William Sidebottom (RAF officer)
British flying ace (1893–1920)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lieutenant William Sidebottom DFC (11 October 1893 – 8 December 1920) was a British World War I flying ace credited with fourteen aerial victories.[1][2]
William Sidebottom | |
|---|---|
| Born | 11 October 1893 Manchester, England |
| Died | 8 December 1920 (aged 27) near Rostamabad, Persia |
Burial place | Tehran Memorial, Iran |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Branch | Royal Navy Royal Air Force |
Service years | 1917–1920 |
Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | No. 3 (Naval) Squadron RNAS No. 203 Squadron RAF No. 30 Squadron RAF |
Conflicts | World War I • Western Front |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
Military service
Sidebottom joined the Royal Naval Air Service on 11 October 1917,[2] and after completing his flying training was posted the No. 3 (Naval) Squadron to fly the Sopwith Camel single-seat fighter. On 1 April 1918, the RNAS was merged with the Army's Royal Flying Corps to form the Royal Air Force, and Sidebottom's unit was renamed No. 203 Squadron RAF.[2]
He scored his first win on 16 June 1918, sharing the destruction of a DFW two-seater reconnaissance aircraft with Lieutenant Edwin Hayne and three other pilots. He then accumulated a series of victories between then and 29 October 1918, sharing in the destruction of two reconnaissance aircraft with Captain Leonard Rochford and the mid-air burning of another with Captain Arthur Whealy. Sidebottom's final toll was the destruction of fourteen enemy aircraft.[1][2]
Post-war career and death
Sidebottom was transferred to the RAF's unemployed list on 1 February 1919,[3] and a week later, on 7 February, his Distinguished Flying Cross was gazetted. His citation read:
- Lieutenant William Sidebottom, 203rd Squadron.
- "This officer has carried out numerous offensive and low bombing patrols with courage, skill and judgment. He has also proved himself a bold and resolute fighter in aerial combats, having nine enemy machines to his credit."[4]
However, Sidebottom returned to RAF service on being granted a short service commission with the rank of flying officer on 24 October 1919.[5] On 8 December 1920 Sidebottom was serving in No. 30 Squadron, part of the North Persia Force. While flying an Airco DH.9A on a bombing mission on Enzeli, then part of the Persian Socialist Soviet Republic, he made a forced landing 15 miles (24 km) from Rostamabad, and was shot and killed by Bolsheviks while trying to escape. His observer escaped unhurt.[6][7] Having no known grave he is commemorated on the Tehran Memorial, Gholhak Garden, Iran.[8]