FALL, Flight Lieutenant Joseph Stewart Temple - Distinguished Service Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 23 May 1917. Born in Canada, 17 November 1895; home in Hillbank, Vancouver Island (working on father's farm). Accepted as RNAS candidate, 23 August 1915; went to Montreal, 1 August and paid $ 350 to Montreal School of Flying. No training given; he received a refund and sailed to UK on his own, 12 November 1915. Appointed Probationary Flight Sub-Lieutenant, 26 January 1916; at Naval School, 30 January 1916; at Chingford, 14 April 1916; at Eastchurch (No.3 Wing), 6 August 1916; to Dunkirk, 1 February 1917; with No.9 (N) Squadron, 3 February 1917; to No.3 (N) Squadron, 28 February 1917; to No.9 (N) Squadron, 30 August 1917; to Freiston (No.9 Group), 24 April 1918; to No.4 Flying School, 7 November 1918. Flew a Sopwith Snipe in Fifth Aerial Derby around London, 24 July 1920. Aeroplane reported, “At the RAF Tournament he led the Snipe formation which gave such an impressive display in combined aerobatic flying.” Posted from No.203 Squadron to Marine and Armament Experimental Establishment, 7 February 1922 (for training as an experimental pilot). Posted from Marine and Armament Experimental Establishment to No.56 Squadron, 1 November 1922. To No.1 Squadron, Iraq, 14 September 1923. To No.4 Flying Training Squadron, Egypt, 16 January 1925. To No.6 Squadron, Iraq, 3 October 1925. As of 17 October 1933 S/L J.S.T. Fall, DSC, AFC posted to Station Headquarters, Andover, for flying duties. To Home Aircraft Depot, Henlow, 1 April 1935 for flying (Automatic control) duties, serving there to 14 February 1936. As Wing Commander, to RAF Station Heyford to command, 4 September 1936. Served as a Group Captain in RAF, Second World War, and was Mentioned in Despatches, 11 June 1942. Commanded No.33 SFTS, Carberry, Manitoba, 1943 to 1945. Retired 11 March 1945. Died 1 December 1988. Photo RE-20033 is a fuzzy shot. See W.R. Cumming, "Joseph Stewart Temple Fall: The Man Who Refused to Die", Journal of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society, Summer 1990. // For conspicuous bravery and skill in attacking hostile aircraft. On the morning of the 11th April, 1917, while escorting our bombing machines, he brought down three hostile aircraft. The first he attacked and brought down completely out of control. He was then attacked by three hostile scouts who forced him down to within about two hundred feet of the ground. By skilful piloting he manoeuvred his machine close behind one of them, which was driven down and wrecked. Shortly afterwards, this officer was again attacked by a hostile scout, which he eventually brought down a short time before recrossing the lines. He then landed at one of the aerodromes, his machine having been riddled with bullets from the hostile machines, and also by rifle fire from the ground. // FALL, Flight Lieutenant Joseph Stewart Temple - Bar to Distinguished Service Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 19 December 1917. // In recognition of the conspicuous courage displayed by him in attacking enemy aircraft in superior numbers on many occasions. On the 15th October, 1917, he attacked an enemy machine from in front at very close range, at times within twenty-five yards. He then turned sharply and attacked from behind, sending the enemy machine down spinning on its back and emitting great volumes of black smoke. // FALL, Flight Lieutenant Joseph Stewart Temple - Second Bar to Distinguished Service Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 19 December 1917. // In recognition of his services on the 12th and 13th November, 1917, when he had successful engagements with three enemy machines. He has always shown great courage and gallantry in the face of the enemy, and maintained a high record of achievement, having destroyed many enemy machines // FALL, Captain Joseph Stewart Temple - Air Force Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 1 January 1919 (name given as John Stewart Temple Fall). No citation. // Victories: // 11 April 1917 - three Albatross Scouts shot down. // 23 April 1917 - one enemy aircraft out of control // 24 April 1917 - one out of control. // 29 April 1917 - one Albatross crashed. // 1 May 1917 - one hostile out of control (with two other pilots) // 23 May 1917 - one hostile out