Walter M. Carlaw

Squadron Leader Walter Macfarlane Carlaw (8 March 1899 – 24 November 1956) was a Scottish flying ace who served during World War I, and was credited with 12 confirmed aerial victories. He returned to RAF service during World War II.

Early life Walter Macfarlane Carlaw was the son of Walter and Jeannie Carlaw of Blythwood in Glasgow, Scotland.

World War I Carlaw joined the Royal Flying Corps in May 1917, Posted to 70 Squadron in early 1918, his first success came three days after his nineteenth birthday, on 11 March 1918; he was one of four pilots credited with destroying a German observation balloon over Menen, Belgium. He shared the win with Frank Granger Quigley, Alfred Michael Koch, and Kenneth Seth-Smith. The following day, 12 March 1918, he single-handedly drove down an Albatros D.V out of control.

He was appointed a flight commander, with the acting rank of captain on 14 July 1918. On 29 July 1918, he destroyed an Albatros D.VII, which began a string of ten triumphs over the new advanced German fighter aircraft. By the time he ended his tally on 14 October 1918, he had destroyed seven Fokker D.VIIs and driven down three others out of control.

On 17 January 1919 Carlaw was transferred to the unemployed list, returning to Glasgow to have a successful career as a mechanical engineer. being confirmed in the rank on 28 January 1942. He was promoted to flying officer on 1 October 1942, and to flight lieutenant on 1 October 1945.

After the war Carlaw remained on the list of reserve officers until relinquishing his commission on 10 February 1954, and was granted permission to retain the rank of squadron leader.

Carlaw died on 24 November 1956, and is buried at Cardross cemetery, Scotland.