Died 1984 (aged 88–89) Role RAF officer Name Edwin Cole | Rank Squadron Leader Awards Military Cross | |
Born 26 December 1895
Bristol, England ( 1895-12-26 ) Service/branch British Army, Royal Air Force Unit No. 60 Squadron RAF, No. 1 Squadron RAF | ||
Years of service 1916–1918
1939–1954 | ||
Squadron Leader Edwin Stuart Travis Cole (26 December 1895–1984) was a British World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.
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World War I service
Cole was a mechanical engineer from Bristol, who on 14 December 1915 was awarded with Aviator's Certificate No. 2160 on Caudron biplanes at the Ruffy-Baumann School at Hendon. He was commissioned as a probationary second lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps on 29 April 1916, was appointed a flying officer on 21 July, and was confirmed in his rank in August. On 15 September 1916, having been assigned to No. 60 Squadron to fly a Nieuport fighter, he scored his first victory.
Reassigned to No. 1 Squadron, he once again flew a Nieuport. He triumphed twice in March 1917, and four times during Bloody April, including two observation balloons. On 1 May 1917, he and fellow ace Frank Sharpe captured a German Albatros D.III fighter at Roulers-Elverdinghe, receiving promotion to lieutenant the same day. Following this, Cole was withdrawn from action.
On 6 July 1918 he was promoted to the temporary rank of captain.
World War II service
His record lapses until 1939, when he agreed to let a garage in Downend be used for a first aid post and air raid shelter. On 21 March 1939, he was commissioned as a pilot officer on probation in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. On 31 August 1939, he was confirmed as a pilot officer and promoted to flying officer.
Apparently unfit for flight duty, on 27 May 1940 he was transferred to General Duties. On 27 May 1941, he was promoted to flight lieutenant. On 1 July 1944, he was once again promoted, this time to temporary squadron leader.
Post World War II
On 10 February 1954, Cole relinquished his reserve commission, with permission to retain the rank of squadron leader.