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Name: Camille Henri Raoul Lagesse
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and Bar
Croix de Guerre [Belgium]
Country: Canada
Rank: Captain
Service: Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force
Units: 29
Victories: 20
Born: 10 January 1893
Place of Birth:  
Died:  
Place of Death:  
 
Joining the Royal Flying Corps in July 1917, Camille Henri Raoul Lagesse was promoted to temporary 2nd Lieutenant (on probation) on 26 September 1917 and posted to 29 Squadron on 20 March 1918. Flying the S.E.5a, he scored 20 victories, including two balloons and accumulated 426 hours of flight time in combat. Credited with his 5th victory on 6 June 1918, he forced down a Fokker D.VII and captured its pilot. Today, the plane he captured is part of the Royal Air Force Museum Collection. Claiming three aircraft on 7 October 1918, Lagesse downed a Fokker D.VII in flames near Staden. His opponent, German ace Herbert Boy, was captured after jumping from his plane with a burning parachute.
 
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Lt. (T./Capt.) Camille Henri Raoul Lagesse.
   When on wireless interception duty Capt. Lagesse, in company with another officer, was attacked by seven scouts. Engaging one, he followed it down from 11,000 feet to 2,000 feet, when it crashed. Bold in attack, skilful in execution, he has proved himself on many occasions to be a fine airman.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 2 November 1918 (30989/12968)
 
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Bar
Lieut. (A../Capt.) Camille Henri Raoul Lagesse, D.F.C. (FRANCE)
   A scout leader of marked ability and daring who, since 28th August, has destroyed thirteen enemy aeroplanes, displaying at all times brilliant leadership and courage. On 2nd October, when leading a patrol of four machines, he dived on eight Fokkers; four of these were destroyed, Captain Lagesse accounting for one.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 8 February 1919 (31170/2033)
 
Victories
Date Time Unit Aircraft Opponent Location
1 22 May 1918 0525 29 S.E.5a (D5969) DFW C (DESF) 1 N of Steenwerck
2 28 May 1918 1120 29 S.E.5a (D5969) Pfalz D.III (DES) Neuf Berquin
3 29 May 1918 1940 29 S.E.5a (D5969) Albatros D.V (OOC) W of Armentières
4 02 Jun 1918 0815 29 S.E.5a (D5969) C (OOC) 2 Bailleul-Armentières
5 06 Jun 1918 1810 29 S.E.5a (D5969) Fokker D.VII (CAP) N of Hazebrouck
6 19 Jun 1918 1935 29 S.E.5a (E1263) Balloon (DES) NE of Estaires
7 04 Aug 1918 0730 29 S.E.5a (E1263) DFW C (DES) S of Wulverghem
8 12 Aug 1918 1940 29 S.E.5a (E1263) Fokker D.VII (DES) SE of Bailleul
9 18 Aug 1918 1750 29 S.E.5a (C1942) Pfalz D.III (DESF) Bailleul
10 14 Sep 1918 1010 29 S.E.5a (E4084) Balloon (DES) W of Quesnoy
11 16 Sep 1918 0835 29 S.E.5a (E4084) Fokker D.VII (DES) E of Linselles
12 02 Oct 1918 1520 29 S.E.5a (E5999) Fokker D.VII (DES) Roulers
13 05 Oct 1918 0800 29 S.E.5a (E4084) Balloon (DES) 3 ENE of Menin
14 07 Oct 1918 0850 29 S.E.5a (E4084) Fokker D.VII (DESF) Staden
15 07 Oct 1918 0845 29 S.E.5a (E4084) LVG C (DES) 4 Staden-Roulers
16 07 Oct 1918 0850 29 S.E.5a (E4084) Rumpler C (CAP) SE of Houthoulst Forest
17 08 Oct 1918 1330 29 S.E.5a (E4084) Fokker D.VII (DES) SE of Roulers
18 08 Oct 1918 1425 29 S.E.5a (E4084) Fokker D.VII (DES) N of Roulers
19 14 Oct 1918 0835 29 S.E.5a (E4084) Fokker D.VII (DES) Roulers
20 14 Oct 1918 0850 29 S.E.5a (E4084) Fokker D.VII (CAP) W of Roulers
1 Shared with Lt LC Tims (D5963)
2 Shared with Lt Cristoffel Venter
3 Shared with Lt DM Layton (E5543), Lt DM Murray (C1141)
4 Shared with Lt Thomas Harrison
 
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