Summary
Lieutenant John Herbert Greenwood Womersley MC (1 April 1896 – 23 January 1962) was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.[1]
John Herbert Greenwood Womersley | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 April 1896 Halifax, Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 23 January 1962 (aged 65) Hastings, Sussex, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1915–1919 1940–1945 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | Royal Garrison Artillery No. 43 Squadron RFC Pioneer Corps |
| Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front World War II |
| Awards | Military Cross |
World War I edit
Womersley trained as a cadet in the Leeds University Officers' Training Corps, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the East Riding Fortress Company, Royal Garrison Artillery (Territorial Force)[note 1] on 27 October 1915.[3] On 7 July 1916 he was one of a number of junior officers seconded for duty with the Regular Royal Garrison Artillery.[4]
Womersley later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, being appointed a flying officer on 1 April 1917,[5] and was assigned to No. 43 Squadron to fly the Sopwith 1½ Strutter two-seater fighter. On 16 June, he was part of a multi-aircraft assault on an Albatros D.III; he shared credit for the victory with his observer Air Mechanic 2nd Class J. M. O'Shea and ten squadron-mates.[1][6] On 1 July 1917 he was promoted to lieutenant.[7] Womersley gained a second victory on 23 July, driving down an Albatros D.V with his observer Second Lieutenant Cyril Agelasto. His squadron was then re-equipped with the single-seater Sopwith Camel; in which he gained two more victories on 24 October. His fifth and final victory came on 12 November 1917. That same day, he crashed during a practice flight and was severely injured.[1][6][8]
He was awarded the Military Cross on 18 January 1918.[9] His citation read:
- Lieutenant John Herbert Greenwood Womersley, Royal Garrison Artillery and Royal Flying Corps.
- "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in aerial fighting. He brought down four enemy machines and forced others to land. He also carried out reconnaissances at a low altitude."[10]
Womersley was transferred to the RAF unemployed list on 16 April 1919.[11]
List of aerial victories edit
| No. | Date/Time | Aircraft/ Serial No. |
Opponent | Result | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 July 1917 @ 0830 |
Sopwith 1½ Strutter (A8244) |
Albatros D.III | Destroyed | North of Lens | Observer: AM2 J. M. O'Shea. Shared with other members of No. 43 Squadron. |
| 2 | 23 July 1917 @ 1745 |
Sopwith 1½ Strutter (A8247) |
Albatros D.V | Out of control | North-east of Lens | Observer: Second Lieutenant Cyril Agelasto. |
| 3 | 24 October 1917 @ 0800 |
Sopwith Camel (B6365) |
DFW C | Destroyed | North of Loison-sous-Lens | |
| 4 | 24 October 1917 @ 1100 |
Sopwith Camel (B6365) |
DFW C | Out of control | Haubourdin | |
| 5 | 12 November 1917 @ 1215 |
Sopwith Camel (B2437) |
Albatros D.V | Out of control | East of Annay |
Inter-war career edit
Womersley returned to the East Riding Fortress Company, Royal Garrison Artillery, on 18 November 1920,[12] transferring to the Territorial Army Reserve on 24 June 1922.[13]
World War II edit
Womersley returned to military service on 21 February 1940 when he was transferred from the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers to the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps.[14] He served with the British Expeditionary Force up until the battle of France, receiving a mention in despatches "in recognition of distinguished services in connection with operations in the field March–June 1940" in December 1940.[15] Womersley served in the Pioneer Corps throughout the war, but his career ended in disgrace when he was cashiered by sentence of a Field General Court Martial on 29 May 1945.[16]
Notes edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d "John Herbert Greenwood Womersley". The Aerodrome. 2016.
- ^ Baker, Chris (2016). "The Fortress Companies of the Royal Engineers". The Long, Long Trail.
- ^ "No. 29340". The London Gazette. 26 October 1915. p. 10520.
- ^ "No. 29769". The London Gazette. 29 September 1916. p. 9486.
- ^ "No. 30034". The London Gazette (Supplement). 24 April 1917. p. 3902.
- ^ a b Shores, Franks & Guest (1990), p. 388.
- ^ "No. 30359". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 October 1917. p. 11263.
- ^ "The Roll of Honour: Wounded". Flight. IX (466): 1250. 29 November 1917.
- ^ "No. 30482". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 January 1918. p. 959.
- ^ "No. 30651". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 April 1918. p. 5019.
- ^ "No. 31467". The London Gazette. 22 July 1919. p. 9254.
- ^ "No. 32136". The London Gazette. 23 November 1920. p. 11583.
- ^ "No. 32722". The London Gazette. 23 June 1922. p. 4727.
- ^ "No. 34846". The London Gazette (Supplement). 7 May 1940. p. 2798.
- ^ "No. 35020". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 December 1940. p. 7196.
- ^ "No. 37167". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 July 1945. p. 3544.
- Bibliography
- Shores, Christopher F.; Franks, Norman & Guest, Russell F. (1990). Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920. London, UK: Grub Street. ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9.