Talk:James Coward (RAF officer)

	Biography portal This article is within the scope of WikiProject Biography, a collaborative effort to create, develop and organize Wikipedia's articles about people. All interested editors are invited to join the project and contribute to the discussion. For instructions on how to use this banner, please refer to the documentation.BiographyWikipedia:WikiProject BiographyTemplate:WikiProject Biographybiography articles
	This article is supported by the military biography work group.

Military history: Aviation / Biography / British / European / World War II / Cold War

This article is within the scope of the Military history WikiProject. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the project and see a list of open tasks. To use this banner, please see the full instructions.Military historyWikipedia:WikiProject Military historyTemplate:WikiProject Military historymilitary history articles

This article has been checked against the following criteria for B-class status:
Referencing and citation: criterion met Coverage and accuracy: criterion not met Structure: criterion met Grammar and style: criterion met Supporting materials: criterion not met

Associated task forces:
/
	Military aviation task force
	Military biography task force
	British military history task force
	European military history task force
	World War II task force
	Cold War task force (c. 1945 – c. 1989)

Contradiction in sources[edit]

This source says

On leaving hospital, he was posted to Mr Churchill’s staff for 18 months. In October 1942 he went back on flying duties.

That suggests that he joined Churchill's staff in either April or May 1941. Having been injured on 31 august 1940, that means he took 8 or 9 months to recover.

This one says

After five months recovering from his wounds, Coward joined Winston Churchill’s personal staff. ... In January 1942 Coward returned to flying.

That suggests he joined Churchill's staff in February 1941, serving only 11 months before returning to flying.

And finally this one says

After recovery, James was posted to Winston Churchill’s staff ... After promotion to squadron leader in late 1941, he was appointed flight commander at an operational training unit.

This neither states when, or for how long, Coward served on Churchill's staff. It does, however, state that it late 1941 when he recommences flying.

Therefore, did he joined Churchill's staff in January or April/May 1941? How long was he on Churchill's staff; 11 or 18 months? And did he recommence flying in late 1941, January or October 1942? Very confusing. Gaia Octavia Agrippa^Talk 17:17, 8 September 2012 (UTC)[reply]

There isn't quite as much contradiction as you suggest: "After promotion to squadron leader in late 1941, he was appointed flight commander at an operational training unit" and "In January 1942 Coward returned to flying" can both be true. It is perfectly plausible that there would be a few weeks between the promotion and his taking up his new duties. Phil Bridger (talk) 17:47, 8 September 2012 (UTC)[reply]

That is true. He was promoted to squadron leader (temp) on 1 December 1941. As two are similar, I'll disregard as the top one. It is possible that the top one is referring to his second training post after leaving Churchill's staff.Gaia Octavia Agrippa^Talk 18:23, 8 September 2012 (UTC)[reply]