Brigadier Charles Gordon Ross (born 12 March 1892, date of death unknown) was a career soldier who served in both the Royal Air Force and the South African Air Force. He was a quadruple ace, being credited with 20 victories during World War I.

World War I service

Ross originally served in the

Royal Flying Corps "Through Adversity to the Stars" , colors = , colours_label = , march = , mascot = , anniversaries = , decorations ...

, having joined in August 1917. He was assigned to 29 Squadron RAF on 25 March 1918 as a

Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5 The Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 is a British biplane fighter aircraft of the First World War. It was developed at the Royal Aircraft Factory by a team consisting of Henry Folland, John Kenworthy and Major Frank Goodden. It was one of the fast ...

a pilot. He began his victory roll on 26 May 1918; by 10 November, the day before the armistice, he had accounted for two observation balloons and sixteen enemy planes destroyed, and two planes driven down out of control. Although he shared some of his victories with others, such as

Francis James Davies Flight Lieutenant Francis James Davies (20 October 1889 – 7 March 1941) was a British World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories. He would briefly return to service during World War II. Early life He was born the youngest s ...

, Reginald H. Rusby,

Ernest Charles Hoy Captain Ernest Charles Hoy DFC (6 May 1895 –22 April 1982) was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 13 victories. He later pioneered airmail flight over the Canadian Rockies. Early life and service Hoy was servi ...

, and Arthur Reed, Ross also singlehandedly destroyed eight enemy fighters.

Post World War I

Ross stayed with his squadron when it was posted to Cologne as part of the Army of Occupation. In 1921, he left the RAF to enroll in the new South African Air Force. He was appointed a

CBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

during World War II, and retired a Brigadier.

Honors and awards

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) awarded 2 November 1918 Lt. Charles Gordon Ross. A bold and skilful airman who has, during the last few months, accounted for four enemy machines. On 8 August, when on offensive patrol, he engaged a two-seater, driving it down. On his return journey he saw a hostile balloon, which he destroyed, the observer escaping in his parachute. Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Bar awarded 3 December 1918 Lieut. (A./Capt.) Charles Gordon Ross, D.F.C. (FRANCE) A fine fighting pilot and leader who has destroyed twelve enemy machines. On 2 October, Ross with three other machines, attacked eight Fokker biplanes; in the engagement that followed four of these were destroyed, Capt. Ross accounting for one. Belgian Croix de Guerre Awarded by His Majesty, King of the Belgians, on 15 July 1919. Insignia of the Order of Saint Sava (Fourth Class) Awarded by His Majesty, the King of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, on 31 July 1929 Order of the British Empire Charles Gordon Ross was appointed an Additional Commander of the Military Division of the Order of the British Empire on 1 January 1945.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ross, Charles G. 1892 births Year of death missing Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) South African Commanders of the Order of the British Empire South African World War I flying aces People from Johannesburg Royal Flying Corps officers Military personnel from Johannesburg