| Norman Cyril Jones | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1890s (estimated) |
| Died | Post 1 April 1974 |
| Allegiance | England |
| Service/branch | Field Artillery, aviation |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 2d East Lancashires, No. 71 Squadron RFC, No. 28 Squadron RFC, No. 45 Squadron RAF |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
| Other work | Interrupted his business career to return to service during World War II |
Captain Norman Cyril Jones was an English flying ace during World War I. He was credited with nine aerial victories.
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Norman Cyril Jones was born in Cheshire, England.[1] His birth date is unknown; however, he would have to been born prior to 1897 to be old enough to be commissioned into the military at the start of World War I in 1914.
Norman Cyril Jones was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 2nd East Lancashire Brigade on 14 September 1914.[2]
He was promoted to lieutenant in the Royal Horse and Field Artillery on 1 June 1916.[3]
On 8 June 1917, second lieutenant Jones was appointed a Flying Officer in the Royal Flying Corps; this appointment customarily marked graduation from pilot's training.[4] From 21 June–19 August 1917 he was posted to 71 Squadron while it was in Warwickshire.[5] In late 1917, he was assigned to 28 Squadron in Italy. He scored his first aerial victory while with them, on 25 January 1918.[6]
On 30 January 1918 Jones was appointed a Flight Commander with the temporary rank of Captain.[7] He subsequently transferred in theater, to 45 Squadron, where he resumed his winning ways on 19 May 1918. He would run his score to nine by 21 August 1918.[8]
He earned a Distinguished Flying Cross for his courageous service. It was gazetted on 21 September 1918:
"A gallant and skilful patrol leader who has proved successful on many occasions against numerically superior enemy formations. Capt. Jones has personally destroyed six enemy machines this year."[9]
Needless to say, the award citation was based on incomplete information, as Jones' victory list shows.
See also Aerial victory standards of World War I
| No. | Date/time | Aircraft | Foe | Result | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 January 1918 @ 1045 hours | Sopwith Camel serial number B6344 | Aviatik reconnaissance plane | Destroyed | Sernaglia-San Pietro | |
| 2 | 19 May 1918 @ 0625 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n B6372 | Reconnaissance plane | Set afire; destroyed | Mel, Veneto | Victory shared with Charles Gray Catto |
| 3 | 20 May 1918 @ 1040 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n B6372 | Albatros D.III | Destroyed | Northeast of Asiago | |
| 4 | 1 June 1918 @ 0945 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n B6372 | Albatros D.V | Set afire; destroyed | Feltre | |
| 5 | 7 June 1918 @ 1740 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n B6372 | DFW reconnaissance plane | Destroyed | Arsiero | |
| 6 | 28 June 1918 @ 0835 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n D8169 | Albatros D.III | Destroyed | A mile west of Pedavena | |
| 7 | 29 July 1918 @ approx. 0900 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n D8169 | Albatros D.III | Destroyed | Brugnera | |
| 8 | 21 August 1918 @ 0815 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n D8234 | Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Ghiarona | |
| 9 | 21 August 1918 @ 0815 hours | Sopwith Camel s/n D8234 | Albatros D.V | Driven down out of control | Ghiarona | [10][11] |
On 23 January 1919, Lieutenant Norman Cyril Jones was placed on the RAF's unemployed list.[12] His assignment to the RAF was ended and he was returned to the Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery of the Territorial Force.[13] He gave up his commission on 30 September 1921.[14]
As Jones exited the military, he moved into the business world. He was involved in the reorganization of the family business in March 1920, which established John Jones as Chairman.[15]
He rejoined the RAF for World War II; on 23 February 1941 he was commissioned as an Acting Probationary Pilot Officer for "the duration of hostilities...."[16] Despite his military duties, he was a personal representative to the estate of John Jenkyn Jones, deceased 30 November 1943.[17]
Norman Cyril Jones retired from the firm of Cox & Deakin on 1 April 1974.[18]
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