Solomon Clifford Joseph

Solomon Clifford Joseph was born in Birmingham on 29 April 1893. ==World War I==

Joseph joined the RNAS in August 1917. He trained as a pilot, receiving Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No. 5475 on a Caudron biplane at the British Flying School at Vendôme, France, on 7 October, He was first assigned to No. 12 Squadron RNAS, but was transferred to No. 10 Squadron RNAS in February 1918 as a Sopwith Camel pilot. He scored his first aerial victory on 7 May 1918, and continued to string out a dozen wins stretching through 3 September 1918; he teamed up to share victories with such fellow aces as Alfred Williams Carter and Clement W. Payton in several cases. On 21 September, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Three days later, he was wounded in action. He recovered in time to round off his victory string with a final win on 30 October 1918. Three days later, he was granted a Bar to his DFC in lieu of a second award. ==Postwar career==

Joseph returned to Birmingham to pursue a career in the engineering sector. On 17 November 1925 the partnership between Joseph and two others in the Tyseley Munitions Works, operating as breakers down of service ammunition and fuses, was dissolved. In early 1939 Simpson bought the assets of the bankrupt New Imperial Motors motorcycle company, which become part of his Clifford Aero & Auto Ltd. group, and produced components for Lancaster and Spitfire aircraft during the war. Post war, under the name of Clifford Cultivators Ltd., he produced rotary cultivators from 1946 to 1959, as well as hand and power pumps, electric washing machines, and fork lift trucks, while his company Clifford Covering Ltd. manufactured steering wheels. Clifford Aero & Auto was wound up in 1976. ==Honours and awards==

;Distinguished Flying Cross :Lieutenant Solomon Clifford Joseph (Sea Patrol). ::"A gallant pilot who has accounted for eight enemy aircraft within the past four months. On many occasions the enemy were numerically superior to Lieutenant Joseph's patrol, but this did not prevent his attaining success." ;Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross :Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) Solomon Clifford Joseph, DFC, Sea Patrol. ::"A very gallant and skilful officer. Helped his formation under a large force of enemy aircraft with a view to inducing them to descend to attack him. In this ruse de guerre he was successful, and, in accordance with arrangements previously made, another formation of our machines then appeared on the scene, and a combined attack was made on the enemy, resulting in the destruction of four aeroplanes and three more being brought down completely out of control. Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross was conferred on this officer less than two months ago he has personally destroyed one enemy machine, brought down another out of control, and has helped to destroy a third. Captain Joseph was wounded on the occasion of the combined attack. ==References==