William Frederick James Harvey
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William Frederick James Harvey | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Jim |
| Born | 8 January 1897 Portslade, Sussex, England |
| Died | 21 July 1972 (aged 75) Wingham, Kent, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Flying Corps Royal Air Force Royal Artillery |
| Years of service | 1914–1919 1939–1952 |
| Rank | Major |
| Battles / wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar Military Cross Member of the Order of the British Empire |
William Frederick James Harvey DFC & Bar MC MBE (8 January 1897 – 21 July 1972) was a British flying ace in World War I credited with twenty-six victories. He was the first recipient of the DFC & Bar and was also awarded the MC.[1]
Harvey served with the Signal Company of the Royal Engineers until he transferred to the RFC in December 1916. In December 1917 he was posted as a pilot to No. 22 Squadron flying Bristol F.2B[2] fighters. His first air victory, a downed Pfalz D.III, was recorded 16 March 1918, followed by an Albatros D.V two days later.[3]
With three more kills in March Harvey established himself as a flying ace.[4] In May 1918 he was promoted to captain and commanded 'B' Flight.[4] In the last decade of May Harvey, flying with Lt. George Thomson as his flight observer, downed two observation balloons and four German airplanes; on 20 June he downed three enemy airplanes.[4] Shortly after this success Thomson was replaced with Captain Dennis Waight, who remained Harvey's teammate until the end of campaign. The crew scored 9 kills during the Battle of Amiens in August 1918.[4]
Of his twenty-six victories (comprising 3 balloons, 12 and 2 shared destroyed, and 9 'out of control') credited to Harvey, eighteen were achieved utilising his front gun.[1][4]
Later military service
After the war, Harvey served as an instructor with 33 TD Squadron of the Army of the Rhine. On leaving the RAF he became a farmer. During the Second World War he was awarded the MBE for his service. When the war ended he retired to Kent, writing many aviation-related articles and the history of his old RAF Squadron, No. 22, entitled 'Pi in the Sky'.[1][5]
Harvey married Mary Gurdon, sister of his squadron mate John Everard Gurdon, in 1920.[2]