of control // 6 June 1917 - one hostile crashed (date may be wrong; combat possibly confused in records with another). // 7 July 1917 - three seaplanes destroyed. // 26 July 1917 - with four other pilots, one seaplane destroyed // 17 August 1917 - one aircraft shot down // 22 August 1917 - with another pilot, damaged a Gotha. // 3 September 1917 - full squadron (No.9 Naval) crashed an Albatross. // 10 September 1917 - two hostiles destroyed with other pilots. // 12 September 1917 - with another pilot, crashed one and then shot down an Albatross. // 14 September 1917 - crashed one Albatross. // 16 September 1917 - with another pilot, crashed a DFW // 24 September 1917 - destroyed one enemy machine. // 30 September 1917 - assisted in destruction of one Albatross two-seater, // 2 October 1917 - assisted in destruction of one hostile. // 15 October 1917 - shot down a two-seater. // 17 October 1917 - shot down one hostile out of control (not seen to crash) // 31 October 1917 - shot down a two-seater; led flight when destroying another. // 4 November 1917 - sent one down on its back, spinning. // 6 November 1917 - sent one down smoking. // 13 November 1917 - with another pilot, destroyed an Albatross scout. Later sent an Albatross two-seater down out of control. // 6 December 1917 - destroyed a DFW; probably destroyed an Albatross D-5. // 8 December 1917 - crashed an Albatross scout. // 22 December 1917 - crashed an Albatross two-seater. // Notes compiled by F.H. Hitchins: // FLIGHT SUB-LIEUTENANT J.S.T. FALL 3 (N) SQUADRON V BDE. // 2.4.17 - Attached to 22nd Wing, R.F.C. , attacked two e.a. while on line patrol near Pronville. Had much gun trouble. // 6.6(8?).17 - Crashed an e.a., one of a formation of four which dived at him near Bourlon-Wood. He followed it to 4,000 ft., firing 50 rounds; saw many tracers hit. The e.a. went down o.o.c. and crashed. Saw two other e.a. diving o.o.c. // 11.4.17 - Drove down an Albatross scout o.o.c. near Cambrai after considerable manoeuvring; was immediately attacked by three Albatross scouts; singled out one and shot the pilot in the head; e.a. spun to the ground. Saw two other e.a. spinning o.o.c. Later attacked infantry in trenches near Arras, Cambrai road and was fired on. Attacked another e.a. and brought it down. When he returned his machine was badly shot about. // 23.4.17 - Attacked an e.a. over Bourlon-Wood while on O.P.; fired 100 rounds at 50 yds. Enemy aircraft stalled and nose-dived apparently out of control. // 29.4.17 - Brought down an Albatross near Bois du Gard with 100 rounds at 15 yards; saw the e.a. nose-dive o.o.c., flatten out and turn over on back on ground. // 1.5.17 - While escorting a photo reconn., attacked an e.a., fired 75 rounds at close range and the e.a. stalled, fell on its back and went down apparently o.o.c. He did not follow but continued to escort the F.E.s. (All above are from Bde. Summ.) // 20.5.17 - Dived on a 2-seater S. of Douai, but the e.a. dived and escaped him and other British aircraft. // 23.5.17 - Dived on an e.a. attacking F/Es, fired 80 rounds and saw his tracers hit; e.a. stalled, dived, o.o.c., but was unable to follow as escorting F.E.s. (Bde. Summ.) // 23.5.17 - Drove down an e.a. o.o.c. (Naval Summary) // 7.7.17 - Got two seaplanes on the same patrol, 25 miles N.E. of Nieuport. Attacked the first at close range, and it fell into the water not far from a German destroyer; the second reeled over, side slipped and dived into the water about a mile N.W. of Ostend pier. Later in the day he shot down in flames another seaplane which appeared to be waiting enemy machines returning from a raid on England. Flt. Lt. (Naval Summary) // Flight Commander 9 (N) Sqn. IV Bde. // 3.9.17 - With Scott and Wood. Formation dived on an Albatross scout formation N.E. of Dixmude and S.E. of Pervyse. Two e.a. were driven down and a third seen to crash about a mile behind the German trenches. (Bde. Summ.) – With three other naval pilots, attacked an Albatross scout formation; one was driven down, chased across the floods at 300 feet and finally crashed. (Naval Summary) F/Cdr. // 4.9.17 - With Scott and Wallace. In engagement with a number of Aviatiks between Middlekerke and Nieuport. No definite victories. (Bde Summary) // 9.9.17 - With three pilots, attacked formation of eight e.a. and destroyed two near Leeke. (Naval