Robert MacIntyre Gordon

Robert MacIntyre Gordon
Nickname(s)	"Bobby"
Born	(1899-09-30)30 September 1899
Died	19 April 1983(1983-04-19) (aged 83)
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Navy Royal Air Force
Rank	Lieutenant
Unit	No. 4 Naval Squadron RNAS/No. 204 Squadron RAF
Awards	Distinguished Flying Cross

Lieutenant Robert MacIntyre Gordon (30 September 1899 – 19 April 1983) was a Glasgow-born seventeen-year-old World War I flying ace. He was credited with nine aerial victories as a Sopwith Camel pilot for the Royal Naval Air Service in 1918.

Early life

Robert MacIntyre Gordon was born in Glasgow, Scotland on 30 September 1899.^[1]

World War I

During World War I, Gordon became a Sopwith Camel fighter pilot for 4 Squadron of the Royal Naval Air Service. He remained with this unit when it was incorporated into the Royal Air Force as 204 Squadron. Between 30 June and 27 October 1918, he scored nine aerial victories and won a Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery. His DFC was gazetted on 2 November 1918:

"In three months this brilliant young pilot has destroyed or driven down eight enemy machines. On all occasions he displays remarkable gallantry and dash, never hesitating to fly to the assistance of other pilots when they are in difficulties. In one combat his action saved his flight commander."^[2]

Combat record

List of aerial victories^[1]
No.	Date/time	Aircraft	Foe	Result	Location	Notes
1	30 June 1918 @ 1430 hours	Sopwith Camel serial number D1868	German reconnaissance plane	Driven down out of control	Zeebrugge
2	30 June 1918 @ 1440 hours	Sopwith Camel s/n D1868	Fokker D.VII	Driven down out of control	Zeebrugge
3	31 July 1918 @ 1930 hours	Sopwith Camel s/n D8146	Fokker D.VII	Driven down out of control	Northeast of Ypres
4	12 August 1918 @ 1055 hours	Sopwith Camel s/n D9498	Fokker D.VII	Destroyed	Blankenberghe
5	12 August 1918 @ 1055 hours	Sopwith Camel s/n D9498	Fokker D.VII	Driven down out of control	Blankenberghe
6	15 August 1918 @ 1900 hours	Sopwith Camel s/n D8145	Fokker D.VII	Set afire; destroyed	Menen	Victory shared with Charles Hickey
7	15 August 1918 @ 1900 hours	Sopwith Camel s/n D8145	Fokker D.VII	Set afire; destroyed	Menen
8	3 September 1918 @ 1150 hours	Sopwith Camel s/n D8146	Fokker D.VII	Driven down out of control	Geluveld
9	27 October 1918 @ 0910 hours	Sopwith Camel s/n F3929	Fokker D.VII	Set afire; destroyed	South of Ghent

Post World War I

Gordon qualified as a doctor in 1924. He was awarded a DSO and GM for his service during World War II. He died on 19 April 1983.^[3]

Endnotes

1 2 "Robert MacIntyre Gordon". The Aerodrome. 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30989. p. 12966. 1 November 1918.
↑ "Robert MacIntyre Gordon". ancestry.co.uk. Retrieved 13 August 2014. (subscription required (help)).

Aviation in World War I

People and aircraft	Commanders Aces Aircraft of the Entente Powers Aircraft of the Central Powers Zeppelins

Campaigns and battles	Strategic bombing German Cuxhaven Bombing of cities Aerial reconnaissance Fokker Scourge Flight over Vienna Bloody April Battles

Entente Powers air services	British air services Royal Flying Corps Royal Naval Air Service Royal Air Force Australian Flying Corps Canadian Air Force (1918–20) French Air Service Imperial Russian Air Service Royal Italian Air Corps United States Army Air Service Greek air services Army Air Service Naval Air Service

Central Powers air services	Imperial German Air Service Austro-Hungarian Imperial and Royal Aviation Troops Ottoman Aviation Squadrons Bulgarian Army Aeroplane Section

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