William Edward Green

William Edward Green
Nickname(s) "Bill"
Born (1898-10-20)20 October 1898
Ipswich, Suffolk, England
Died 23 May 1940(1940-05-23) (aged 41)
Flanders, Belgium
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch Royal Air Force
British Army
Rank Lieutenant Colonel
Unit No. 57 Squadron RAF, Northamptonshire Regiment
Awards Distinguished Flying Cross
Relations Cicely Clare Berry (spouse)

Lieutenant Colonel William Edward Green DFC TD (20 October 1898–23 May 1940) began his military career as a World War I flying ace. He was credited with nine aerial victories while flying the Airco DH.4, making him one of the few World War I aces who were bomber pilots.

After World War I, he transferred from the Royal Air Force to the Territorial Army, serving until his death in action on 23 May 1940.

Early life

William Edward Green was born in Ipswich, Suffolk, England on 20 October 1898 the son of Henry Douglas and Caroline Green. He joined the Royal Flying Corps in June 1917.[1]

World War I

"Bill" Green was commissioned a second lieutenant in August 1917. He completed training and was posted to 57 Squadron on 29 September 1917. He scored his first aerial victory on 6 January 1918. On 2 July 1918, he was promoted to temporary captain (customarily accompanied by appointment as Flight Commander). On 29 August 1918, he scored his eighth win, only to be seriously shot about by a Fokker biplane; however, both he and his observer escaped unscathed. He scored his final win on 19 September 1918, having scored his nine victories incidental to his duties as an Airco DH.4 pilot. His Distinguished Flying Cross was gazetted after the armistice ended World War I, on 3 December 1918.[2] The citation makes no mention of his acedom.

"A skilful, courageous pilot and a brilliant leader, conspicuous for his sound judgment. No difficulties daunt him, and he has never failed to carry out any task that he may have been set. He sets a splendid example to the whole squadron."[3]

List of aerial victories

No. Date/time Aircraft Foe Result Location Notes
1 6 January 1918 @ 1200 hours Airco DH.4 serial number A7904 Albatros D.V Driven down out of control Lichtervelde Observer/gunner: 2 Lt E H Wilson
2 24 January 1918 @ 1130 hours Airco DH.4 s/n A2161 Fokker Triplane Set afire; destroyed Northwest of Roulers Observer/gunner: 2 Lt H S Gros
3 24 January 1918 @ 1130 hours Airco DH.4 s/n A2161 Albatros D.V Driven down out of control Northwest of Roulers Observer/gunner: 2 Lt H S Gros
4 3 February 1918 @ 1245 hours Airco DH.4 s/n A7674 Albatros D.V Driven down out of control Menen Observer/gunner: 2 Lt H S Gros
5 31 March 1918 @ 1115 hours Airco DH.4 s/n A7904 Pfalz D.III Driven down out of control Bapaume Observer/gunner: 2 Lt H S Gros
6 10 August 1918 @ 1830 hours Airco DH.4 s/n D9262 Fokker D.VII Driven down out of control Between Bray and Péronne Observer/gunner: 2 Lt C G Smith
7 10 August 1918 @ 1830 hours Airco DH.4 s/n D9262 Fokker D.VII Driven down out of control Bray-Péronne Observer/gunner: 2 Lt G C Smith
8 29 August 1918 @ 0800 hours Airco DH.4 s/n 9262 Fokker D.VII Driven down out of control Ytres Observer/gunner: Lt A M Barron MC
9 19 September 1918 @ 1725 hours Airco DH.4 s/n D8419 Fokker D.VII Driven down out of control Havrincourt Observer/gunner: Lt A M Barron MC[4]

Post World War I

On 3 February 1920 Green went on the unemployed list and surrendered his commission in the Royal Air Force upon appointment into the British Territorial Force.[5][6]

On 9 April 1921, he was promoted temporary captain in 5th (Huntingdonshire) Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment.[7] However, shortly thereafter, on 17 July 1921, he relinquished his commission, retaining rank as captain.[8] He obviously returned to duty, as on 10 November 1928 he was promoted to major.[9]

On 10 November 1934, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.[10]

On 24 June 1938 Green was still a lieutenant colonel in the 5th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment.[11] On 10 November 1938 he was promoted to colonel of battalion.[12]

Green died on 23 May 1940 in the days before the evacuation from Dunkirk, his battalion was withdrawing across Flanders in a fighting retreat following the German advances in the Low Countries. He is buried at White House Cemetery near Ypres in Belgium. His uniform, medals and sword are held by the Norris Museum in St. Ives.[13]

References

Endnotes

  1. ↑ Franks, et al, p. 66.
  2. ↑ Franks, et al, p. 66.
  3. ↑ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 3 December 1918, p. 14321.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31046/supplements/14321 Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  4. ↑ List compiled from Franks, et al, p. 66, and from http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/green5.php Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  5. ↑ (The London Gazette, 17 September 1920, p. 9300.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/32054/pages/9300 Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  6. ↑ (The London Gazette, 3 February 1920, p. 1427.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31765/pages/1427 Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  7. ↑ (Supplement to The London Gazette, 25 April 1921, p. 326.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/32302/supplements/3263 Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  8. ↑ (Supplement to The London Gazette, 20 September 1921, p. 7431.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/32462/supplements/7431 Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  9. ↑ (The London Gazette, 12 March 1929, p. 1751.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/33476/pages/1751 Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  10. ↑ (The London Gazette, 20 November 1934, p. 7441.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/34106/pages/7441 Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  11. ↑ (The London Gazette, 24 June 1938, p. 4079.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/34525/pages/4079 Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  12. ↑ (The London Gazette, 23 December 1938, p. 8182.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/34582/pages/8182 Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  13. ↑ Norris Museum
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