Edward Gribben was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories. He became a lieutenant-colonel in the Territorial Army between the wars, returning to the RAF in World War II, and rising to the rank of squadron leader.
Edward Gribben | |
---|---|
Born | County Down, Ireland | 10 September 1890
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | British Army Royal Air Force |
Years of service | 1914–1920 1930–1938 1939–1945 |
Rank | Lieutenant-Colonel (Army) Squadron Leader (RAF) |
Unit | Royal Irish Rifles No. 70 Squadron RFC No. 44 Squadron RFC No. 41 Squadron RAF |
Commands held | 18th Battalion, London Regiment (London Irish Rifles) |
Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
Awards | Military Cross |
Gribben was born in County Down, Ireland, and in the 1911 Census was recorded as resident at Dunnanew, Rossconor, unmarried, aged 23, and working as a draper's assistant in Castlewellan. He was living with his mother Alice Gribben, father Thomas, and six siblings.[1]
Gribben joined the army soon after the outbreak of World War I, being commissioned as a second lieutenant (on probation) in the 5th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles on 15 August 1914.[2][3] He was promoted to lieutenant on 22 May 1915,[4] and was later seconded to the Royal Flying Corps to train as a pilot, being appointed a flying officer on 24 December 1916.[5]
Gribben was posted to No. 70 Squadron in early 1917. He flew a Sopwith Camel to score five victories between 17 July and 13 August, his final tally being two enemy aircraft destroyed, and three driven down out of control. On 9 September, he returned to England to serve with No. 44 Squadron as a night fighter pilot flying a Camel.[6] On 26 September he was awarded the Military Cross,[7] which was gazetted on 8 January 1918. His citation read:
On 1 January 1918 he was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain.[9] Gribben then served as a test pilot at the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough. He returned to combat on 2 October 1918 as a flight commander in No. 41 Squadron. Two days later, he and his Camel were badly shot up by a Fokker D.VII; although wounded in the arm, Gribben crash-landed safely.[6]
Gribben left the RAF on 24 January 1920, being transferred to the unemployed list.[10] He relinquished his army commission in what was now the Royal Ulster Rifles on 1 April 1920.[11] On 4 May 1920 he was granted a short service commission in the RAF with the rank of flight lieutenant,[12] but this was cancelled on 10 August 1920.[13]
Gribben return to the military when appointed a captain in the 18th Battalion, London Regiment (London Irish Rifles), a Territorial Army unit, on 15 March 1930.[14] On 1 November 1934 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.[15] On 1 November 1938 Gribben retired from the London Irish, giving up his command.[16][17]
Just prior to the outbreak of World War II Gribben joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, being commissioned as a flight lieutenant on 1 September 1939.[18] He was promoted to squadron leader on 16 December 1941.[19] He remained a member of the Air Force Reserves post-war, finally relinquishing his commission on 10 February 1954, at the age of 65.[20]