Summary) // 14.9.17 - Two Albatross scouts dived on his formation of Camels between Pervyse and Leeke. He attacked the nearest and followed it down; right on its tail fired 400 rounds at almost point blank range. Enemy aircraft fell completely o.o.c. and crashed about a mile N.W. of Leeke. (Bde. Summ.) // - Shot down an Albatross scout at point blank range; e.a. seen to crash. (Naval Summary) // 16.9.17 - Returning from special patrol near Nieuport fired 400 rounds into an e.a.; it went down smoking and crashed just behind MariaKerke, bursting into flames. (Bde. Summary) Patrolling with two others of Squadron saw air dual above him and attacked e.a. which attempted to escape; it was ultimately destroyed. - (Naval Summary) // 24.9.17 - Led formation vs. e.a. over Westende. Personally drove down one e.a. and another o.o.c. Chased the second for some distance, manoeuvred into position and fired 300 rounds at 25 yards; tracers hit, the e.a. rolled over, completely o.o.c. (Brigade Summary) // 27.9.17 - With Wood, formation engaged with 5 scouts over Westende; much firing; one e.a. damaged. (Bde. Summary) // - Shot down two e.a. o.o.c. (Naval Summary) // 30.9.17 - Leading patrol of five Sopwiths, personally attacked rearmost of formation of five Albatross scouts, firing long burst into it; e.a. dived and was lost to view. Owing to intensity of enemy gun fire, engagement had to be broken off; resumed later and one e.a. was driven down o.o.c. and another crashed just S. of MiddelKerke. Fight was about a mile out at sea. (Naval Summary) // 15.10.17 - Drove down e.a. over Zarren at 13,000’; following it down, saw the observer fall out and plane spin down on back emitting great clouds of smoke. (With F/S\ Oakley – a Canadian?) F/C. (Naval Summary) // 17.10.17 - Attacked e.a. at 13000’ over Nieuport and opened fire from 800’ below; e.a. dived steeply and all ammunition (600 rounds) was fired into it at 160-75 yards; e.a. last seen, still diving, below 800’, just E. of Middelkerke.(Naval Summary) // 21.10.17 - While on patrol E. of Slype with F/S/L Wood, encountered two biplanes and drove them down to 1,000’, one in flames.(Naval Summary) // 31.10.17 - On patrol in vicinity of Nieuport, attacked with his flight an Albatross 2-seater returning to his lines. One of Fall’s guns jammed so he fired all ammunition from the other gun. Remainder of the flight (five a/c) each fired 130 rounds at close range. Observer fired back about 50 rounds, stopped and was seen later to be lying in bottom of the cockpit. Enemy aircraft was last seen at 1,000’, emitting stream of black smoke. (Nava Summ.) // 6.11.17 - Attacked rearmost of e.a. formation attacking another R.N.A.S., fired 200 rounds from 25 yards; e.a. suddenly turned off and dived towards its lines, emitting white smoke. Though attacked by another e.a., he saw first one stall, fall over and go down o.o.c. (Naval Summary) // 13.11.17 - Attacked three e.a. and destroyed rear e.a. which crashed in the floods E. of Pervyse. (Naval Summary) // 5.12.17 - Fired into trenches E. of Nieuport Piers and along Canal S.E. of Nieuport. Also silenced an active machine gun in vicinity.(Naval Summary) // 6.12.17 - Attacked an e.a. W. of Staden from behind and above; got within 50 yards and fired 100 rounds before pilot was aware of him. Enemy aircraft dived but Fall. dived too and fired 250 rounds at less then 50 yards; e.a. dived steeply, went down on its back into the haze; appeared that it was destroyed.Naval Summary) // 22.12.17 - Attacked and drove down an Albatross scout S.E. of Quesnoy; attacked it first from the front, then the side and above, firing 100 rounds at close range “with deadly effect”. Observer (six) replied but feebly.(Naval Summary) // -joined No. 3 (N) with V Brigade during March 1917. 