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The son of F. M. Drewitt, Herbert Frank Stacey Drewitt was educated at the Waitaki Boys' High School where he received first prize in agricultural chemistry. After learning to farm on Sir George Clifford's station at Stonyhurst, he trained with the Walsh Brothers for eight months and received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 3917 on a Curtiss flying boat at New Zealand Aviation School, Kohimarama on 1 December 1916. In January 1917, it was announced that the 22 year old had been appointed a temporary Sub-Flight Lieutenant with orders to Wellington for service abroad. Flying SPADs with 23 Squadron in France, Drewitt scored seven victories. Post-war, he was appointed to the New Zealand Air Force, with the rank of Captain, in 1923.
WO 339/100265, AIR 76/141/58 |
Great Britain, Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificates, 1910-1950
Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2979, 17 January 1917, Page 4
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| Military Cross (MC) |
2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) Herbert Frank Stacey
Drewitt, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He, with another pilot, persistently attacked a large body of hostile cavalry, with the result that great confusion was caused, many casualties inflicted, and the horses stampeded in all directions. On a later occasion he engaged with machine-gun fire from a low altitude two hostile field batteries which were shelling our infantry. He has destroyed in all six enemy machines and has brought down out of control six others. He has displayed exceptional skill and gallantry.
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| Victories |
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Date |
Time |
Unit |
Aircraft |
Opponent |
Location |
| 1 |
17 Oct 1917 |
1105 |
23 |
SPAD VII (B6761) |
C (DESF) |
Dixmude-Houthoulst |
| 2 |
27 Oct 1917 |
1220 |
23 |
SPAD VII (B6761) |
Albatros D.V (OOC) |
NW of Roulers |
| 3 |
24 Jan 1918 |
1220 |
23 |
SPAD VII (B6654) |
Albatros D.V (OOC) |
Comines |
| 4 |
11 Mar 1918 |
1135 |
23 |
SPAD XIII (B6848) |
C (OOC) |
Beaurevoir |
| 5 |
12 Mar 1918 |
1045 |
23 |
SPAD XIII (B6738) |
Albatros D.V (DES) |
E of Bellenglise |
| 6 |
15 Mar 1918 |
1015 |
23 |
SPAD XIII (B6738) |
DFW C (DES) 1 |
Brissey |
| 7 |
16 Mar 1918 |
0720 |
23 |
SPAD XIII (B6738) |
C (DESF) |
Pontruet |
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| 1 |
Shared with Lt G G MacPhee (B6861) |
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