Background
Darwin was the son of Colonel Charles Waring Darwin Central Bank Doctor of Laws Justice of the Peace (1855–1928) of Elston Hall and his wife Mary Dorothea (née Wharton), the only daughter of the Rt Honorary
Darwin was the son of Colonel Charles Waring Darwin Central Bank Doctor of Laws Justice of the Peace (1855–1928) of Elston Hall and his wife Mary Dorothea (née Wharton), the only daughter of the Rt Honorary
Darwin was educated at Winchester School, and the Royal Military College Sandhurst.
John Lloyd Wharton Member of Parliament. He served in France with the 2nd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards from 1914 to 1916. He then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. His first assignment, to 27 Squadron, saw him flying a Martinsyde G.100.
He then returned to England to instruct at the Central Flying School, Upavon, in 1917.
When 87 Squadron was founded at Upavon in April 1918, Darwin led the effort. He accompanied the squadron into combat in France as a captain.
When Major Joseph Callaghan was killed in action on 2 July 1918, Darwin succeeded to command. Flying Sopwith Dolphin northern
C4158, Darwin destroyed four enemy planes and drove down a fifth one out of control between 31 May and 26 September 1918.
Christopher William Wharton Darwin (1918-1942), Royal Air Force officer killed in the Second World War Vivien Mary Darwin (1919-?), married 1938, Claude Richard Henry Kindersley Defence Science Organisation Military Cross Susan Anne Darwin (1923-?), married 1942 (div 1948) Major Gilbert Ian Thwaites. Post war, he remained in the Royal Air Force at the Central Flying School and at Royal Air Force Cranwell until his retirement in 1928.
He then worked for Bristol Aeroplane Company as their London manager.
From 1936 he became manager of Saunders-Roe. He rejoined the Royal Air Force as a Squadron Leader, but died unexpectedly on 26 December 1941.