John Herbert Greenwood Womersley | |
---|---|
Born | Halifax, Yorkshire, England | 1 April 1896
Died | 23 January 1962 Hastings, Sussex, England | (aged 65)
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 |
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]
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:
Womersley was transferred to the RAF unemployed list on 16 April 1919. [11]
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 |
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]
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]