Dennis Latimer

Captain Dennis Latimer (31 August 1895 – 12 January 1976) was a British World War I flying ace notable for achieving twenty-eight aerial victories, all against enemy fighter aircraft.

Early life Latimer was born in Withington, Shropshire, to James Davies and Ida Lottie Latimer. By 1901 the family was residing in Towyn, Merionethshire, Wales, where his father was a hotel proprietor. and was appointed a flying officer on 27 April. In early 1918 he was posted to No. 20 Squadron RFC to fly a Bristol F.2b two-seater fighter. Latimer scored his first victory on 13 March with Lieutenant James Scaramanga as his observer/gunner, the only one he scored in the Royal Flying Corps. Latimer and Noel gained nine more victories in June and July, and in August Latimer and Sergeant Arthur Newland gained five more. However, on 22 August, Latimer was again flying with Noel, when they were shot down by Leutnant Willi Nebgen of Jasta 7. Noel was killed and Latimer captured.

Latimer was subsequently awarded the Military Cross which was gazetted on 13 September. His citation read: Temporary Lieutenant Dennis Latimer, RAF. "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on offensive patrol. He and his observer in four days' fighting destroyed seven enemy machines and drove down three. They did magnificent service."

A week later his award of the Distinguished Flying Cross was published, the citation reading: Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) Dennis Latimer, MC. "When leading an offensive patrol this officer displayed great skill and bravery. Having shot down a scout in flames, he immediately engaged a second, which he destroyed after a short combat. In addition, he has accounted for four other machines."

Latimer was eventually repatriated following the armistice, and was transferred to the RAF's unemployed list on 10 April 1919.

List of aerial victories +Combat record No.Date/TimeAircraft/Serial No.Opponent Result Location Notes1 13 March 1918@ 1255 Bristol F.2b(C4615) Albatros D.V Out of control Comines—Wervicq Observer: 2nd Lt. James Scaramanga.2 21 April 1918@ 1110 Bristol F.2b(B1232) Albatros D.V Out of control North of Wervicq Observer: Lt. Tom Noel.3 8 May 1918@ 1320 Bristol F.2b(C856) Albatros D.V Destroyed in flames South-east of Wervicq Observer: Lt. Tom Noel.4 8 May 1918@ 1640 Bristol F.2b(C856) Fokker Dr.I Destroyed in flames Comines—Wervicq Observer: Lt. Tom Noel.5 Fokker Dr.I Out of control6 Fokker Dr.I Out of control7 14 May 1918@ 1845–1850 Bristol F.2b(C856) Albatros D.V Destroyed Wervicq Observer: Lt. Tom Noel.8 Albatros D.V Captured Zillebeke9 15 May 1918@ 1045–1115 Bristol F.2b(C856) Pfalz D.III Out of control North-west of Lille Observer: Lt. Tom Noel.10 Fokker Dr.I Destroyed Comines—Ypres11 18 May 1918@ 0700 Bristol F.2b(C856) Pfalz D.III Destroyed Comines Observer: Lt. Tom Noel.12 18 May 1918@ 1140 Bristol F.2b(C856) Pfalz D.III Destroyed North-east of Nieppe Forest Observer: Lt. Tom Noel.13 Pfalz D.III Out of control Merville14 20 May 1918@ 1130–1135 Bristol F.2b(C856) Albatros D.V Destroyed in flames North-east of Merville Observer: Lt. Tom Noel.15 Albatros D.V Destroyed Coucou Aerodrome16 1 June 1918@ 0630 Bristol F.2b(C892) Pfalz D.III Destroyed Comines Observer: Lt. Tom Noel.17 9 June 1918@ 0915 Bristol F.2b(C892) Pfalz D.III Destroyed Comines Observer: Lt. Tom Noel.18 17 June 1918@ 0745 Bristol F.2b(C987) Fokker D.VII Out of control Boesinghe Observer: Lt. Tom Noel.Shared with Lt. William Thomson & 2nd Lt. F. J. Ralphs.19 30 June 1918@ 0730 Bristol F.2b(C987) Pfalz D.III Destroyed Comines Observer: Lt. Tom Noel.20 1 July 1918@ 1845 Bristol F.2b(C987) Fokker Dr.I Out of control Menin Observer: Lt. Tom Noel.21 14 July 1918@ 0900 Bristol F.2b(C987) Fokker D.VII Out of control South-east of Ypres Observer: Lt. Tom Noel.22 Fokker D.VII Out of control Observer: Lt. Tom Noel.Shared with Lt. August Iaccaci & 2nd Lt. Ronald Turner.23 19 July 1918@ 0845 Bristol F.2b(C987) Fokker D.VII Destroyed North of Comines Observer: Lt. Tom Noel.24 14 August 1918@ 1800–1830 Bristol F.2b(D7993) Pfalz D.III Destroyed Dadizeele Observer: Sgt. Arthur Newland.25 Pfalz D.III Destroyed26 21 August 1918@ 1910–1915 Bristol F.2b(D7993) Pfalz D.III Destroyed Menin Observer: Sgt. Arthur Newland.27 Pfalz D.III Destroyed Dadizeele28 Pfalz D.III Destroyed Gheluwe Observer: Sgt. Arthur Newland.Shared with Capt. Horace Lale & 2nd Lt. F. J. Ralphs.