Ernest Foot

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Ernest Leslie Foot
Nickname Feet
Born 19 May 1895
Pulborough, Sussex, England
Died 23 June 1923 (aged 28)
In the vicinity of Chertsey, Surrey, England
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch Flying service
Rank Major
Unit No. 11 Squadron RFC, No. 60 Squadron RFC, No. 56 Squadron RFC
Awards Military Cross

Major Ernest Leslie Foot MC was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories. He was the best friend of Albert Ball.[1]

In 1916, Foot served in 11 Squadron flying Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b no. 7016. It was here he befriended Ball. Foot also destroyed three enemy airplanes during this tour of duty, two upon 9 September and one upon 15 September 1916. The day after his third win, he transferred to 60 Squadron as a flight commander. There was a Spad on trial with the unit; Foot used it to destroy an Albatros two-seater on 28 September. He then used a Nieuport to drive down a Roland C.II on 21 October 1916. On 26 October, Foot was shot down in flames by German ace Hans Imelmann; somehow, Foot crash-landed unscathed.[2] On 3 November, he was sent back to England for a rest.[3]

He joined 56 Squadron on 10 March 1917, as it mobilized as the first squadron to operate the Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5. Once again, he was a flight commander. However, an auto accident the night before the squadron departed for France knocked Foot out of flying for the remainder of the war.[4]

On 23 June 1923, he was flying Bristol M.1D registered G-EAVP when a wing fell off it. Foot died in the resultant impact, which was near Chertsey.[5]

Honours and awards

Military Cross (MC)

Temp. Lt. (temp. Capt.) Ernest Leslie Foot, Gen. List and R.F.C.

For conspicuous skill and gallantry. When flying a single-seater scout, he dived on to five hostile machines, which were flying at about 2,500 feet, and drove one to the ground as a wreck. On many other occasions he has shown great determination when fighting enemy machines. Supplement to the London Gazette, 14 November 1916 (29824/11053)[6]

Sources of information

  1. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/foot.php Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  2. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/foot.php Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  3. ↑ Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. p. 157. 
  4. ↑ Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. p. 157. 
  5. ↑ Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. p. 157. 
  6. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/foot.php Retrieved 5 February 2010.

References

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 0-948817-19-4, ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9.

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