Cyril Marconi Crowe

Name:

Cyril Marconi "Billy" Crowe

Country:

England

Rank:

Major

Service:

Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force

Units:

4, 8, 16, 56, 60, 85

Victories:

Born:

06 January 1894

Place of Birth:

Wellington, Shropshire

Died:

31 May 1974

Place of Death:

Swindon, Wiltshire

An engineer, Cyril Marconi Crowe received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 898 on a Grahame-White biplane at the Grahame-White School, Hendon on 8 September 1914. He pioneered "dive and climb" tactics for the S.E.5. As a flight commander with 56 Squadron, despite having his goggles shot from his face in a fight on 7 May 1917, Crowe survived without injury and scored 14 victories. Upon the death of James McCudden, he assumed command of 60 Squadron. But shortly thereafter, returning from a party at Dieppe on 29 July 1918, Crowe drove his automobile into a tree. His two passengers, Owen Scholte and a Major Foggin, were killed in the crash. Crowe was court martialled and reduced in rank to Captain for a month before being posted as a Major to 85 Squadron on 28 August 1918 for the duration of the war. With this unit he scored his final victory on 16 September 1918. Crowe was a Wing Commander in the Royal Air Force during World War II.

"[Crowe] is not afraid of anything and goes after old Huns like a rocket and yet he is extraordinarily prudent." Arthur Rhys Davids, member of Crowe's 'B' Flight, 56 Squadron

Great Britain, Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificates, 1910-1950

In a Cloud-Bank, 14 Feb 1917, 1 of 3

In a Cloud-Bank, 14 Feb 1917, 2 of 3

In a Cloud-Bank, 14 Feb 1917, 3 of 3

Looping the Loop at Brighton

Military Cross (MC)

Capt. Cyril Marconi Crowe, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and skill as a leader of offensive patrols, many times attacking hostile formations single-handed, and descending to low altitudes under heavy anti-aircraft fire. He has been responsible for the destruction of several enemy machines.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 18 July 1917 (30188/7225)

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Capt. Cyril Marconi Crowe. M.C.
This officer has been engaged on active operations over the lines for over twelve months, and has accounted for ten enemy aeroplanes. He is a most successful leader, distinguished for skill and ibravery. On a recent occasion he, accompanied by two other machines, attacked an enemy formation consisting of four biplanes and one triplane. Having destroyed a biplane he engaged the triplane at close range and destroyed that also.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 21 September 1918 (30913/11250)

Victories

	Date	Time	Unit	Aircraft	Opponent	Location
1	24 Apr 1917	1110	56	S.E.5 (A4860)	C (DES) ¹	Bellone
2	29 Apr 1917	1500	56	S.E.5 (A4860)	Albatros D.II (OOC) ²	Waziers
3	29 Apr 1917	1500	56	S.E.5 (A4860)	Albatros D.II (OOC) ²	Bugnicourt
4	30 Apr 1917	0845	56	S.E.5 (A4860)	Albatros D.II (DES)	Douai
5	23 May 1917	1915-2015	56	S.E.5 (A8902)	C (OOC)	Tilloy
6	24 May 1917	1900-2000	56	S.E.5 (A8910)	Albatros D.III (OOC) ³	S of Douai
7	25 May 1917	0630-0730	56	S.E.5 (A8910)	Albatros D.III (OOC)	Courcelles
8	27 May 1917	0615-0715	56	S.E.5 (A8910)	Albatros D.III (DES)	Erchin
9	16 Jun 1917	0845-0930	56	S.E.5 (A8910)	C (DES)	Passchendaele
10	18 Mar 1918	1110	56	S.E.5a (B4891)	C (OOC)	W of Maquigny
11	18 Mar 1918	1145	56	S.E.5a (B4891)	C (DES)	NE of Rumaucourt
12	28 Jun 1918	2020	56	S.E.5a (C1848)	Pfalz D.III (OOC)	Dompierre
13	01 Jul 1918	0540	56	S.E.5a (C1848)	Fokker D.VII (DES)	NE of Albert
14	01 Jul 1918	0540	56	S.E.5a (C1848)	Fokker DR.I (DES) ⁴	NE of Albert
15	16 Sep 1918	1845	85	S.E.5a (B8354)	Fokker D.VII (DES)	Sauchy-Couchy

1	Shared with 2Lt Leonard Barlow, 2Lt M A Kay (A4866)
2	Shared with Lt J O Leach (A4856), Lt M A Kay (A4866)
3	Shared with 2Lt Reginald Hoidge, 2Lt Arthur Rhys Davids, 2Lt Keith Muspratt, 2Lt John Turnbull
4	Shared with Capt Gerald Maxwell