Lieut John Mitchell, DSO, DFC

Served with "C" Flight 47 squadron, RAF, South Russia.
Disembarked South Russia 25 June 1919.
Wounded 6th August 1919 (shot from ground and hospitalised) while flying as observer to Capt Anderson in DH9 D2942.
Embarked to UK 28 March 1920

Recipient of the following Russian awards for service in South Russia 1919.1920:-
"Order of St Vladimir, 4th Class with Swords"
"Order of St Stanislaus, 2nd Class with Swords"
"Cross of St George, 4th Class"

Known for one particular heroic exploit flying with Capt Walter Anderson 30 July 1919.

Appears in 3 known photographs of 47 Squadron.

What happened to him post 1920? I would very much like to know.

Thanks in anticipation.

This is my first post so bear with me please

I am trying to get info on Lieut Mitchell for his grandson

I have spoken with Lieut Mitchells grandson who has his record of service

I will endevour to forward a copy later

He did various courses in 1920 and 1921 and was transferred to the Reserve of Air Force Officers on 5.6.1925

He may have gone to Canada thereafter but certainly returned to the Channel Islands and remarried [perhaps illegally according to the grandson]

He has no further information at this stage but is attempting to contact relatives in Canada to see if they can shed further light on the matter

I trust this is of some use

Also if you go towww.legionmagazine.com an article Canadians against the Bolsheviks: Air Force Part 25
Jan 8 2008 has a photo showing Lieut Mitchell on the right of the back row

Hello jpt and welcome to the G W Forum.

I was thrilled to see my post for Lieut Mitchell reappear.

At this time I am in the process of undertaking systematic research into the officers and men of 47 Squadron RAF, South Russia. 1919/1920. Currently working on surnames beginning with the letter F.

I would certainly welcome any snippets to add to my records, not least a copy of Lieut Mitchell's service record.

Lt Mitchell's grandson is the second relative of the former 47 Squadron men to emerge following my numerous requests for information on this unit. I am already in regular contact with the relative of one other officer.

Any information you can provide will be much valued and your are welcome to send a pm if you prefer.

The photo to which you refer (albeit I have not yet seen it on the site you mention) is likely to be that of the "C" Flight officers taken in 1919. Lieut Mitchell also appears in two other known photographs taken during this time frame.

Regards

Rob

Does anyone have any other information on Lt John Mitchell ?

My Grandfather Divorced my Grandmother in Jedburgh Scotland and went to work in Halifax as a Rolls Royce mechanic, met a Guernsey lady Minnie LaRue married her and retired to Guernsey where he died in 1967?.

Marvin A. Mitchell

marvingeol@telus.net

Hello Marvin and "Welcome to the Forum"

Firstly may I thank you very much for making contact.

I've managed to obtain snippets of information on your grandfather but would like to know more.

The following you will probably know but is included here to give you some idea of what I have.

Lt John Mitchell, 47 Squadron, South Russia
Served primarily with "C" Flight.
Disembarked Novorossisk, 25 June 1919

DFC (Do not have dates or information for this)
DSO 1920 for South Russia (for "heroic exploits" [my words] with Capt Walter Anderson).
Order of St Vladimir, 4th Class with Swords.
Order of St Stanislaus (2nd class with Swords).
St George Cross, 4th Class (Award number not known by me)

15 March 1920. Mentioned in Despatches (by Major-General H C Holman) South Russia
Embarked South Russia 28th March 1920.

19 June 1920. Attended the Independent Air Force Dinner (4th Annual Reunion) at Hotel Cecil, chaired by Sir Hugh Trenchard.

Transferred to the RAF Reserve June 1923.

Photographed with officers and other ranks of "C" Flight, (a rather large photo of this group hangs in my living room).

Appears in two other known photographs.

Would very much like to know more about him if you can oblige.

Best regards

Rob

I appreciate you are looking for info from 1920 onwards.

I was intrigued and first found the DSO citation in Creagh's book 'The DSO 1886-1923'.

For those in this Forum who may not have done so then here is the link to the London Gazette 30th March 1920. Its well worth reading - epic and quite remarkable.


www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31847/supplements/4019

Philip

Hello Philip

Thanks for posting the London Gazette entry regarding Lt John Mitchell and Capt Walter Anderson.

I seem to recall that Anderson and Mitchell could have been cited for the VC for their actions and that bungled paperwork may have prevented this from occurring.

