Carrick Paul

Lieutenant Carrick Stewart Paul DFC was a World War I flying ace from New Zealand. He was credited with five aerial victories in Palestine between May and August 1918 when flying a Bristol F.2 Fighter.^[1]

Paul claimed two victories on 23 May 1918, near Nablus. One of the two Albatros D.Vs was piloted by German ace Gustav Schneidewind, who was wounded in both arms. Paul then destroyed Rumpler reconnaissance planes on 13 June, 28 July, and 16 August 1918. The July win was shared with Alan Brown and Garfield Finlay.^[2]

Paul and his observer William Weir were jointly awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 8 February 1919. Paul never knew of the honor; while on the voyage home to New Zealand, he drowned on 22 January 1919.^[3]

Honors and awards

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Lieut. Carrick Stewart Paul (Australian F.C.). (EGYPT)

Lieutenant Paul is a gallant and skilful Pilot, who has been very ably assisted by his Observer, Lieutenant Weir. These officers have shown great initiative in attacking ground objectives on numerous occasions, notably on 14 August, when, in face of intense hostile fire, they, at a very low altitude, attacked bodies of enemy cavalry, causing heavy casualties. They have also displayed great courage and skill in air combats, having destroyed four enemy aircraft. Supplement to the London Gazette, 8 February 1919 (31170/2044)^[4]

References

Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. Christopher F. Shores, Norman L. R. Franks, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1990. ISBN 0-948817-19-4, ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9.

Sources of information