Constable-Maxwell, Gerald Joseph

Date of birth:: September 8th, 1895 (Beauly, Inverness/Scotland, United Kingdom)
Date of death:: December 18th, 1959 (Winchester/Hampshire, United Kingdom)
Nationality:: British

Biography

Gerald Constable-Maxwell was a flying ace during the First World War, credited with 26 air victories (including six shared).

Promotions:
26 July 1917: Flight Commander, RFC
1 August 1919: Captain, RAF
29 August 1919: Temporary Staff Officer, 3rd Class (Air)
14 February 1921: Major
?: Wing Commander
1957: Lord Lieutenant Hampshire

Career:
1914-1916: Lovat Scouts
1916: Central Flying School
1917: No. 56 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps
1917-1918: School of Aerial Fighting
1918: No. 56 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps
1941-1945: Station commander, RAF Ford

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Royal Flying Corps cap badge

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Unit:: Central Flying School, Royal Flying Corps
Awarded on:: March 1917

Military Cross (MC)

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:: Captain
Unit:: 'A' Flight, No. 56 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps
Awarded on:: October 18th, 1917

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on many occasions. He has taken part in forty-three offensive patrols, in fourteen of which he acted as leader. He has destroyed at least three enemy aircraft, and driven down nine others completely out of control. He has consistently shown great skill in aerial combats, and his fearlessness and fine offensive spirit have been a splendid example to others."

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Captain
Unit:: 'A' Flight, No. 56 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps
Awarded on:: August 2nd, 1918

"This officer has at all times shown exceptional skill and gallantry and on numerous occasions has fought against greatly superior numbers. During the last six weeks he had brought down five enemy aeroplanes. Recently, he approached unobserved to within ten yards of three Fokker triplanes, one of which he shot down. He was chased for about nine miles by the remaining two until he met a formation of six Camels, these he led to attack some enemy aircraft, although he had only twenty-five minutes' petrol left."