- Author
- Stevens, Errol
- Subjects
- Biographies and personal histories, Naval Aviation, History - WW1
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- December 1996 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
No.40 Squadron was equipped with SE5a aircraft, a successful scout fighter from the Royal Aircraft Factory (later establishment) and Dallas obtained his first victory in this type on April 11.
Meanwhile on April 1, No.40 R.F.C. became No.40 R.A.F and Dallas became a Major R.A.F. on the amalgamation of the R.N.A.S. and R.F.C. to form the Royal Air Force.
On April 14 a bullet from ground fire shattered in his cockpit and he was wounded by fragments in his left thigh and ankle and admitted to hospital. The wounds were not serious and he was discharged to duty on April 18. Dallas had been noting his ideas on aerial fighting for some time and in April produced a small booklet entitled “Notes on Fighting in the Air” for the use of new and inexperienced pilots, based on actual experience.
Rather like the Captain of a ship who often sees aircraft and ships before the Officer of the Watch or lookouts because he has trained himself to look and see, so Dallas makes the vital point, amongst many others, on the necessity of seeing the enemy before he sees you to avoid surprise attacks. He also gives hints on methods of attack, complete with diagrams, formation flying, and anti-aircraft fire.
His Distinguished Service Order was awarded on April 26, and he achieved another 9 victories in No. 40 with his last on May 30. He had also received medals from the USA and French Aero Clubs.
His last flight was when he took off alone from Bruay in SE5a No.D3530 at 1010 on June 1. He was seen in combat with 3 Fokker Triplanes over Lievin just before midday and crashed north-west of Lens near the road to Bethune at 1235. He was found dead in the cockpit, and he was buried in the British War Cemetery, Pernes, France. His permanent grave stone is headed by the R.A.F. crest and reads:
MAJOR R.S. DALLAS DSO DSC ROYAL AIR FORCE 1st JUNE 1918 NOT LOST BUT GONE BEFORE His next of kin at the time of his death was his mother residing at Moggill Road, Taringa, Queensland.
Dallas was a natural leader who was genuinely liked and respected by his officers and men. As a commanding Officer he had a heavy administrative load but he believed in leading by example and continued to do more than his fair share of combat flying as well as coping efficiently with all his other duties. He was an outstanding fighter pilot with great skill and courage. Perhaps the dual burden of combat flying and administration of the squadron tended to tire him more than he realised and so dulled his normally acute alertness in the air. He was extremely proud of the good name of his family and was most emphatic in his letters that he would preserve it no matter what the cost.
Other Memorabilia and Information
- The Queensland Museum Brisbane has on display his medals, naval sword, silver tray from No. 1 Squadron, a display board of his life and a large photo as a Flight Lieutenant R.N.A.S., and it is understood to have some documentation in its archives.
- The Mount Morgan Historical Museum has two large photographs in naval uniform and some documentation on display, plus other material in its files.
- The Mount Morgan State Primary School has a photo of Dallas as a Lieutenant in Army uniform and his name is listed on their Great War Honour Board.
- The Australian Naval Aviation Museum, Nowra has a photo on display and some material in its files.
- The Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton has some documentation as does the Imperial War Museum London and the R.A.F. Museum Hendon.
There is a Dallas Place in Canberra named after him, and the Australian War Memorial has several photos and a file in its archives containing U.K. travel warrants, some 1916 flying notes and several letters.
His name is listed in the Book of Remembrance, St Clements Dane, London.
The sources of this article are many and varied. However, great assistance has come from Arthur Christmas of Mount Morgan Historical Museum, Rick McQualter of Canberra, Bob Ceale of Australian Naval Aviation Museum Nowra, the Fleet Air Arm Museum Yeovilton, articles by E.P. Wixted and Reveille.