A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars

Three: Captain (Flight Commander) E. H. Tatton, No. 84 Squadron, Royal Air Force, formerly East Yorkshire Regiment, credited with two aerial victories, killed when his plane was shot down by anti-aircraft fire on 20 April 1918

1914-15 Star (2. Lieut., E. York. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt., R.A.F.) the B.W.M. with official correction to part of surname (3) £400-450 £450-550

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars.

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M.I.D. London Gazette ???

Eric Hudson Tatton was born on 28 March 1895. He was commissioned into the East Yorkshire Regiment on 11 January 1915, having previously been attached to the 18th (Public Schools) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in August 1915, with whom he served in France as an Observer, before passing his pilots exams in 1916. He was killed in action whilst flying an offensive patrol on 20 April 1918 in an SE5a, when his machine was hit by anti-aircraft fire over Glisy. He is buried at Picquigny British Cemetery, Somme, France.

Sold with a large quantity of copied research, including details from the Squadron Record Book, and various Combat Reports. The following are extracted from three such reports, filed by Tatton:

9 April 1918: ‘The balloon was situated at Lihons at about 5,000 feet. I crossed the lines at 10 o’clock just north of Moreull and flew to the east side of the balloon at about 9,000 feet. Just before I started to dive, the balloon began to be hauled in very rapidly. I dived vertically down to about 7,000 before opening fire, and finally got in a burst of about 250 rounds, one drum of Lewis being the new Buckingham (proportion: two Buckingham, two ordinary). The balloon did not catch fire. I followed it down to under 1,000 feet, and as I left, it appeared to be in a somewhat flabby condition. I was so close to the balloon that I am certain a large proportion of my shots went into it. The balloon was right in the middle of my Aldis sight as I fired.’

11 April 1918: ‘I attacked the above formation of E.A. (8 triplanes & 2 Pfalz) with three machines of “A” Flight. Five Sopwith Camels were in our rear and about 2,000 feet above us. The E.A. were on the same level as ourselves. We came from the S.E., and I got a good burst from both guns into the leader of the formation at point blank range. He rolled over and went down in a spin. I last saw him spinning very slowly, about 3,000 feet below me, apparently out of control. I am certain the pilot was either killed, or very badly hit, as the range was so close (about 10 yards). I then turned and fired at another triplane, when after a few rounds both my guns jammed. Two triplanes then got on my tail and I was forced to spin. Just before starting to spin I observed the Camels coming to our assistance.’

12 April 1918: ‘I first observed the above E.A. (1 D.F.W.) flying due east. At the time I was flying due west. He was about 3,000 feet below me when I started to dive, firing with both guns until right on top of him, when I zoomed up as there were other E.A. above. Soon after I started firing at him he went into a vertical dive. I think my first few shots must have taken effect, as the observer did not fire at me, and the pilot made no attempt to get away. Lieut. Falkenberg followed me down and got in a short burst, when both his guns jammed. He last saw the E.A. quite low down, still in a vertical dive, with white smoke issuing from him.’

Captain Falkenberg stated the following with regard to this combat: ‘I followed Captain Tatton down in a dive and saw him fire a long burst at the E.A. I fired a short burst, and both guns jammed. The E.A. made no attempt to get away beyond diving steeply. I last saw E.A. diving almost vertically, low down, with white smoke coming from him. As the observer did not fire at me, I think he must have been killed by Captain Tatton’s burst. I was unable to observe what happened after this, as E.A. were above us.’