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Name: Matthew Brown "Bunty" Frew
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Military Cross (MC) and bar
Air Force Cross (AFC)
Silver Medal for Military Valor [Italy]		 Matthew Frew
Country: Scotland
Rank: Captain
Service: Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force
Unit: 45
Victories: 23
Born: 07 April 1895
Place of Birth: Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland
Died: 28 May 1974
Place of Death: Pretoria, South Africa
 
 
The son of Henry and Annie Frew, Matthew Brown Frew joined the Highland Light Infantry in 1914. After serving in France, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in August 1916. Posted to 45 Squadron on 28 April 1917, he served in France and Italy and was credited with 23 victories while flying the Sopwith 1½ Strutter and Sopwith Camel. In 1918 he was injured when his Camel was hit by anti-aircraft fire. He returned to England and served as an instructor for the duration of the war. Frew remained in the Royal Air Force, was knighted and retired with the rank of Air Vice-Marshal in 1948.
 
Military Cross (MC)
T./2nd Lt. Matthew Brown Frew, Gen. List and R.F.C.
   For conspicuous gallantly and devotion to duty on patrol, showing a fine offensive spirit in many combats. He has shot down five enemy aeroplanes, on one occasion leading his formation to attack twenty-two Albatross Scouts, and himself shooting one down.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 7 March 1918 (30561/2915)
 
Military Cross (MC) Bar
T./2nd Lt. Matthew Brown Frew, M.C., Gen. List and R.F.C.
   For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in shooting down three enemy machines in two days. He has destroyed eight enemy machines and driven down many others out of control.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 23 April 1918 (30645/4857)
 
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
T./Capt. Matthew Brown Frew, M.C., Gen.. List and R.F.C.
   For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion when leader of a patrol he shot down an enemy aeroplane, two others being also accounted for in the same fight. On a later occasion he destroyed three enemy machines in one combat, all of which were seen to crash to the ground. Immediately after this combat he had to switch off his engine and make an attempt to glide towards our lines five miles away on account of his machine having received a direct hit. Owing to the great skill and courage he displayed in the handling of his damaged machine, he succeeded in bringing it safely to our lines. He has destroyed twenty-two enemy machines up to date.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 August 1918 (30845/9560)
 
Victories
Date Time Unit Aircraft Opponent Location
1 05 Jun 1917 1015 45 Sopwith 1½ Strutter 1 Albatros D.III (OOC) Menin
2 05 Jun 1917 1020 45 Sopwith 1½ Strutter 1 Albatros D.III (DESF) Warneton
3 16 Jul 1917 0910 45 Sopwith 1½ Strutter (A1020) 2 Albatros D.III (DESF) Polygon Wood
4 28 Jul 1917 1700 45 Sopwith 1½ Strutter (A8228) 2 Albatros D.III (DES) S of Comines
5 10 Aug 1917 1830 45 Sopwith 1½ Strutter (A1013) 2 Albatros D.III (OOC) E of Comines
6 03 Sep 1917 1315 45 Sopwith Camel (B3871) Albatros D.III (OOC) Zandvoorde
7 04 Sep 1917 1445 45 Sopwith Camel (B3871) Albatros C (OOC) NE of Comines
8 04 Sep 1917 1450 45 Sopwith Camel (B3871) Albatros C (OOC) NE of Comines
9 11 Sep 1917 0920 45 Sopwith Camel Albatros D.III (OOC) Kortewilde
10 21 Sep 1917 1815 45 Sopwith Camel (B3871) Albatros D.III (DESF) N of Comines
11 10 Oct 1917 1430 45 Sopwith Camel Albatros D.V (OOC) Dadizeele
12 10 Oct 1917 1430 45 Sopwith Camel Albatros D.V (DES) Dadizeele
13 21 Oct 1917 0945 45 Sopwith Camel (B3903) Albatros D.V (OOC) Lille
14 26 Oct 1917 1025 45 Sopwith Camel Junkers CL (DES) 3 Houthoulst Fores
15 27 Oct 1917 1015 45 Sopwith Camel (B6372) Albatros D.V (DES) 4 NE of Comines
16 27 Oct 1917 1025 45 Sopwith Camel (B6372) Albatros D.V (DES) E of Moorslede
17 11 Jan 1918 1530 45 Sopwith Camel (B6372) Albatros D.III (DES) Motta
18 15 Jan 1918 1030 45 Sopwith Camel (B6372) C (DESF) Vazzolo
19 15 Jan 1918 1030 45 Sopwith Camel (B6372) Albatros D.V (DESF) Vazzolo
20 15 Jan 1918 1030 45 Sopwith Camel (B6372) Albatros D.V (DES) Vazzolo
21 27 Jan 1918 1342 45 Sopwith Camel (B6372) Albatros D.III (DESF) Conegliano
22 04 Feb 1918 1115 45 Sopwith Camel (B6372) Albatros D.V (DES) Barbisano Collato
23 04 Feb 1918 1120 45 Sopwith Camel (B6372) Albatros D.V (OOC) Susegana
1 Observer 2Lt M J Dalton
2 Observer 2Lt George Brooke
3 Shared with Lt Kenneth Montgomery
4 Shared with 2Lt Jack Child, 2Lt Raymond Brownell
 
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