As I understand it - Capt Anderson and Lt Mitchell (Observer) were flying as escort to Capt William Elliot and his observer Lt Laidlaw. Elliot's fuel tank was pierced by machine-gun fire and was forced to crash land. Anderson and Mitchell rescued Elliot and Laidlaw and took them to a safe place, a village on the banks of the Volga, about 5 miles south of Tsaritsyn, where they spent the night. Next day they were rescued by 2 aircraft piloted by Capt Frogley and Lt Hatchett.

It is my understanding that Lt Mitchell may have received burns from the exhausts while standing on the bottom plane of the DH9. Hoping that Marvin (Lt Mitchell's grandson) may be able to throw more light on this.

Incidentally, at the foot of the LG page is an entry to Capt Sydney Frogley. Do you know if any further information appears on the page following? I would take a look myself but don't have access to the LG.

Regards

Rob

Rob

Here is the link to the next page

www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31847/supplements/4020

Have you explored the press archives - for there is sure to be a write up on their DSO investiture. I am not an expert on accessing data within the National Archives but AIR 2 includes material on decorations, including those RAF Officers awarded Tsarist Russian or Italian decorations (AIR 2/2844-5 and 93660) recommendations for gallantry awards 1918. Whether these cover the late awards 1920 I do not know.

As for recommendations for the V.C. Micheal J.Crook in his book 'The Evolution of the Victoria Cross' published in 1975 page 263 makes the point that 'the virtually complete weeding (i.e destruction) of all War Office files on First World War VC awards from 1915 on' makes it difficult to study the detailed development of opinion on the question of VC awards. It fairly evident some basic ground rules had been drawn up in November 1914 for VCs to be given only in exceptional circumstances for the rescue of wounded officers; and in the case of wounded men where a rescue had been made on the sole initiative of the NCO or private are cases where a recommendation would be given.

Clearly the circumstances here are different - a down aircraft, the rescue of its crew and exceptional courage in flying back with a leaking petrol tank with a finger pressed against the air frame to prevent spillage.

Michael makes no reference to Anderson or Mitchell in his book. Whether with the sands of time further information has since come to light in terms of WW1 VC recommendations I have no idea. It might be worth you asking the National Archives - for they are sure to have intel reports covering 1919 for Russia and possibly this particular flight if you have not already done so.

Philip

Philip

Thankyou for your detailed response. I think I'll make contact with the NA in the coming week and see what they can provide.

Like yourself, I am certainly no expert in accessing data at the NA but would very much like to get first hand information on the White Russian Awards made to the officers and other ranks of 47 Squadron.

Many officers and other ranks appear in the book "White Russian Awards" by Ray Brough. About 100 RAF officers in all served, in some way or another, with 47 Squadron, but a number of these were only there short term.

Returning to the Anderson/Mitchell, Elliot/Laidlaw incident of 1919 -
I would love to know if either party openly discussed this story, and whether or not it appeared in any early publications.

Capt William Elliot later became Air Marshall, Sir William Elliot;

Capt Walter Anderson, as Chief Pilot of British Airways, together with 2 of his crew, was killed soon after take off from Gatwick Airport, September 1936;

Lt John Mitchell, as is known from a recent post provided by his grandson, died in 1967;

Whatever happened to Lt Laidlaw! Perhaps someone out there knows the answer.

Best regards

Rob

These are some of the reasons why this was a particularly courageous rescue. In addition, the London Gazette makes the point that "if captured, the fate of the crew can only be conjectured". Raymond Collishaw in his book "Air Command" says that the Bolsheviks had made it clear that if they captured any British Airmen, then if they were lucky they would be crucified. If they were unlucky, they would still be crucified, but with a variation on which part of the anatomy the nails would go through.

Anderson would only have had to put a wheel down a rabbit hole, or the Crimean equivalent, and they would have been captured.

Collishaw believed the VCs were not awarded because by 1919 the public were fed up with war and the government did not need the propaganda value of VC awards. There is also the aspect that for most of the twentieth century, large sections of the British Establisment believed that the Bolsheviks were actually the good guys.

Also, the requirements for a VC were generally being raised. In WW1, Bell Davies and McNamara were awarded VCs for landing to rescue comrades. By WW2, such feats were only considered to merit a DSO [e.g. Bobby Geddes - though of course if he had been captured by the German Afrika Korps he would probably not have been executed]. But the WW1 awards were consistent with the fact that previously, VCs had been awarded to men who had ridden into the thick of the enemy troops to rescue a comrade whose horse had been killed. These men, and Bell Davies (who faced Bulgarian cavalry), would have been killed if captured, as would Anderson and Mitchell.