204/5/1403 // 24.12.17 - Freiston; School of Aerial Gunnery and Fighting; staff. D.S.C. A/S/Cdr, // R.N.A.S. COMMUNIQUES // 7.7.17 - On information being read, that e.a. had sent bombing machines to England, large formations from Nos. 3 and 4 Sqns, and a flight of Seaplane pilots in Pup m/cs proceeded to try and intercept them on their return; many actions took place with seaplanes and fighter e.a. sent to escort the bombers home. F/S/L J.S. T. Fall, No.3 Sqn., attacked 3-single-seater scouts at 18,500 and shot one down in flames. He was then attacked by the other two, so spun down to 5,000’, dived for the lines which he crossed at 2,000’. // - While leading his flight he attacked three seaplanes, killing the observer of one, and the remainder of his flight continued to drive it down smoking badly, until it crashed in the sea. F/S/L J.A. Glen attacked one of the two remaining seaplanes which dived straight into the water from 15,000’ and sank at once, only pieces of the planes remaining afloat. The third seaplane was driven down and completely crashed in the sea by F/S/Ls Glen, Rockford, Fall, Abbott and Armstrong. // - F/S/L Fall subsequently attacked and destroyed, in conjunction with F/S/L Glen, a third seaplane belonging to another flight of three. This seaplane also crashed in the water. No. 1 // 26.7.17 - A patrol of 5 Camels of No. 3 Sqn. consisting of F/Lt. Fall, and F/S/Ls Glen, Bawlf, Ellwood, and Beamish, intercepted four 2-seater enemy scouts carrying torpedoes and one single-seater enemy scout, on their way to attack the Fleet. The enemy scouts were driven back to Ostende, and formation broken up entirely, one Seaplane being seen to crash in the sea 2 miles off the shore. Communique No.2 // 17.8.17 - A patrol of 5 m/cs of No.3 Sqn. attacked 5 e.a. and F/S/L Fall shot down one e.a. completely o.o.c. Communique No. 4 // 22.8.17 - F/Cdr Breadner and F/Lt. Fall, of No.3, met part of the Bombers on their return and opened fire on a Gotha, killing the Observer but failing to bring down the machine, which emitted puffs of black smoke. Communique No. 4 // 30.9.17 - A patrol of No. 9 Sqn. attacked a hostile patrol of five Albatross 2-seaters. F/S/L Stackard shot down one completely o.o.c., and assisted F/Cdr. Fall and F/S/L Wood to shoot down another which was observed to crash. Communique No. 6 // 2.10.17 - F/Cdrs. Fall and Edwards of No. 9 Sqn., attacked and shot down an e.a. quite out of control. (See Banbury) Communique No. 7 // 16.10.17 - F/Cdr. Fall, observing a large enemy two-seater close under clouds, climbed above the clouds this side of lines, and then returned, dived on the e.a., and shot him down in flames, the observer falling out of the machine. Communique No. 8 // 17.10.17 - Engaged and drove down an e.a. single-seater rotary engine “V” strutter scout in a spin from 13,000’ to 500’. This machine was probably quite o.o.c. Communique No. 8 // 31.10.17 - F/Cdr. Fall of No. 9 Sqn. shot down an e.a. completely o.o.c., and the same pilot and his flight killed or badly wounded the observer of a two-seater Albatross. - Communique No. 8 // 4.11.17 - A patrol of five camels of No. 9 Sqn. was attacked by seven Albatross Scouts. F/Cdr. Fall drove one machine down which fell on its back, stalled, and was last seen spinning through the clouds. Communique No. 9 // 13.11.17 - During the afternoon high O.P. six Camels from No. 9 had encounters with several e.a. (F/Cdr.) - Fall and F/S/L Wood attacked three Albatross Scouts. The rearmost machine was destroyed, followed down, and seen to crash in the floods. The m/c hit a fence and turned over on its nose, partly upside down. This was confirmed by another pilot in the flight. On returning from replenishing ammo., F/Cdr. Fall attacked an Albatross two-seater; it was last seen at 500’ spinning on its back completely o.o.c. and was most probably destroyed. Communique No. 9 // 16/30.11.17 - A/F/Cdr. J.S.T. Fall, No. 9 Sqn; awarded Bar to D.S.C. // 6.11.17 - F/Cdr. Fall, whilst on a solo O.P. , attacked a D.F.W. (colour, mattled yellow and brown), S.E. of Ypres. It was seen to crash near Courtrai. Healso saw a D5 Albatross near Staden. Diving on him from out of the sun, he delivered a surprise attack at close range. The e.a. was last seen still diving on its back at 1,000’ and was o.o.c. most probably destroyed. Communique No. 11 // 8.12.17 - Whilst on a solo O.P., he attacked two Albatross scouts near Ypres. After a fairly long fight one of the e.a. folded up and spun down. The other scout chased F/Cdr. Fall back part of the way to the lines. Communique No. 11 // 1/15.12.17 - A/F/ Cdr. J.S.T. Fall, No. 9 Sqn., awarded 2nd bar to D.S.C. // 22.12.17 - While on a solo O.P., he attacked two Albatross scouts near Ypres. After a fairly long fight, one of the e.a. folded up and spun down. The other scout chased F/Cdr. Fall back part of the way to the lines. Communique No. 12