PL - William Gordon 'Dozy' Claxton PoW

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Claxton, William Gordon 'Dozy' DSO (Lieutenant)

Prisoner of War 1918-June-30

Male Head

Canada

Birth Date: unkown date (age 19)

Born: Gladstone, Manitoba

George Claxton & Victoria Claxton

unmarried

Home: Toronto, Ontario

Enlistment: Winnipeg, Manitoba:

Enlistment Date: 1915-03-30

Decorations: DSO, DFC and bar,MiD

Distinguished Service Order

Mentioned in Dispatches

Service
RAF

Unit
41 (F) Sqn- Squadron (RAF)

Base
France

Rank

Lieutenant

Marshal
Air Chief Marshal	A/C/M
Air Marshal	A/M
Air Vice Marshal	A/V/M
Air Commodore	A/C
Group Captain	G/C
Wing Commander	W/C
Squadron Leader	S/L
Flight Lieutenant	F/L
Flying Officer	F/O
Pilot Officer	P/O
Warrant Officer 1st Class	WO1
Warrant Officer 2nd Class	WO2
Flight Sergeant	FS
Sergeant	SGT
Corporal	CPL
Senior Aircraftman	SAC
Leading Aircraftman	LAC
Aircraftman 1st Class	AC1
Aircraftman 2nd Class	AC2

Position
pilot

Service Numbers
70416

Claxton was assigned to 41 Sqn, France in March 1918. Beginning in May, he scored 37 victories in 79 days and became the highest scoring ace in his squadron. On the morning of 1918-08-17, Claxton's flight, under the command of Frederick McCall, encountered Jasta 20 while patrolling the front. In the ensuing battle, Claxton was shot down behind enemy lines. Suffering from a serious head wound, he was captured east of Wervicq. The immediate skills of a German doctor saved his life and Claxton was repatriated on 1918-12-10.

Lieutenant William Gordon 'Dozy' Claxton was cremated.

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