Louis Arbon Strange DSO OBE MC DFC, World War One pilot who was active in World War Two, becoming a wing commander. His surname is appropriate as his life story reads like something out of 'Boy's Own'. He was torn between farming and flying, and spent time doing both. He gained Royal Aero Club flying certificate no. 575 in August 1913, applying to join the RFC. He is noted for forming 23 Squadron, in 1915. At his wedding to Marjorie, Lanoe Hawker was his best man. Hawker, not to be confused with Harry Hawker, later died, shot in the back of the head, while limping home out of ammunition, pursued by Richthofen and others, the brave baron firing more than 300 shots at point blank range and considering this to be his greatest victory ever! Douglas Bader was with 23 Squadron when he suffered his terrible accident. Recurring ill health saw Louis Strange leave the RAF and take up farming, though retaining a keen interest in flying, including directorships of Spartan and Simmonds. In World War Two, he returned as a RAFVR pilot officer. Not expecting to see action, he nevertheless came under attack from (Messerschmitt) BF109s, whilst evacuating a Hurricane during Dunkirk. Unarmed, he dived and led his attackers through the trees and up the front drive of a chateau before heading out to sea, where they received attention from Allied ships and retreated. At one time in the proceedings he actually saw five BF109s get in front of him! After the war, Louis returned to farming, whilst maintaining his interest in aircraft.
Louis Arbon Strange DSO OBE MC DFC, World War One pilot who was active in World War Two, becoming a wing commander. His surname is appropriate as his life story reads like something out of 'Boy's Own'. He was torn between farming and flying, and spent time doing both. He gained Royal Aero Club flying certificate no. 575 in August 1913, applying to join the RFC. He is noted for forming 23 Squadron, in 1915. At his wedding to Marjorie, Lanoe Hawker was his best man. Hawker, not to be confused with Harry Hawker, later died, shot in the back of the head, while limping home out of ammunition, pursued by Richthofen and others, the brave baron firing more than 300 shots at point blank range and considering this to be his greatest victory ever! Douglas Bader was with 23 Squadron when he suffered his terrible accident. Recurring ill health saw Louis Strange leave the RAF and take up farming, though retaining a keen interest in flying, including directorships of Spartan and Simmonds. In World War Two, he returned as a RAFVR pilot officer. Not expecting to see action, he nevertheless came under attack from (Messerschmitt) BF109s, whilst evacuating a Hurricane during Dunkirk. Unarmed, he dived and led his attackers through the trees and up the front drive of a chateau before heading out to sea, where they received attention from Allied ships and retreated. At one time in the proceedings he actually saw five BF109s get in front of him! After the war, Louis returned to farming, whilst maintaining his interest in aircraft.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
