Edric Broadberry
British flying ace
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Group Captain Edric William Broadberry MC (14 December 1894 – 26 December 1967) was a British pilot. He began his military career during World War I. During that conflict, he would become a flying ace credited with eight confirmed aerial victories. He remained in service throughout World War II, and served his nation for 33 years, not retiring until 1947.
Edric William Broadberry | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 December 1894 |
| Died | 26 December 1967 (aged 73) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Service years | 1914–1947 |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Unit | Essex Regiment Royal Flying Corps |
| Commands | No. 56 Squadron RFC |
| Conflicts | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Military Cross |
| Other work | Technical Branch of Royal Air Force |
Early life
World War I
Broadberry's initial military service was with the Essex Regiment in the Gallipoli campaign.[1] He had been raised to a temporary captaincy on 27 May 1914; on 16 March 1916, he surrendered his temporary captaincy upon leaving his posting within the regiment.[3] On 30 May 1916, he was promoted to captain.[4] He learned to fly at Aboukir, Egypt.[1]
On 8 November 1916, Broadberry was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps[5] as a Flying Officer.[6] He returned to England, and was posted to combat duty in France with 56 Squadron on 20 April 1917 as a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a pilot. He scored his first aerial victory on 12 May 1917; he ran his tally to eight by 11 July. The following day, he was removed from action by being hit in the leg while being shot down.[1]
As a reward for his exploits, he was awarded the Military Cross on 1 January 1918.[7]
List of aerial victories
Confirmed victories are numbered and listed chronologically. Unconfirmed victories are denoted by "u/c".
| No. | Date/time | Aircraft | Foe | Result | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 May 1917 @ 0845 hours | Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a serial number A8903 | Albatros D.III | Destroyed | East of Lens | Victory shared with Gerald J. C. Maxwell |
| 2 | 20 May 1917 @ 1410 hours | Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a s/n A8903 | Albatros D.III | Driven down out of control | Guesnain, France | |
| 3 | 23 May 1917 between 1900 and 1015 hours | Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a s/n A8903 | Albatros D.III | Driven down out of control | Aubigny, France | Victory shared with Philip B. Prothero |
| 4 | 26 May 1917 @ 1930 hours | Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a s/n A8903 | German two-seater | Driven down out of control | Gouy-sous-Bellonne, France | |
| 5 | 27 May 1917 between 1900 and 2000 hours | Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a s/n A8903 | Albatros D.III | Driven down out of control | East of Bugnicourt | |
| 6 | 7 June 1917 between 0850 and 0940 hours | Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a s/n A8918 | German two-seater | Destroyed | Poelcappelle, France | |
| 7 | 7 June 1917 between 0850 and 0940 hours | Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a s/n A8918 | German two-seater | Driven down out of control | Ledegem, Belgium | |
| 8 | 11 July 1917 @ 1930 hours | Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a s/n A8918 | German two-seater | Driven down out of control | Houthulst Wood, Belgium | |
| u/c | 11 July 1917[1] | |||||
Post World War I
Broadberry remained in the newly formed Royal Air Force after the First World War and made a career of it. On 1 August 1919, he granted a permanent commission in the reorganized Royal Air Force as a flying officer.[8]
Quite some years of his career passed unnoticed; however, in 1936, he was a squadron leader at the Air Observers School at North Coates.[1] On 1 April 1937, he was promoted from squadron leader to wing commander.[9]
On 24 April 1940, in the early stages of World War II, Wing Commander Broadberry transferred duty to the Technical Branch of the RAF.[10] On 1 December 1941, he was promoted to temporary group captain.[11] His temporary appointment as group captain did not cease until well after war's end, on 1 November 1947.[12] On 21 December 1947, Broadberry retired, keeping the rank of group captain in his retirement.[13]
Broadberry died early on 26 December 1967.[1]