Captain Norman Cyril Jones (8 February 1895 – 23 March 1974) was an English flying ace during World War I. He was credited with nine aerial victories.[1]
Norman Cyril Jones | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 February 1895 Cheshire, England |
| Died | 23 March 1974 (aged 79) Cockermouth, Cumbria, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1914–1921 1941–1945 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 2nd East Lancashire Brigade RFA No. 71 Squadron RFC No. 28 Squadron RFC No. 45 Squadron RAF |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
| Other work | Interrupted his business career to return to service during World War II |
Early life
editNorman Cyril Jones was born in Cheshire, England.[2] His birth date is unknown; however, he would have to have been born prior to 1897 to be old enough to be commissioned into the military at the start of World War I in 1914.
World War I
editJones was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 2nd East Lancashire Brigade on 14 September 1914.[3] He was promoted to lieutenant in the Royal Horse and Field Artillery on 1 June 1916.[4]
On 8 June 1917, second lieutenant Jones was appointed a flying officer in the Royal Flying Corps; this appointment customarily marked graduation from pilot's training.[5] From 21 June to 19 August 1917 he was posted to No. 71 Squadron while it was in Warwickshire.[6] In late 1917, he was assigned to No. 28 Squadron in Italy. He scored his first aerial victory while with them, on 25 January 1918.[2]
On 30 January 1918 Jones was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain.[7] He subsequently transferred in theatre, to No. 45 Squadron, where he resumed his winning ways on 19 May 1918. He would run his score to nine by 21 August 1918.[2]
He earned a Distinguished Flying Cross for his courageous service. It was gazetted on 21 September 1918:
"A gallant and skilful patrol leader who has proved successful on many occasions against numerically superior enemy formations. Capt. Jones has personally destroyed six enemy machines this year."[8]
Needless to say, the award citation was based on incomplete information, as Jones' victory list shows.
List of aerial victories
edit| No. | Date/time | Aircraft | Foe | Result | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 January 1918 @ 1045 hours |
Sopwith Camel serial number B6344 |
Aviatik reconnaissance aircraft | Destroyed | Sernaglia–San Pietro | |
| 2 | 19 May 1918 @ 0625 hours |
Sopwith Camel s/n B6372 |
Reconnaissance aircraft | Set afire; destroyed | Mel, Veneto | Shared with 2nd Lt. Charles Gray Catto |
| 3 | 20 May 1918 @ 1040 hours |
Sopwith Camel s/n B6372 |
Albatros D.III | Destroyed | Northeast of Asiago | |
| 4 | 1 June 1918 @ 0945 hours |
Sopwith Camel s/n B6372 |
Albatros D.V | Set afire; destroyed | Feltre | |
| 5 | 7 June 1918 @ 1740 hours |
Sopwith Camel s/n B6372 |
DFW reconnaissance aircraft | Destroyed | Arsiero | |
| 6 | 28 June 1918 @ 0835 hours |
Sopwith Camel s/n D8169 |
Albatros D.III | Destroyed | A mile west of Pedavena | |
| 7 | 29 July 1918 @ approx. 0900 hours |
Sopwith Camel s/n D8169 |
Albatros D.III | Destroyed | Brugnera | |
| 8 | 21 August 1918 @ 0815 hours |
Sopwith Camel s/n D8234 |
Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Ghiarona | |
| 9 | Albatros D.V | Driven down out of control |
Between the World Wars
editOn 23 January 1919, Jones was placed on the RAF's unemployed list.[9] His assignment to the RAF was ended and he was returned to the Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery of the Territorial Force.[10] He gave up his commission on 30 September 1921.[11]
As Jones left the military, he moved into the business world. He was involved in the reorganization of the family business in March 1920, which established John Jones as chairman.[12]
World War II and beyond
editHe rejoined the RAF for World War II; on 23 February 1941 he was commissioned as an acting probationary pilot officer for "the duration of hostilities...."[13]
References
edit- ^ a b "Norman Cyril Jones". The Aerodrome. 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
- ^ a b c d Shores et.al. (1990), p. 217.
- ^ "No. 28920". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 September 1914. p. 7782.
- ^ "No. 30200". The London Gazette (Supplement). 24 July 1917. p. 7568.
- ^ "No. 30214". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 August 1917. p. 7892.
- ^ "RFC and RAF men in Warwickshire". Midland Aircraft Recovery Group. 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
- ^ "No. 30541". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 February 1918. p. 2442.
- ^ "No. 30913". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 September 1918. p. 11252.
- ^ "No. 31187". The London Gazette. 18 February 1919. p. 2432.
- ^ "No. 31355". The London Gazette. 24 May 1919. p. 6460.
- ^ "No. 32548". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 December 1921. p. 10204.
- ^ "No. 31857". The London Gazette. 9 April 1920. p. 4278.
- ^ "No. 35196". The London Gazette. 20 June 1941. p. 3529.
Bibliography
edit- 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.