Hubert Jones

Hubert William Godfrey Jones (7 October 1890 – 14 May 1943), also known as Hubert Wilson Godfrey Jones Penderel, was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.^[1]

Hubert Jones was born in Llandeilo, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Jones. His brother, Captain E.A.H. Penderel of the Tank Corps and Royal Fusiliers resided at Garth, Rhyd-y-fro, Pontardawe.^[2][3] On 18 October 1928 he assumed the surname of Penderel.^[4] On 30 March 1929 at All Saints Cathedral Cairo, he married Aetheldreda Luxton, daughter of Mr and Mrs Luxton Loney, of Ocean Avenue, Edgecliff^[5] In 1931 he petitioned the High Court for nullity of marriage.^[6]

On 14 May 1943 Group Captain (Pilot) Penderel of RAF Middle Wallop, having passed through RAF Martlesham Heath, on a secret trial flight in Hurricane HV 895 over the Sudbourne battle training area, crashed and was killed at Orford Ness.^[7] His ashes were interred at Llanguicke (St. Ciwg) Churchyard.^[8]

Military service

In July 1916 Captain H.W.G. Jones^[9] attained his aviator's certificate at the Beatty School of Flying, Hendon, and was appointed on 22 July as a Flying Officer to the Royal Flying Corps Military Wing.^[10]

On 26 March 1917 Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) Hubert William Godfrey Jones, Welsh Regiment and R.F.C., was awarded the Military Cross "for conspicuous gallantry in action. With a patrol of three scouts he attacked a hostile formation of ten enemy machines. Although wounded, he continued the combat and drove down an enemy machine. Later, although again wounded, he remained with his patrol until the enemy retired."^[11][12][13]

In The Rolls of Honours in Flight on 1 March 1917^[14] and 5 April 1917^[15] Captain Jones was reported by the War Office as wounded.

On 26 May 1917 Captain Jones was awarded the Italian Silver Medal for Military Valour.^[16][17]

On 2 August 1917 Jones was appointed as an Instructor at the Central Flying School.^[18][19]

On 22 January 1919 the Air Ministry officially recorded that Captain Jones had rendered valuable war service in the Royal Air Force.^[20]

On 30 June 1923 the 4th Royal Air Force Display at Hendon was held before King George V, the Queen and the Duke and Duchess of York. Flight Lieutenant Jones was one of the three member RAF Northolt team which came second in the relay race.^[21]

On 4 July 1926 the 7th Royal Air Force Display at Hendon was held before the King and Queen of England, King Alfonso and the Queen of Spain, the Duke of York and the Secretary of State for Air Sir Samuel Hoare. The "event of the day" was "an exhibition of Group evolutions of two wings of three Fighter Squadrons of nine machines—54 in all." Squadron Leader Jones led Fighter Squadron No. 19 from Duxford flying Gloster Grebes. Flight said, "It was, without doubt, one of the most wonderful displays of skilful piloting that has yet been presented at any of the Displays". Jones also led No. 19 Fighter Squadron in a low-bombing competition involving an attack on a moving tank in which "several direct hits were scored".^[22]

On 30 June 1928 the 9th Royal Air Force Display at Hendon was held before King George V and the Queen, the King of Spain and the Duke of York and an estimated crowd of 150,000. Squadron Leader Jones led No. 19 Squadron in a dive bombing display.^[23]

In August 1928 in the Air Manouevres, Squadron Leader Jones led No. 19 Duxford Squadron of Siskins, being one of 12 fighter squadrons forming part of the defence force in the manoeuvres, "to test the efficiency of units and to teach lessons in co-ordination of air and ground defence, flying organization, spotting arrangements, fighting tactics etc."^[24]

Between 12 January and 13 March 1931, Squadron Leader Penderel commanded the No. 216 (Bomber) Squadron RAF formation 6,000 miles return flight, of three Vickers Victoria troop carriers from their base at Heliopolis Aerodrome Cairo to Cape Town, where he was welcomed on 7 February by the Governor-General Earl of Clarendon and Lady Clarendon.^[25]

On 3 June 1931 Squadron Leader Penderel was awarded the Air Force Cross^[26] which, on 25 June 1931, was conferred on him by His Majesty King George V at Buckingham Palace.^[27]

