Captain Walter Alfred Southey DFC* (29 April 1897 – 17 April 1920) was a British First World War flying ace, credited with twenty aerial victories, including five balloons,[1] making him the second highest scoring ace in No. 84 Squadron, behind Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor.[2]
Walter Alfred Southey | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Peter |
Born | Bermondsey, London, England | 29 April 1897
Died | 17 April 1920 Lewisham, London, England | (aged 22)
Buried | Plot 103J, Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries |
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | British Army Royal Air Force |
Years of service | c. 1915–1919 |
Rank | Captain |
Unit | Royal Fusiliers No. 48 Squadron RFC No. 84 Squadron RFC/RAF |
Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front |
Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar |
Born in Bermondsey, he was familiarly known as Peter Southey. His family later lived in Brockley and New Cross. His father, Walter, was a warehouseman in the lace trade; his mother's name was Emma Susan (née Stacey). It is understood that Walter may have been a pupil at Christ's Hospital – the Bluecoat school.[3][4]
Southey enlisted as a private in the 19th (Service) Battalion (2nd Public Schools), Royal Fusiliers (City of London) Regiment, with regimental number 6741.[5] On 26 June 1915 the 19th Battalion became part of the 98th Brigade in the 33rd Division,[6] and Southey was with them when they were sent to France in November 1915.[5] 19th Battalion were disbanded on 24 April 1916,[6] and Southey then joined the Royal Flying Corps. He was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant (on probation) on 5 August 1916,[7] and after completing his flight training was appointed a flying officer and confirmed in his rank on 12 February 1917.[8] Southey flew the Bristol F.2 two-seater fighter with No. 48 Squadron through early 1917, making no victory claims, and was wounded when shot down on 4 June.[3][9]
He was promoted to lieutenant on 5 February 1918,[10] before returning to action in March when he joined No. 84 Squadron to fly the S.E.5a single-seat fighter.[11] He was credited with twenty aerial victories between May and October 1918,[11] and was appointed a flight commander with the acting-rank of captain on 14 July 1918.[12]
Southey was awarded his first Distinguished Flying Cross on 2 November 1918. His citation read:
Southey's Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross was gazetted on 7 February 1919. His citation read:
After the end of the war Southey was discharged from RAF service,[11] being transferred to the RAF's unemployed list on 9 March 1919.[15] His tally of 20 victories was made up of five observation balloons destroyed, eight aircraft destroyed (two shared), and seven driven down out of control (one shared).[16]
No. | Date Time |
Aircraft (Serial No.) |
Opponent | Result | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 May 1918 @ 1450 |
S.E.5a (D5399) |
Albatros D.V | Out of control | East of Abancourt | |
2 | 16 May 1918 @ 1620 |
S.E.5a (D5399) |
Fokker Dr.I | Destroyed | North-north-west of Abancourt | |
3 | 5 June 1918 @ 1235 |
S.E.5a (D5399) |
Rumpler C | Destroyed | 200 yds west of Moreuil | Shared with Captain Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor. |
4 | 18 June 1918 @ 1055 |
S.E.5a (B8399) |
Fokker D.VII | Out of control | Abancourt | |
5 | 1 August 1918 @ 1005 |
S.E.5a (C1834) |
Fokker D.VII | Destroyed | Suzanne aerodrome | |
6 | 7 August 1918 @ 0955 |
S.E.5a (C1834) |
Rumpler C | Destroyed | East of Arvillers | |
7 | 10 August 1918 @ 1800 |
S.E.5a (C1834) |
Fokker D.VII | Out of control | Péronne–Brie | |
8 | 17 August 1918 @ 0900 |
S.E.5a (C1834) |
Fokker D.VII | Out of control | Estrées | |
9 | 25 August 1918 @ 0945 |
S.E.5a (C1834) |
LVG C | Out of control | North of Foucaucourt | Shared with Second Lieutenant Cecil Wilson. |
10 | 29 August 1918 @ 1445 |
S.E.5a (C1834) |
Fokker D.VII | Out of control | West of Athies | |
11 | 3 September 1918 @ 0615 |
S.E.5a (C1834) |
C | Destroyed in flames | South of Manancourt–Nurlu Road | Shared with Lieutenants A. E. Hill and E. R. W. Miller, & Second Lieutenants Cecil Wilson and Francis Ricardo Cristiani. |
12 | 3 September 1918 @ 0645 |
S.E.5a (C1834) |
Balloon | Destroyed | Fins | |
13 | 3 September 1918 @ 1530 |
S.E.5a (C1834) |
Balloon | Destroyed | North of Fins | |
14 | 14 September 1918 @ 1030 |
S.E.5a (E6008) |
Balloon | Destroyed | Gonnelieu | |
15 | 14 October 1918 @ 0700-0900 |
S.E.5a (E4071) |
Balloon | Destroyed | East of Mont-d'Origny | |
16 | 22 October 1918 @ 0915 |
S.E.5a (F5625) |
Balloon | Destroyed | Prisches | |
17 | 23 October 1918 @ 1115 |
S.E.5a (F5625) |
Fokker D.VII | Destroyed | South of Fontaine | |
18 | 27 October 1918 @ 0910 |
S.E.5a (E4071) |
Fokker D.VII | Out of control | Esquéhéries | |
19 | 28 October 1918 @ 0750 |
S.E.5a (E5963) |
LVG C | Destroyed | La Queue-de-Boué | |
20 | 30 October 1918 @ 0930 |
S.E.5a (H685) |
Fokker D.VII | Destroyed | Forêt de Nouvion |
Southey died on 17 April 1920 as a result of a skull fracture following a motorcycling accident, suffered while he was riding to work. He is buried at Ladywell Cemetery, near Brockley, London, England, in Plot 103J.[3]