Tags - can anyone advise?

[fetubi]

Annette,

 

That's a great photo. I've got another really good one of Armstrong whilst with 60 Squadron - I'd be happy to share it.  It's in my book.  I'll send you an email.

 

I came across his grave in some research I was doing over the weekend - so sad that such a brilliant pilot died like that.  He was legendary.

 

Trevor

 

PS And well done on finding Richard III!

 

 

[Annette Carson]

Thanks, Trevor. Frank Cheesman helped me identify all those 78 Sqdn pilots but we were stumped by number 9 who doesn't have pilot's wings.

 

Made contact with DVA's nephew when I was in South Africa and got reproductions of photos in his album which I was given permission to use for a biography, but couldn't get a publisher at the time - nowadays things are so much easier, but his nephew is deceased and we don't know where the album went. We're still following up leads, but meanwhile any photos of decent quality would be gratefully received: infoATannettecarson.co.uk replacing 'AT' with @ of course. You can have a copy of the group photo if you'd like.

 

The biography may never be published, but it's intended as a tribute and to be shared with anyone interested. I have around 20,000 words already, plus photographs, so it's coming along.

 

Very grateful for your help ...

Annette

P.S. If interested in Richard III my Amazon Author's Page has details of books I've written about him.

 

  

[Annette Carson]

P.S. Your book looks great - I trust it's been a great success for you.  Your surname is very familiar and I'm tempted to ask if the great man was a relative. 

 

  

[Brian Weaver]

HI guys. Myself and some friends are researching Sopwith Camels built at the British Caudron factory in Alloa Scotland (nos C6701-C6800) as well as the factory itself & trying to put together a short article. Captain Armstrong flew C6713 which was built here. I noticed the fin, serial and machine gun image on your website Annette. Do you know where these are kept? I have a fair bit of info on factory if you are interested and some photos of Doris (which you may already have). Bought your book which was great. we just assumed C6713 was in night fighter colours & hadn't realised it had been repainted. Would love to see any other images of this or others in the C67 series or any info anyone has. We have already managed to get some from the guys at Cross & Cockade and Sopwith Aviation Archive and trawling the net

[Annette Carson]

Hi Brian - I'm so pleased to know that you are researching this interesting subject, and in particular Captain Armstrong whose achievements have been widely forgotten except in the specialist circles of Great War aero historians. Thank goodness for such historians, as they have been remarkably helpful and supportive of my biography, which is due for publication by Air World around August this year. I would be HUGELY interested to see any photographs you have of C6713, and would beg you please to email me at the 'info' address given in my initial post.

 

I can confirm that C6713 was painted red (with the aluminium cowling left unpainted) almost immediately upon being delivered to DVA in January 1918 when he joined No. 78 (HD) Squadron at Sutton's Farm. By this time he had already acquired a singular reputation as the Sopwith Camel's supreme aerobatic performer, but what is less known is that he was also a leading exponent of night flying and was widely called upon to advise and instruct in night flying techniques. It has been very difficult to trace his career in 1918 and I'd be very grateful to hear from anyone who can shed light on this period, and on 78 Squadron in particular - for example, who was commander of A Flight before Armstrong?

 

C6713 (Doris) was not painted in camouflage until after DVA left 78 Squadron in late May 1918, when he was posted to the Western Front as commander of A Flight, 151 Squadron. A couple of photographs have come to light of Doris in camouflage while visiting Bertangles, which I believe can be seen in Cross & Cockade's night-flying Camel feature by Mick Davis, issue 48/3. Again, this is a period where details (and photographs) are scarce and any information would be welcomed, but clearly she emerged in her red livery once again by the time she crashed on 13 November 1918.

 

Finally, as to the whereabouts of the memorabilia you mention, these and other materials were donated by Armstrong's family to his alma mater, Hilton College in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. In fact Jack Bruce wrote to the college upon the founding of the RAF Museum in the 1970s to enquire whether they might have the honour of exhibiting some of his memorabilia, but the family said they wanted them to remain in South Africa.

 

I hope the foregoing has given you some useful facts, and if you email me directly I'll be happy to provide whatever further information I have and maybe we can exchange photographs. There are some interesting artefacts among the memorabilia at Hilton, which will appear among the book's 150 or so photographs, and I am delighted to say C6713 will adorn the cover in a stunning design by Lynn Williams which depicts DVA performing one of his grass-cutting flick rolls (which we hope he will make available as a print). Lynn is also contributing several colour illustrations which will include more views of Doris.  

 

It would be great if we could talk soon via email, as the book is presently at the stage of 1st proofs!

VBR

Annette

 

[Brian Weaver]

Thanks for that. I've sent a message. It's from alloacaudron in case it heads to spam

Cheers

Brian