On 1 December 1937 Wing Commander Penderel was appointed to command the School of Naval Co-operation, Ford.^[28]

On 26 September 1939 Group Captain Penderel was the first commander of No. 201 Group RAF, which was formed from General Reconnaissance Group, Middle East of the Royal Air Force (RAF).^[29][30]

Promotions and Other Appointments:

• 17 April 1913 2nd Lieutenant 4th Battalion The Welsh Regiment.^[31]
• 28 January 1915 Temporary Lieutenant.^[32]
• 11 August 1915 Temporary Captain.^[33]
• 22 July 1916 Flying Officer.^[34]
• 10 February 1917 Flight Commander.^[35]
• 2 August 1917 Central Flying School Instructor.^[36]
• 1 July 1918 Temporary Major.^[37][38]
• 1 August 1919 Captain with a permanent commission in the RAF.^[39][40]
• 17 September 1921 RAF No. 28 Squadron (India).^[41]
• 19 October 1922 RAF Depot (Inland Area) (Supernumerary).^[42]
• 4 April 1923 RAF No. 41 Squadron, Northolt.^[43]
• 1 July 1925 Squadron Leader.^[44]
• 20 October 1928 RAF No. 216 Squadron Middle East.^[45]
• 1 January 1933 Wing Commander.^[46]
• 5 October 1933 HQ Fighting Area, RAF Uxbridge for personnel staff duties.^[47]
• 1 January 1938 Group Captain.^[48]

Air racing

Hubert Jones piloted flying machines in British air races during the 1920s and 1930s, his skill being such that he was alloted a scratch handicap.

On 12 August 1924 in the Third King's Cup Round Britain Race, Jones piloted a Siddeley Siskin III with a 395 Siddeley "Jaguar" engine, entered by Sir Glynn Hamilton West. The course was about 950 miles (1,530 km) starting from Martlesham Heath and finishing at Lee-on-Solent. Jones was placed 4th out of 9 competitors. Jones was photographed alighting from his machine at Gosport, and later crossing the finishing line in the time of 7 hours 34 minutes 12 seconds under the caption, "The fastest machine in the King's Cup Race."^[49][50]

On 3−4 July 1925 in the Fourth King's Cup Circuit of Britain Race, Jones piloted an Armstrong-Whitworth Siskin IV,^[51] entered by Sir Glynn Hamilton West. The 1,608 miles (2,588 km) handicap race started and finished in Croydon and comprised two circuits of Britain. Jones finished 2nd out of 14 competitors, and was photographed "receiving congratulations" under the caption, "He started in the race as a Flight-Lieutenant, and finished up as a Squadron-Leader!"^[52][53]

On 9−10 July 1926 in the Fifth King's Cup Air Race, Jones piloted a Martinsyde A.D.C.1 with a 395 Siddeley "Jaguar" engine,^[54] entered by Lt. Col. M.O. Darby. The handicap race of 1,464 miles (2,356 km) started and finished at Hendon. Jones won two prizes: 3rd out of 14 competitors; and the "fastest" time of 9 hours 45 minutes 14 seconds at an average speed of 151.9 mph (244.5 km/h).^[55]

On 15 July 1931 in the Hanworth–Blackpool Air Race, Penderel piloted a Spartan Arrow, entered by Colonel Louis Strange^[56] and he finished 1st out of 14 competitors.^[57]

On 30 June 1934 in the Fifteenth Royal Air Force Display at Hendon, Penderel represented RAF Fighting Area HQ and was one of ten competitors who piloted a Fury Kestrel IIs^[58] in the 14 miles Headquarters Race. Flight describes the scene, "The scratch man, Wing Com. Penderel, Fighting Area, had already overtaken several others when he came round over the enclosures on the first lap, and from then on he could be seen overhauling other machines steadily."^[59] Due to the efficacy of the handicapping, Penderel finished outside the first three places.

Exploration

Between 1932 and 1933 Penderel undertook a number of expeditions to explore Gilf Kebir. One of his expeditions with Count László Almásy loosely formed the basis for "The English Patient." On 8 January 1934, Penderel gave a lecture^[60] on his expeditions to the Royal Geographical Society, who admitted him as a Fellow of their society, F.R.G.S.^[61]

References