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Flying Marines

 

Royal Marine air raiders

During World War One the Royal Marines also distinguished themselves in the air. 15 pilots and three observers from the Corps served in the Royal Naval Air Service during the war.

On the 22 September 1914 Lieutenant C H Collet RMA led an aircraft attack on Zeppelin sheds situated at Dusseldorf and Cologne in Germany.

Due to poor visibility only Collet managed to site his target at Dusseldorf and drop his two 20lb bombs on the shed. Collet scored direct hits and made history as the first man ever to carry out a bombing raid, winning a DSO for his efforts.

Major E L Gerrard, the first Royal Marine pilot in a Henry Farman biplane at the Central Flying School in Upavon, 1913. Gerrard commanded No 1 Squadron, stationed in Antwerp and Dunkirk, which made the first air raids on enemy targets. Gerrard later won a DSO for his work covering the landings at Helles in the Dardanelles 1916. (RMM)

Major E L Gerrard, the first Royal Marine pilot in a Henry Farman biplane at the Central Flying School in Upavon, 1913. Gerrard commanded No 1 Squadron, stationed in Antwerp and Dunkirk, which made the first air raids on enemy targets. Gerrard later won a DSO for his work covering the landings at Helles in the Dardanelles 1916. (RMM)

Through out the war Royal Marine aviators served in many theatres of the war including raids at submarine bases in Germany, and action in Mediterranean and East Africa.

When the Royal Air Force (RAF) was created in 1918 ten of the Royal Marine pilots transferred to the RAF, many of whom again went on to serve with distinction, rising high in the new force.

 

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