Ian Napier

Ian Patrick Robert Napier
Nickname(s) "Old Naps"
Born 24 July 1895
Milton, West Dunbartonshire
Died 9 May 1977 (aged 81)
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch Infantry; aviation
Rank Captain
Unit Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
No. 40 Squadron RAF
Awards Military Cross, French Legion d'Honneur and Croix de Guerre

Captain Ian Patrick Robert Napier MC was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories.[1]

On 2 September 1914, Napier was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the 9th (The Dumbartonshire) Battalion, Princess Louise's Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.[2] On 8 July 1915, he was appointed an aide-de-camp.[3] On 8 February 1916, he was restored to the establishment of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.[4] 9 February promoted Lieutenant.[5] On 4 August 1916, he was simultaneously seconded to the Royal Flying Corps[6] and appointed a Flying Officer.[7]

Napier was assigned to 40 Squadron as a Nieuport pilot.[8] He scored his first victory on 14 April 1917, in the destruction of an Albatros D.III. His second win came ten days later, when he helped Robert A. Little capture a DFW C.V.[9] On 22 May 1917, Napier was promoted to Captain with seniority of 1 June 1916.[10] Rather confusingly, on 5 June 1917 Napier was promoted from Flying Officer to Temporary Captain and Flight Commander.[11]

Napier resumed his victory list after upgrading to a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a. On 6 March 1918, he destroyed an Albatros D.V. A month later, he scored again. He then accumulated victories until 4 July 1918, when he scored his twelfth. His final tally was seven German planes destroyed (including two shared wins), three driven down out of control (one of which was shared), and two shared captures of DFW D.Vs.[12]

On 18 April 1919, Napier transferred to the unemployed list of the RAF.[13] 7 December 1920 relinquished temporary commission in Royal Air Force to return to Territorial Force (probably Highlanders).[14] Eventually, he went into the family shipbuilding business.[15]

Honors and awards

Military Cross (MC) on 16 September 1918

Capt. Ian Patrick Robert Napier, Arg. & Suth'd Highrs. and R.A.F.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer has carried out many reconnaissances, and flying at low altitudes has engaged massed enemy troops with bombs and machine-gun fire, inflicting heavy casualties. He has brought down seven enemy machines.[16]

Croix de Chevalier, Legion d'Honneur was awarded on 17 December 1917.[17]

Endnotes

  1. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/scotland/napier2.php Retrieved on 24 March 2010.
  2. ↑ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 1 September 1914) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28886/pages/6915 Retrieved on 24 March 2010.
  3. ↑ (The London Gazette, 10 August 1915) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29258/pages/7896 Retrieved on 24 March 2010.
  4. ↑ (The London Gazette, 16 May 1916) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29583/pages/4862 Retrieved on 24 March 2010.
  5. ↑ (The London Gazette, 5 May 1916) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29568/pages/4462 Retrieved on 24 March 2010.
  6. ↑ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 14 September 1916) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29748/supplements/8995 Retrieved on 24 March 2010.
  7. ↑ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 7 September 1916) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29738/supplements/8789 Retrieved on 24 March 2010.
  8. ↑ Nieuport Aces of World War 1.. p. 27.
  9. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/scotland/napier2.php Retrieved on 24 March 2010.
  10. ↑ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 30 June 1917) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30158/supplements/6516 Retrieved on 24 March 2010.
  11. ↑ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 29 June 1917) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30157/supplements/6484 Retrieved on 24 March 2010.
  12. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/scotland/napier2.php Retrieved on 24 March 2010.
  13. ↑ (The London Gazette, 13 May 1919) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31336/pages/5919 through http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31336/pages/5920 Retrieved on 24 March 2010.
  14. ↑ (The London Gazette, 7 December 1920) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/32154/pages/12055 Retrieved on 24 March 2010.
  15. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/scotland/napier2.php Retrieved on 24 March 2010.
  16. ↑ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 September 1918) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30901/supplements/10993 Retrieved on 24 March 2010.
  17. ↑ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 17 December 1917) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30431/supplements/13206 Retrieved on 24 March 2010.

References