Good Day Sir.

My name is Bob Mitchell (Younger brother of Marvin) and the youngest grandson of John Mitchell. I have in my possession the miniatures (Mess Dress) copies of his war medals which include four Russian medals including the "Order of Saint Anne (Third Class with Swords). I also have a copy of the DSO Citation( From RAF Officers Records, Ministry of Defence) sent to my father in Jun 1968 along with the origional of the "Mentioned in Dispatches" for "Gallant and Distinguished Services in the Field"dated 13 Mar 1920 signed by Maj Gen H.C. Holman. I also have a photocopy of his Service Record and exerpts from a book "War over Russia"in which he was mentioned.
Post Service I believe that he retrained and became a mechanic for Rolls Royce(Aero Engine I would guess). He remarried and moved to the Channel Islands. During WWII when the Germans occupied the Islands he was sent to a Prisoner of war camp in Southern Germany returning to Guernsey post war where he died in Jan 1964.
I hope that this info is of some use to you. Feel free to contact me at any time I am interested in knowing if there are any decendants of the Pilot Walter Anderson still alive in Canada.

Yours Aye
Mitch

Mitch
Thanks for this information. Those of us who have studied this incident are very grateful, and glad that he seems to have had a reasonable life apart from the unpleasantness in WW2.

Anyone know about Laidlaw?

Good afternoon Mitch

Thank you very much indeed for your post in response to Lt Mitchell.

The award of the Order of St Anne (Third class with Swords) came as a surprise as this information was hitherto unknown to me. I note you have miniature dress medals but you may be interested to know that a company in the USA manufactures full size reproduction Russian Medals (at reasonable cost). The originals, as you will know, command considerable sums.

Marvin, in an earlier post, mentioned that Lt Mitchell went to work at Rolls Royce and, following his second marriage, settled in the Channel Islands. I am sorry to hear he was sent to a POW camp in Southern Germany.

Did he ever talk of his experiences in South Russia and the "heroic exploit with Capt Anderson" in particular? I have a photo, and description, of Capt Elliots crashed DH9. How on earth Elliot and his Observer, Laidlaw, survived this incident I shall never know. It does not appear to have landed in one piece as seems to have been recorded in some books.

Do you have a physical description of your grandfather and his place of birth? It would be good to include it with the small archive I have on him.

Lt Mitchell appears in a group photo depicting the officers and other ranks of "C" Flight taken at Gniloaksayskaya, close to the Volga front, 19th September, 1919. I see his face every day, for this large framed photo hangs in my living room. Incidentally, the photo depicting the officers of "C" Flight which appears in Colishaw's book "Air Command" was taken at the same place on the very same day (90 years ago last Saturday).

I have been slowly accumulating an extensive archive on the officers and other ranks who served with No. 47 Squadron, "C" Flight, in particular. Any other information from his service record, which you may care to share, will be most welcome.

Incidentally, Capt W F Anderson, DSO, DFC, the youngest son of the late Capt John Weir Anderson of Toronto, married 2nd February 1922 at the British Consulate and afterwards at All Saints Church, Cairo, to Phyllis Mary Joseph of Zeitorin, Cairo.
Capt Anderson was born 6th October 1890 at Ryde, Isle of Wight.

Once again thank you very much indeed for making contact.

Best regards

Rob

If Elliot wrecked his aircraft force-landing (presumably on rough ground), it was even braver of Anderson to attempt to land - especially with Mitchell standing on the wing, and knowing he was having to take-off four-up.

Hi Adrian

You raised the point which has been in my mind for some time.

In my response to Mitch I asked if his grandfather had ever discussed this particular event. It would be good to get first hand and, perhaps, more detailed information on what happened that day. Heroic it certainly was.

By the way, I have little information on Lt Laidlaw but one of W F Anderson's co-directors at British Air Transport Ltd, which was set up in 1932, was a man by the name of W G Laidlaw!

Regards

Rob

Rob,

We have two different death dates for John Mitchell: January, 1964 and 1967; agreement as to place but not date. Which is it?
Also, does anyone know his birthdate and birthplace?

Regards

Trelawney

Hello Trelawney

According to Lt Mitchell's grandson, Bob, John Mitchell passed away in 1964.

