Capt RA Little

[stan]

Information gathering here folks. Any info on RA Little would be much appreciated at this early stage - especially pictures.

[Stebie9173]

Are we talking about the R.N.A.S. and R.A.F. ace?

Name: LITTLE, ROBERT ALEXANDER

Initials: R A

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Flight Commander

Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force

Unit Text: 203rd Sqdn.

Secondary Regiment: Royal Naval Air Service

Secondary Unit Text: formerly

Age: 22

Date of Death: 27/05/1918

Awards: DSO and Bar, DSC and Bar

Additional information: Croix de Guerre with star (France). Son of James Little, of Collins St., Melbourne; husband of Vera Little, of "Centreway", 263, Collins St., Melbourne, Australia.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: D. 7.

Cemetery: WAVANS BRITISH CEMETERY

Cemetery: WAVANS BRITISH CEMETERY

Country: France

Locality: Pas de Calais

Visiting Information: Wheelchair access to this cemetery with some difficulty. For further information regarding wheelchair access, please contact our Enquiries Section on 01628 507200.

Location Information: Wavans is a village 14 kilometres north-west of Doullens and 32 kilometres north-east of Abbeville. The Cemetery is north-west of the village on the road running north from the Auxi-le-Chateau road (D938) to the Bois d'Auxi.

Historical Information: Wavans British Cemetery was made by the 21st Casualty Clearing Station in May-September 1918. The cemetery contains 43 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and one German war grave. Among those buried in the cemetery is the flying ace Major J T B McCudden, VC, DSO and Bar, MC and Bar, MM, who died of wounds in July 1918.

No. of Identified Casualties: 44

Steve.

[Stebie9173]

His commemoration on the Australian War Memorial:

http://www.awm.gov.au/croll/person.asp?p=272-1532

Steve.

[Stebie9173]

His medals:

D.S.C.

London Gazette 16-2-1917

The KING has also been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished Service Cross to the following Officers : —

Flight Sub-Lieut. Robert Alexander Little, R.N.A.S. _

For conspicuous bravery in successfully attacking and bringing down hostile machines on several occasions. On 11th November, 1916, he attacked and brought down a hostile machine in flames. On 12th

December, 1916, he attacked a German machine at a range of 50 yards; this machine was brought down in a nose-dive. On 20th December, 1916, he dived at a hostile machine, and opened fire at 25 yards range; the observer was seen to- fall down inside the machine, which went down in a spinning nose-dive. On 1st January, 1917, he

attached an enemy scout, which turned over on its back and came down completely out of control.

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType=

Bar to D.S.C.

LG 22-6-1917

The undermentioned Officers, have, been awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross fpr subsequent acts of gallantry.: —.

Flt.-Lieut. Robert Alexander Little, D.S.C., R.N.A.S.

For exceptional daring and skill in aerial fighting on many occasions, of which the following are examples:—

On the 28th April, 1917, he destroyed an Aviatik; on the 29th April he shot down a hostile scout, which crashed. On the 30th April, with three other machines he went up after hostile machines and saw a big fight going on between fighter escorts and hostile aircraft. Flt.-Lieut. Little attacked one at fifty yards range, and brought it down out of control. A few minutes later lie attacked a red scout with a larger machine than the rest. This machine was handled with great skill, but by clever manoeuvring Fit.-Lieut. Little got into a good position and shot it down out of control.

(The award of the Distinguished Service Cross was announced in the London Gazette of 16th February, 1917.)

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType=

D.S.O.

LG 11-8-1917

HONOURS FOR THE ROYAL NAVAL AIR SERVICE.

The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the appointment of the undermentioned Officers:—

To be Companions of the Distinguished Service Order.

Flt. Lieut. Robert Alexander Little, D.S.C., R.N.A.S.

For gallantry in action and for exceptional skill and daring in aerial combats. Since the 9th May, 1917, besides having driven off numerous artillery aeroplanes and damaged six hostile machines, he has destroyed six others. On the 26th June, 1917, an Aviatik being seen from the aerodrome he went up to attack it. He engaged it and fired a burst at close range, and the enemy machine stalled and went down in flames.

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType=

Bar to D.S.O.

LG 14-9-1917

HONOURS FOR THE ROYAL NAVAL AIR SERVICE.

The KING lias been graciously pleased to approve of the award of a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order to the undermentioned Officer: —

Fit. Lieut. (Act. Fit. Cdr.) Robert Alexander Little, D.S.O., D.S.C., R.N.A.S.

For exceptional gallantry and skill in aerial fighting.

On 16th July, 1917, he observed two AviatiEs flying low over the lines. He dived on the nearest one, firing a long, burst at very close range. The enemy machine dived straight away, and Flt. Lieut. Little followed him closely down to 500 ft., the enemy machine falling out of control.

On 20th July, 1917, he attacked a D.F.W. After a short fight, the enemy machine dived vertically. Its tail plane seemed to crumple up, and it was completely wrecked.

On 22nd July, 1917, he attacked a D.F.W. Aviatik, and Brought it down completely out of control.

On 27th July, 1917, in company with another pilot, he attacked an Aviatik. After each had fired about twenty rounds, the enemy machine began to spin downwards. Flt. Lieut. Little got close to it, and observed both the occupants lying back in the cock-pits, as if dead. The machine

fell behind the enemy's lines, and was wrecked.

Flt. Lieut. Little has shown remarkable courage and boldness in attacking enemy machines.

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType=

Steve.

[Stebie9173]

Sites with biographies and pictures:

http://www.australianflyingcorps.org/2002_...aces_little.htm

http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-air-su.../little-r-a.htm

http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/australi/little1.php

http://www.australianflyingcorps.org/2002_..._newspaper3.htm

Steve.

[stan]

Thanks Steve,

This is indeed him. The search and trawl for and of info is now underway.

[Jarvis]

Just found this thread - I have just finished reading Bloody April by Alan Morris (excellent book) and there are several references to RA Little.

April 10th 1917

Page 96 - 4 No 8 (Naval) pilots - RA Little, AE Cuzner, CD Booker and Crundall - escorted a 25 Squadron mission through the storm. Only Little found his way backtohis own aerodrome

Page 165 describes air combat with RA Little in a triplane vs an Aviatick C II.

Page 189 describes an excellent "defence" of Lozingham (Naval) aerodrome by Little, Compton & Booker against 12 Albertros - 5 were shot down - 2 by Little.

By now you may have discovered all of this but as his name was fresh in my mind thought I'd contribute.

[stan]

By now you may have discovered all of this but as his name was fresh in my mind thought I'd contribute.

Thanks, it all good grist for the mill.