Major Dirk Cloete.

[timhog]

Hi to one and all.

Another name from the WW1 Shoreham list anyone help with info please?

Major Dirk Cloete, a South African who may have been part of the S E Area Flying Instructors` School,(SEAFIS) in 1917/18.

All we have is a little from RFC Communiques 15/16.

Help please.

Tim.

[Starlight]

Hi Tim,

Here's some more detail to fill in the 'communiques' basics.

In "The Sky . . . ." there are two entries for him:

20/05/16

This was the date of the first certain victory claimed by 23 squadron.

In brief:

Whilst piloting FE2b No: 6351 with corporal P Havens as observer, 2nd lieutenant Dirk Cloete was in combat with an Aviatik at 9:30am along with another FE2b of 23 squadron piloted by captain R N Adams and a Be2c of 12 squadron. The Aviatik crashed into trees 3 miles ENE of Adinfer Wood after captain adams fired a second drum of ammunition into the Aviatik.

31/05/16

Also in brief:

Seven aircraft from 23 squadron (five FE2b and two Martinsyde G100) were attacked by three Fokkers from out of the sun near Adinfer Wood near Cambrai at 9:30am. 2nd lieutenant Dirk Cloete piloting FE2b No: 6354 with 2nd lieutenant C E Pither as his observer took part in the battle. During the mission one of the British observers - lieutenant L C Powell - was shot in the head and killed. Another of the FE2b machines was shot down and crashed behind enemy lines. The crew were both wounded but were taken prisoner, both going to Holland on 30/04/18.

From the various gazetted entries I have extracted the following, which will give you some idea of the progression of his rank:

02/06/16 - Confirmed as 2nd lieutenant

16/05/16 - Appointment as 2nd lieutenant Special Reserve

25/07/16 - Awarded the MC (see also details above)

"For conspicuous gallantry and skill when one of our machines, piloted by captain Adams, was engaged with six enemy machines, he dived on to one of the enemy, drove it down out of control and then assisted in driving away the remainder. Previously, when acting as observer to captain Adams he brought down an enemy machine which turned upside down."

01/03/17 - Promoted to lieutenant

20/07/17 - Promoted to temporary captain

02/08/18 - Ppromoted from temporary captain to temporary major (employed as acting major)

30/05/19 - Awarded the Air Force Cross

06/06/19 - Promoted to acting major

01/08/19 - Granted permanent commission as captain

I also noticed the following entry on an internet site for the history of the Rhodesian Air Force:

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:icGLU...=clnk&cd=23

"The 1st April 1938 saw the separation of the air unit from the territorial forces when it took on the title of Southern Rhodesia Air Unit (SRAU). The Commanding Officer was Flt Lt. Jimmy Powell and the staff officer Air Services was Major Dirk Cloete."

He could well be the same Major Dick Cloete.

Also, another extract from the history of the South African AirForce:

http://rapidttp.com/milhist/vol056dt.html

"On 21 July 1921, Flight Lieutenant (the new ranks had been promulgated) Dirk Cloete, MC, AFC, was seconded from the RAF to the SAAF to command Zwartkop Aerodrome, and Lt (later Brigadier, and Chief of the SAAF) J. Holthouse, OC No 1 Flight, was Adjutant. The ubiquitous Kenny van der Spuy was Staff Officer Aeronautics, as a Major, returned from a Russian prison camp. Other war veterans, commissioned in January 1922, were Capt (later Brigadier and Chief of the SAAF) H. Meintjies, MC, AFC; Lt (later Brigadier and Chief of the SAAF) H.C. Daniel, MC, AFC; Lt (later Col) M.T.S. Papenfus, DFC; Lt (later Maj-Genl and Chief of the SAAF) C.J. (Boelie) Venter, DFC; and Lts C.G. Ross, DFC; T. E. B. Lawson, DFC; A.L.M. van der ByI; H.J.C. Gray; J. Daniel, H.P. Schoeman, and J.J.C. Hamman (some it will be noted, from the Reserve). Lt S.M. Wood had assumed duty as Adjutant on 1 July 1921."

Anyway, something for you to look at in your spare time!

Regards

Steve

[timhog]

Steve.

Thanks a lot for that, good stuff as ever.

Tim.