Country:
Great Britain
Established:
28 December 1915
Criteria:
The Military Cross (MC) was awarded to commissioned
officers of the rank of Captain or below and warrant
officers for distinguished and meritorious service in
battle. For additional acts of bravery, a straight silver
bar was awarded. WWI Awards:
2885 (294 bars and 16 second bars)

Recipients - World War I Aces

Name:
Chester Stairs Duffus


Country:
Canada
Rank:
Major
Service:
Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force
Squadrons:
22, 25
Victories:
5

Born:
1 March 1891
Place of Birth:
Halifax, Nova Scotia

Notes:

Duffus joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1915. Before assuming command of 25 Squadron, he scored five victories in 1916 while serving with 22 Squadron as a Bristol F.E.2b pilot.

Military Cross (MC):

"For conspicuous skill and gallantry in fights with hostile aircraft. On one occasion, after hard fighting, he brought down a hostile machine in flames on our side of the lines." MC citation, London Gazette, 14 November 1916

The versatile Bristol Fighter was a maneuverable, heavily armed two-seater biplane designed by Frank S. Barnwell. One of the most successful fighters of the war, it got off to a poor start during "Bloody April" when it was introduced to the Western Front by the inexperienced pilots and observers of 48 Squadron. In the mistaken belief that the Brisfit was structurally weak, pilots were instructed to avoid violent maneuvers during combat. Heeding this advice, the pilots of six Bristol F.2a Fighters encountered Manfred von Richthofen and his flight of five Albatros
D.III's near Douai. In a fight that lasted almost 30 minutes, four of the Brisfits were shot down. The fight with Jasta 11 almost convinced the British to withdraw this aircraft from service. The highest scoring ace for this aircraft was Canadian ace Andrew McKeever with 31 victories.