| James Joseph Wellwood | |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 October 1892 Drouin, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 25 October 1984 Armadale, Victoria, Australia |
| Springvale Crematorium | Victoria, Australia |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service/branch | Artillery; aviation |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | No. 2 Squadron AFC |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
Lieutenant James Joseph Wellwood was an Australian World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories. After the war, he went on to a long career as an agriculturalist and husbandman at his Australian home.
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James Joseph Wellwood was the son of Elizabeth Anne Payne and James Wellwood. He was born in Drouin, Australia on 15 October 1892,[1] one of five brothers.[2] Wellwood's mother died when he was ten.[3]
Wellwood originally served in an Australian militia unit, the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery before he enlisted in the Siege Brigade of the Australian Imperial Force on 1 June 1915. On his enlistment papers, he stated he was a born British subject working as a "motor mechanic".[4]
He later transferred to the Australian Flying Corps, and trained as a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5 pilot. By mid 1918, he had been assigned to 2 Squadron AFC. He scored his first aerial success on 1 August 1918, destroying a German two-seated Rumpler reconnaissance plane southeast of Lille. On 12 August, he destroyed a Fokker D.VII over Licourt. Wellwood teamed with squadronmate Adrian Cole to destroy a DFW recon machine over Epinoy on 25 August.[5]
In September 1918, Wellwood struck twice, driving a Fokker D.VII down out of control on the 6th, and setting a Pfalz D.III afire on the 24th. Wellwood's final two victories were achieved on 4 November 1918; in separate patrols, he destroyed a Fokker D.VII and drove down another out of control.[6]
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his exploits,[7] which was personally presented by General Sir William Birdwood on 20 March 1919.[8]
Wellwood married Myra Cantor on 28 June 1924 at Trinity Church, Hampton, Victoria, Australia.[9]
Wellwood was active in horse racing as early as 1929,[10] and became secretary of the Bunyip Race Club in early 1933.[11] He was selected as secretary of the Drouin branch of the United Country Party in early 1937.[12] He was a member of a stock cooperative marketing merino sheep from 1937 to 1941.[13][14][15]
On 8 November 1945, Wellwood posted notice that he would not allow debts to be contracted in his name without his written authority.[16]
James Joseph Wellwood died on 25 April 1984 in Armadale, Victoria, Australia. He was cremated at Springvale Crematorium.[17]