William James Middleton
| William James Middleton | |
|---|---|
| Born |
1897 Horton Kirby, Kent, England |
| Died | 4 October 1918 (aged 20–21) |
| Buried at | Bronfay Farm Military Cemetery, Bray-sur-Somme (49°58′03″N 2°44′35″E / 49.96750°N 2.74306°ECoordinates: 49°58′03″N 2°44′35″E / 49.96750°N 2.74306°E) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
Royal Naval Air Service Royal Air Force |
| Rank | Sergeant-Observer |
| Unit | No. 5 (Naval) Squadron/No. 205 Squadron RAF |
| Awards |
Distinguished Flying Medal Médaille d'Honneur (France) |
Sergeant-Observer William James Middleton DFM was a British World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.[1]
Military service
Middleton initially served in the Royal Naval Air Service, as a member of No. 5 (Naval) Squadron, flying the Airco DH.4 two-seater day bomber. He gained his first aerial victory on 9 March 1918, driving down an Albatros D.V out of control over Mont-d'Origny, while being piloted by Lieutenant G. E. Siedle. Soon after, on 1 April, the Royal Naval Air Service and the Army's Royal Flying Corps were merged to form the Royal Air Force, and Middleton's unit became No. 205 Squadron RAF.[1]
Middleton gained his next victory on 23 April, driving down a Fokker Dr.I over Chaulnes. On 3 May he took part in the driving down and the shooting down in flames of two Pfalz D.IIIs between Chaulnes and Rosières, shared with nine other aircraft of his squadron, including Captain Euan Dickson and his gunner Charles Robinson, and pilots Captain John Gamon and Lieutenants William Elliott and William Grossart. On 10 August, with Captain J. M. Mason as his pilot, he destroyed another Pfalz D.III over Brie Bridge, and on 4 September, with Lieutenant D. J. T. Mellor, he gained his sixth and final victory by driving down a Fokker D.VII over Roisel.[1]
Middleton was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, which was gazetted on 20 September 1918. His citation read:
- No. F.16604 Aircraftman 1st Class (Gunlayer) William James Middleton.
- "He has taken part in 67 raids and has shown conspicuous gallantry and skill in bombing enemy lines of communication, dumps and aerodromes. On one occasion he obtained six direct hits, despite intense anti-aircraft fire."[2]
He was also awarded the Médaille d'Honneur avec Glaives, en Argent ("Medal of Honour with Swords, in Silver") by the French government, which was gazetted posthumously on 22 August 1919.[3]
Middleton died from wounds received in action on 4 October 1918,[1] and is buried at the Bronfay Farm Military Cemetery, Bray-sur-Somme, Picardy.[4]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "William James Middleton". The Aerodrome. 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30913. p. 11258. 20 September 1918.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 31519. p. 10724. 22 August 1919.
- ↑ "Casualty Details: Middleton, William James". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2015.