In my 9.57 25/09/09 reply to Mitch I asked for further details, if he can oblige.

Will keep you posted.

By the way, do you have Cornish connections (by the Tre, Pol and Pen)!

Rob

Hi All:

Sorry for the delay in replying but I'm still a working man. As to John Mitchell's date of death I am pretty sure that it was 2 Jan 1964 on the Isle of Guernsey of Coronary Thrombosis and Arteriosclerosis.
As for he comments about the events of the DSO event they are not known to any of his origional family. Post war he seperated from his wife and left Scotland and as far as we know had no further contact with his family. His wife divorced him 18 Jul 1933. His new wife M LaRue didn't know about his previous family until after his death when contacted by my father William Mitchell in 1967/8. As for his birth place I believe that he was born 11 Mar 1888 at Whitehaugh, Wilton, Roxburgh, Scotland to Charles and Mary-Ann Mitchell (nee Borrowman). Pre war he was employed as a Police Constable in the English county of Durham. Other than that little is known of him. His ex-wife destroyed most of his effects prior to her moving to Canada in fact I was very suprised to learn that his medals survived and were part of a collection. His sons all remained in Canada( around the Vancouver area) but his ex and his daughter returned to Jedburgh, Scotland. I hope that this helps fill in a few gaps for you. If i find out any more I will certainly post.

Yours Aye
Mitch

Mitch and Rob

Thank you for the very informative, and extensive, biographical information. Mitchell & Anderson's
courage was extraordinary and they both warrant a more informed remembrance. Here is some
additional biographical information from the 1891 & 1901 Scotland Census (if anyone has access,
checking the 1911 England Census, for Durham, would also be helpful):
1891: John - Mitchell, age 3, parents: Charles & "Maryann"; birthplace listed as Hawick, Wilton,
Roxburghshire
1901: John, age 13, parents: Charles & Mary Ann; birthplace listed as Wilton, Roxburghshire;
family resided at Barnshill Cottage, Ancrum, Roxburghshire; John listed as a
"scholar." The Mitchell family included 7 children; John was the 4th oldest.

Rob, you are quite informed: some of my family was from Kea, Cornwall, in the centuries past
(the family of Great War ace Richard Michael Trevethan, RFC/RAF, was nearby).

Trelawney

Hello Mitch

Thanks once again for your detailed input.

Your grandfather, to say the least, appears to have been a colourful character.

Do you have any photographs of him, other than that which featured in Air Command. A second photo of him, with fellow officers in South Russia, also appears in another book (title escapes me at this time). I'll get back to you on this.

Trelawney has kindly supplied details from the census to add to John Mitchell's story.

The story of No 47 Squadron and its involvement in the Russian Civil War and the Mitchell, Anderson, Elliot, and Laidlaw incident in particular would certainly make an interesting documentary. The squadron celebrates its 100th anniversary (of its formation) in 2016. Is anyone tackling the squadron's history?

It is good to have been in contact with family members of at least three of the principal players, Collishaw, Mitchell and Aten.

Are there any other family members out there who have descended from any of 47s (South Russia) officers and other ranks!

Best regards

Rob

Rob

The only pics the I have of my Grandfather are ones taken in his later years. When he left his family my Grandmother destroyed everything that belonged to him. My father said that he remembered a picture of him receiving his DSO and that because his hand(s) were so heavily bandaged he kept them behind his back out of sight. We believe that he may have lost the tips(or more) of some of his fingers. The only picture that I've seen of him in uniform is in the Legion Magazine. To see that picture go to "legionmagazine.com", archives, January 2008, Canadians Against the Bolsheviks. In that photo he is rear right.

Yours Aye
Mitch

Mitch

Thanks once again for information supplied.

Have tried to send a personal message but it seems you may not yet have access to this facility.

As previously mentioned, a photo of your grandfather appears in Air Command. Another photo (with several officers of 47 Squadron) also features in "The RFC/RNAS Handbook 1914-1918" by Peter G Cooksley. Mr Cooksley kindly supplied me with a copy of the same several years ago.

Will certainly take a look at "legionmagazine.com"

Best regards

Rob

Rob
The system as yet will not allow me to send personal messages. to reach me try. r-cmitchell@shaw.ca

Mitch

This is a note of rememberence to all those who gave their lives in the service of their country. My you always Rest in Peace and never be forgotten. "We WILL Remember Them"

Yours Aye
Bob Mitchell CD
CPO2 RCN/CF retd