Alexander Roulstone

Alexander Roulstone
Born 10 October 1890
Salford, Lancashire, England
Died Unknown (post 1946?)
Allegiance England
Service/branch Aviation
Rank Captain
Unit No. 110 Squadron RFC, No. 25 Squadron RFC, No. 57 Squadron RFC
Awards Military Cross

Captain Alexander Roulstone (born 10 October 1890, date of death unknown) was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories. He scored his victories, and downed two German aces, while handicapped by flying bombers.

World War I service

Alexander Roulstone was appointed a Flying Officer in the Royal Flying Corps on 14 February 1917.[1] By 6 April, he was flying combat with 25 Squadron in a Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b; when flying over Givenchy, he saw a German Albatros D.III set afire a British plane from 16 Squadron, turned the tables on the German, Leutnant Karl Schäfer, and scored his first victory.[2][3] Roulstone would soon score twice more as a FE.2b pilot, on 24 April and 21 May 1917.[4] On 7 July 1917, he was appointed a Flight Commander, with the concomitant promotion from Temporary Lieutenant to Temporary Captain.[5] At about the same time, 25 Squadron upgraded to Airco DH.4s as replacement bombers for the FE.2. On 20 and 22 July, Roulstone used his new mount to great effect, downing a German each day and becoming an ace. He added one more to his score a month later, on 22 August. After a transfer to 57 Squadron, which saw him still a Flight Commander piloting a DH.4, he rounded off his list with a victory each on 13 and 17 March 1918. His last win was over Hans Bethge. Although classified as an "out of control" victory by the British, Bethge died of wounds received, but in turn wounded Roulstone.[2][4]

Post World War I

Roulstone was granted a short service commission as a Flight Lieutenant effective 24 October 1919,[6] although on 9 March 1920, the notice of his commission was cancelled.[7] On 18 March 1920, he was transferred to the unemployed list of the Royal Air Force.[8]

An Alexander Roulstone is mentioned in a notice dissolving a partnership in a hairdressing salon in 1946. It is uncertain whether this is the World War I flyer.[9]

Military honors

Military Cross

T./2nd Lt. (T./Lt.) Alexander Roulstone, Gen. List and R.F.C. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when engaged in aerial fighting and in photographic reconnaissances. In spite of continual hostile attacks he had proved most successful in securing photographs, and on several occasions he shot down enemy, machines out of control, displaying skilful manoeuvring and great determination.[10]

Sources of information

  1. ↑ (The London Gazette, 6 March 1917) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29972/pages/2257 Retrieved on 17 August 2010.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/schafer2.php Retrieved on 17 August 2010.
  3. ↑ Pusher Aces of World War I. p. 74–75.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Pusher Aces of World War I. p. 76.
  5. ↑ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 20 July 1917) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30193/supplements/7406 Retrieved on 17 August 2010.
  6. ↑ (The London Gazette, 24 October 1919) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31616/pages/13032 http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31616/pages/13033 Retrieved on 17 August 2010.
  7. ↑ (The London Gazette, 9 March 1920) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31816/pages/2906 Retrieved on 17 August 2010.
  8. ↑ (The London Gazette, 9 April 1920) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31857/pages/4239 Retrieved on 17 August 2010.
  9. ↑ (The London Gazette, 5 July 1946) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37641/pages/3466 Retrieved on 17 August 2010.
  10. ↑ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 17 September 1917) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30287/supplements/9582 Retrieved on 17 August 2010.

References