Craig, William Benson

Killed in Action 1918-09-26

Birth Date: unkown date

Born: Smith's Falls, Ontario

Richard Craig & Elizabeth Craig

Home: Smith's Falls, Ontario (parents)

Enlistment: Smith's Falls, Ontario

Enlistment Date: 1917-05-21

Decorations: DFC

Distinguished Service Cross

Service

RAF

Unit

204 (F) Sqn- Squadron (RNAS)

Base

France

Rank

Lieutenant RAF

Position

Pvt. CEF

Service Numbers

344064 CEF

1918-09-26: Craig was missing in Camel, D-3374, after combat over Blankenberghe on the return from a mission to escort bombers. He was declared dead late in the day. His body was recovered, identified and buried in the Town Cemetery by an infantry unit stationed close by his crash site..

Sopwith Camel

By unknown RAF photographer - gallery link image link, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8473883
RAF_Sopwith_Camel.jpg image not found

The Sopwith Camel became the most successful British fighter of the First World War. The Sopwith F.1 and 2F.1 Camel first went into operations on the Western Front in 1917 and then served in virtually every theatre of Royal Flying Corps (RFC), Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) and Royal Air Force (RAF) service. Several Canadian aces used the Camel as their mount. The Camel was very manoeuvrable, and it could be tricky to fly in the hands of a novice pilot. For experienced pilots, however, the aircraft proved to be a superb fighter.

The Camel's machine-guns were mounted on the forward fuselage with their breeches enclosed in a faired metal cowling "hump" that gave the Camel its name. Several Camels were also shipped to Canada in the post-war period as part of an Imperial gift. Three registered Sopwith F.1 Camels entered service with the RCAF at Camp Borden in 1924. The following year, the RCAF purchased seven additional aircraft to provide further spares for the active aircraft. These latter aircraft were in fact 2F.1 models that had been "navalized" variants. Used primarily by wartime experienced fighter pilots for refresher training, the Camels lasted another five years before finally being scrapped.Wikipedia

YouTube Sopwith Camel

Wikipedia Wikipedia Sopwith Camel

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Kestrel Publications Sopwith Camel - Kestrel Publications