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Cecil Marchant

Captain Cecil James Marchant MC (15 June 1895 – 30 May 1965) was an English flying ace during World War I. He was credited with nine aerial victories.^[1]

Cecil James Marchant was born in London, and enlisted into the Army in 1913, when he was 18 years old.^[2] He served in the 2nd Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, and had achieved the rank of sergeant by 8 October 1914, when he received a mention in despatches from the Commander-in-Chief, Field-Marshal Sir John French.^[3] He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 14th Battalion, The Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) on 22 July 1915.^[4]

Marchant served about 18 months in the trenches, before being transferred to the Royal Flying Corps.^[2] He was granted Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No. 3971 on 1 August 1916,^[1] and was appointed a flying officer the same day, as was customary on completion of pilot training, and transferred to the General List.^[5]

His first assignment was as a Sopwith Pup pilot in No. 46 Squadron in early 1917. He was promoted to lieutenant on 1 March 1917.^[6] That combat tour ended in June.^[2]

On 1 January 1918, Marchant was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain.^[7] He returned to No. 46 Squadron in February 1918, which had been re-equipped with the Sopwith Camel. He scored his first aerial victory on 22 March, and ran his tally to nine over the next 45 days.^[2]

He was awarded the Military Cross, which was gazetted on 22 June 1918. His citation read:

Temporary Captain Cecil James Merchant, General List and Royal Flying Corps.

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He, with two other pilots of his squadron, bombed a freight train from a height of 50 feet, three trucks being derailed. Again, on a later occasion he, with five other pilots, bombed and fired at a column of enemy transport with such good effect that three-quarters of the personnel became casualties and most of the vehicles were destroyed. Whilst on a low bombing reconnaissance during the recent operations he brought down two hostile two-seater machines out of control and shot down a third in flames. He has at all times displayed marked gallantry and resource."^[8]

On 2 July 1918, Marchant was wounded severely enough to require his removal from combat duty for hospitalization.^[2] He was temporarily appointed a 3rd Class Staff Officer in the Air Ministry on 6 October 1918,^[9] and again on 10 February 1919.^[10] On 20 March 1919, he was appointed an adjutant; this time, he was an acting captain, though drawing the pay and allowances as a lieutenant.^[11]

Postwar, Marchant worked in his family's business. He was also a prime mover in organising squadron reunions.^[2][12][13]

Cecil James Marchant died on 30 May 1965.^[1]

• Shores, Christopher F.; Franks, Norman & Guest, Russell F. (1990). Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920. London, UK: Grub Street. ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9.