Robert McLaughlin (RAF officer)
Robert McLaughlin (born 23 July 1896, Belfast, Ireland; date of death unknown) was a British World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories. He joined the Royal Flying Corps in August 1917 as a temporary second lieutenant and was confirmed later that year. He served with No. 201 Squadron in France, flying a Sopwith Camel.
His first victory came on 9 May 1918, destroying an Albatros D.V over Bapaume. He scored again on 15 May in a victory shared with several fellow pilots. A third victory followed on 30 May when he drove another D.V down out of control over Achiet-le-Grand. On 8 August he was shot down in flames and, though slightly injured, flew again that afternoon. For his actions that day he received the Distinguished Flying Cross (gazetted 1 November 1918).
On 12 August he shared in the destruction of two Fokker D.VIIs over St. Christ. He was appointed flight commander with the temporary rank of captain on 27 August. His sixth and final victory occurred on 16 September, when he drove down another Fokker D.VII southeast of Cambrai. McLaughlin was transferred to the RAF unemployed list on 8 March 1919 and relinquished his commission on 14 March.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 16:22 (CET).