A/Cdre Charles Edward Henry RATHBORNE D.S.O. with Bar
- Born: 17 Feb 1886, Trieste, Austria
- Marriage (1): Olive Alice RAINES in 1919
- Died: 21 Dec 1943 aged 57
General Notes:
Served in WWI in RN Air Service and RAF.
DSO w/ Bar
From: http://www.flyingmarines.com/Biographies/1911-1920/Rathborne.htm
1. Name Charles Edward Henry RATHBORNE R.M.L.I
2. Date Commissioned 1 September 1903
3. Date retired Transferred to R.A.F. 1 August 1919
Retired from R.AF. 13 October 1935
4. Rank Temp Lt. Colonel 31 December 1916 D.S.O.*
Air Commodore R.A.F., C.B., D.S.O.*
5. Awarded wings 16 April 1913
6. Flying schools Central Flying School , Upavon
7. Aircraft types flown Short Biplane, Maurice Farman, White Seaplane, BE2, Camel
8. Decorations D.S.O. 17 January 1919 (Capt. RMLI. Wing Cdr. RNAS)
"In recognition of his gallantry and devotion to duty during the course of a long distance air raid in which he acted as a pilot of a fighting machine which formed part of the escort. Wing Commander Rathborne was brought down whilst protecting the bombing machines, his engine having been put out of action. It was owing to the gallantry and self-sacrifice of this officer and those of other fighting machines that all the bombing machines returned safely from the raid".
D.S.O. Bar 16 December 1919
"For gallantry in escaping from captivity whilst a prisoner of war."
C.B. 1935
1914 Star, War Medal, Victory Medal.
9. General From the outbreak of the Great War he was in charge of seaplanes operating from Dunkirk until joining the Independent Air Force in France. Having been promoted to Wing Commander on 31 December 1916 he was involved in fighter operations and was escorting a bombing force in April 1917 when he was shot down and captured near Lake Constance, Germany, and became a POW. On 23 July 1918 he escaped from Holzminden POW camp and regained the Allied lines on 28 July 1918.
For his part in the raid he was awarded the D.S.O., and a Bar for his escape.
He transferred to the R.AF. on 1 August 1919 and he eventually gained promotion to Air Commodore. Among his appointments were : -
1930 - 32 Chief Staff Officer, Inland Area.
1932 - 35 A.O.C. R.A.F. Mediterranean.
He retired on 13 Oct 1935 and from 1938 he held the post of Area Deputy Commandant, Southern Area, Observer Corps.
He died on 21 December 1943.
Charles married Olive Alice RAINES, daughter of H. H. B. RAINES and Unknown, in 1919.
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