| William George Sellar Curphey | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Growler |
| Born | 1895 London, England |
| Died | 15 May 1917 (aged 21-22) Vicinity of Cagnicourt |
| Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery | Souchez, Pas de Calais, France |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Royal Berkshire Regiment, No. 32 Squadron RFC |
| Awards | Military Cross with Bar |
Captain William George Sellar Curphey was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.[1]
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Curphey was born to Mr. and Mrs. William Salvador Curphey, residing at 87 Canfield Gardens, Hampstead, Middlesex, England; the elder William Curphey was a civil servant. The younger William Curphey was educated at Glasgow Academy, at University College School, Hampstead, and at London University. He belonged to the Officers Training Corps at London University.[2]
Curphey enlisted in the Royal Berkshires in the early days of World War I. His commission as Temporary Second lieutenant in that regiment was gazetted 16 November 1914.[3] A promotion to Temporary lieutenant followed on 1 June 1915.[4] On 15 July 1916, Curphey was transferred from the Berkshires to the General List of the Royal Flying Corps.[5] He was advanced from Pilot Officer to Flight Commander with an accompanying promotion to Temporary Lieutenant on 8 January 1917.[6]
Curphey was one of the original pilots of 32 Squadron, which was posted with its Airco DH.2s to the Battle of the Somme in France on 28 May 1916.[7][8] He scored six wins between 22 August 1916 and 7 February 1917; one of them was shared with fellow ace Thomas Robb. On 4 February, he suffered a slight head wound and was forced to land by Leutnant Erwin Böhme; this was Böhme's tenth victory.[9]
On 14 May 1917, Curphey was one of a trio of patrollers who attacked three German observation balloons. Six Albatros fighters then attacked them. An Albatros on Curphey's tail became Saint Cyprian Tayler's second victim. Curphey was then shot down by Leutnant Franz Walz as the German ace's seventh victory.[10] Curphey's plane was 20 feet from a crashlanding when it burst into flames. He died of the resulting burns the following day, in a German field hospital in Bouchain. At the time of his death, Curphey had a promotion to major pending; the new rank would have removed him from flight status.[11]
Military Cross
Temp. Lt. William George Sellar C'urphey, Gen. List and R.F.C. For conspicuous skill and gallantry. He brought down an enemy machine, and two days later attacked and brought down another. He has frequently attacked formations of hostile aircraft and driven them down.[12]
Bar to the Military Cross (in lieu of a second award)
His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award a Bar to the Military Cross to the undermentioned Officer:— Temp. Lt. (temp. Capt.) William George Sellar Curphey, M.C., Gen. List and E.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry in action. He, with a patrol of four machines attacked a hostile formation of ten machines. After a prolonged fight he drove one enemy machine down. Later, although wounded, he again led another attack on a hostile machine and succeeded in bringing it down. He has on many previous occasions done fine work. (The Military Cross was awarded in London Gazette dated 14 November 1916.)[13]