Alan John Lance Scott

Group Captain Alan John Lance Scott CB MC AFC (1884-16 January 1922) was an officer in the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force during World War I and the following years.^[1]

Scott was born in Christchurch, New Zealand on the 29 June 1884^[2] and was originally an officer in the British Army's Sussex Yeomanry, Scott later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. Scott never became a very good pilot; in fact, in training, he crashed and broke both legs. He continued training on canes, and had to be assisted into the cockpit. However, he was a pugnacious dogfighter whose solo missions sometimes got him into trouble. For instance, on 28 May 1917, he survived being Leutnant Karl Allmenröder's 21st victory.^[3]

In July 1917 Scott was awarded the Military Cross - Capt. (temp Maj.) Alan John Lance Scott Yeo., and R.F.C. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has on several occasions attacked and destroyed enemy aircraft and taken successful photographs under heavy fire. He has constantly shown the greatest courage in attacking numerous hostile machines single-handed, during which on two occasions his own machine was considerably damaged. His great coolness, dash, and resource have set an excellent example to his squadron.^[4]

Scott was a flight commander on No. 43 Squadron RFC until 10 March 1917 when he took up command of No. 60 Squadron RFC. He remained as No. 60 Squadron's commander until 11 July 1917, the day after he was wounded in action.^[5]

From some time in 1917 to 1918, Scott was the Commandant of the Central Flying School.^[6] Notably, Scott acted as Winston Churchill's flying instructor.^[7] In 1920, Scott's book "Sixty Squadron RAF: A history of the squadron from its formation" was published.^[8]

Scott died on the 16 January 1922 in London, England aged 38.^[2]

External links

Reference

• Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. Christopher F. Shores, Norman L. R. Franks, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1990. ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9.
• Nieuport Aces of World War 1. Norman Franks. Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 978-1-85532-961-4.