Group Captain William Victor Strugnell MC & Bar (23 July 1892 – 1977) was a British First World War flying ace credited with six aerial victories.[1] He went on to a long career in the Royal Air Force, and serving throughout the Second World War.
William Victor Strugnell | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Struggy |
Born | Southampton, England | 23 July 1892
Died | 1977 (aged 84–85) Dorset, England |
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | British Army Royal Air Force |
Years of service | c.1907–1945 |
Rank | Group captain |
Unit | |
Commands held | |
Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front World War II |
Awards | Military Cross & Bar |
Strugnell's father was a sergeant major. At the age of 15, Strugnell joined the Royal Engineers as a bugler. He then transferred to the Hampshire Regiment as a sapper, before being seconded to the Royal Flying Corps soon after its formation on 13 April 1912, serving as an Air Mechanic in No. 3 Squadron RFC from 13 May.[2] Strugnell trained as a pilot, and was granted Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificate No. 253 on 24 July 1912, after a soloing a Bristol biplane at the Army School on Salisbury Plain,[3] being the third non-commissioned officer in the British military to receive a pilot's license.[4] He later served in No. 5 Squadron RFC.[4]
On 27 June 1915 Strugnell, then a sergeant, was appointed a flying officer[5] and commissioned as a second lieutenant for service in the field.[6] He was posted to No. 1 Squadron RFC, and on 5 February 1916, piloted a Morane-Saulnier L that drove down an Aviatik C.I reconnaissance aircraft for his first victory.[1][7] Soon after, on 12 February 1916, he was appointed a flight commander with the acting rank of captain.[8]
Strugnell served as a flight commander in No. 43 Squadron RFC, from its formation at Stirling on 15 April 1916.[9] On 3 June 1916 he was awarded the Military Cross "for Distinguished Service in the Field".[10]
Strugnell spent some time on instruction duty before returning to action flying a Sopwith Pup in No. 54 Squadron RFC as flight commander of "A" Flight.[7] On 19 March 1917, he shared in the setting on fire of a German reconnaissance aircraft. On 14 April and 1 May, he sent another reconnaissance aircraft and an Albatros D.III down out of control. On 11 May 1917, he shared in the destruction of another reconnaissance aircraft, and soon after single-handedly destroyed an Albatros D.III.[1]
On 24 July 1917 his award of a Bar to his Military Cross was gazetted. His citation read:
On 1 September 1917 Strugnell was appointed a squadron commander with the acting rank of major.[12]
No. | Date/Time | Aircraft/ Serial No. |
Opponent | Result | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 1 Squadron RFC | ||||||
1 | 5 February 1916 @c. 1120 |
Morane-Saulnier L (5068) |
Aviatik C.I | Out of control | South-east of Armentières | |
No. 54 Squadron RFC | ||||||
2 | 19 March 1917 @ 0745 |
Sopwith Pup | Type C (reconnaissance aircraft) | Destroyed in flames | Roisel | Shared with Lieutenant E. J. Y. Grevelink |
3 | 14 April 1917 @ 0815 |
Sopwith Pup (A7306) |
Type C | Out of control | Buissy–Inchy | |
4 | 1 May 1917 @ 0710 |
Sopwith Pup (A7306) |
Albatros D.III | Out of control | East of St. Quentin | |
5 | 11 May 1917 @ 1840 |
Sopwith Pup (A6168) |
Type C | Destroyed | Walincourt | Shared with Major C. E. Sutcliffe, and Lieutenants Maurice Scott, Oliver Sutton, E. J. Y. Grevelink & M. B. Cole. |
6 | 11 May 1917 @ 1910 |
Sopwith Pup (A6168) |
Albatros D.III | Destroyed | Beaurevoir |
On 1 August 1919 Strugnell was granted a permanent commission in the RAF with the rank of major (squadron leader).[13] He was posted to No. 1 Flying Training School (Inland Area), before being briefly attached the School of Military Administration at Chiseldon from 23 September[14] to 1 November 1921, after which he was assigned to the RAF Depot (Inland Area) as a supernumerary officer.[15]
On 14 September 1922 he was posted to the RAF Aircraft Depot in Iraq,[16] transferring to the Engine Repair Depot, Egypt, on 18 October 1924,[17] before eventually returning to the UK when posted to the RAF Depot, Uxbridge, on his transfer to the Home Establishment on 9 May 1926.[18] From 1 September 1926 Strugnell served at the headquarters of No. 21 (Training) Group at RAF West Drayton.[19]
On 1 July 1928 he was promoted to wing commander,[20] and on 1 September was appointed Officer Commanding of No. 9 Squadron, based at RAF Manston,[21] forming part of No. 51 (Night Bomber) Wing. In August 1930 the Vickers Virginia bombers of No. 51 Wing formed part of the "Blue" forces in the annual RAF Exercises.[22] On 10 January 1931 Strugnell was posted to the Home Aircraft Depot at RAF Henlow for administrative duties.[23]
He was promoted to group captain on 3 July 1934,[24] returning to the Middle East to serve as commander of No. 1 Armoured Car Company at RAF Hinaidi, Iraq, until 19 February 1935.[25] He then commanded the Reception Depot at West Drayton from 3 April 1935,[26] and was station commander of RAF Manston from 10 August 1935.[27]
Strugnell served throughout the Second World War. He was a station commander in Algeria in 1943,[28] and received a mention in despatches on 8 June 1944.[29] He retired from the RAF on 7 June 1945,[30] only a month after the end of the war on Europe.
On 12 February 1951, he was commissioned as a flight lieutenant (Class J) in the Royal Air Force Reserve of Officers,[31] relinquishing his commission exactly eight years later on 12 February 1959.[32]