Charles Findlay Group Captain Charles Findlay DFC AFC was a professional military officer . In World War I , he was a flying ace credited with fourteen aerial victories . He made the Royal Air Force his career , and served his country throughout World War II . Early life and service . Charles Findlay was a married arts student in Glasgow as World War I broke upon the world . He enlisted in the Mounted Field Ambulance Section of the 52nd ( Lowland ) Division in March 1915 , but then was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Highland Light Infantry ' s 6th Battalion , effective 8 September 1915 . He was posted to the Highlanders at their base at Kantara , Egypt , and fought in their Sinai Campaign in December 1916 . He then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps . Aerial service in World War I . Findlay went for pilot training with 52 Squadron . As soon as he qualified as a pilot in May 1917 , he was retained with the squadron as an instructor . Two months later , he was forwarded to the staff of the Gunnery School in Ayrshire . In early 1918 , in response to his request , Findlay was posted to a fighter squadron assignment with 88 Squadron , then forming at RAF Kenley . The squadron took its new Bristol F . 2 Fighter s to France in April 1918 . Findlay scored his first victory on 30 July 1918 , driving a Pfalz D . III down out of control . Then , on 6 August , he scored the first of thirteen consecutive wins over Fokker D . VII s , the Germans ' newest fighter . On 11 August , he scored a quadruple victory , burning two Fokkers and driving two down . He ended his tally on 30 October 1918 , with a double victory . In summary , he destroyed eleven enemy airplanes , setting six of them on fire ; he also drove down three more out of control , all without his plane taking a single bullet hole . Aerial victory was not Findlay ' s only contribution to his country ' s war effort ; he also helped raid enemy aerodromes . He also experimented with wireless telegraphy between airplanes . Post World War I . Findlay emerged from the war a captain , and decided to remain in the RAF . He went on to command of 9 Squadron , and of RAF Hyton . He was promoted from Flying Officer to Flight Lieutenant on 30 June 1923 . On 30 June 1931 , he was promoted from Flight Lieutenant to Squadron Leader . His promotion from Squadron Leader to Wing Commander took place 1 April 1937 He was awarded the Air Force Cross on 9 June 1938 . Promotion to Group Captain came on 1 September 1940 . He retired in 1941 as a Group Captain , but returned to be re - employed for another five years . Between the wars Findlay was one of the men responsible for maintaining the necleus of the RAF which was to perform heroically in The Battle of Britain . Although physically he did not take part in that famous chapter of World War Two , the personnel who did used much of his knowledge and expertise . Late December 1942 , Findlay arrived in Rhodesia to take up the post of Commanding Officer at Moffat Airbase . This appointment lasted two years into post War , whereupon he later returned to his Native Scotland , settling in Kilcreggan , a village in Argyle and Bute . He passed away there in 1971 Honors and awards . Text of citation for " ' Distinguished Flying Cross ( DFC " ) Lieut . ( A . / . Capt . ) Charles Findlay . ( FRANCE ) On 29 October this officer led his flight with the greatest dash and determination against a hostile formation of about fifty machines . Reinforced by six more machines — making a total of twelve in all — he fought his patrol against the enemy ' s overwhelming numbers for upwards of half - on - hour , but the enemy being continuously reinforced he was eventually forced to withdraw . Cleverly extricating his formation he retired across the lines , our only casualties being one pilot and one observer wounded . The enemy lost heavily , five machines being shot down in flames ( one by Capt . Findlay ) , four destroyed and six driven down out of control .