Sidney Webster
| Sidney Webster | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Sidney Norman Webster |
| Nickname(s) | Webbie |
| Born |
19 March 1900 Walsall, England |
| Died | 5 April 1984 (aged 84) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1918-1950 |
| Rank | Air Vice-Marshal |
| Unit | High Speed Flight RAF |
| Commands held | RAF Hong Kong |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Air Force Cross and Bar |
Air Vice-Marshal Sidney Norman Webster CBE AFC* (1900–1984) was an English aviator, a senior officer in the Royal Air Force who flew the winning aircraft in the 1927 Schneider Trophy seaplane race.[1]
Early life
Sidney Normal Webster was born in Walsall on 9 March 1900 and joined the Royal Air Force in September 1918 and trained as a pilot.[2] He was awarded the Air Force Cross in 1921. In 1927 he was selected as part of the British team to contest the 1929 Schneider Trophy.[1]
Schneider Trophy
After training Webster and the British team moved to Venice, Italy to prepare for the race against Italy, and the United States. The race was held on 26 September 1927 and was won by Webster flying his Supermarine S.5 single-engined seaplane at an average speed of 281.66 mph (453 km/h).[1] After winning the trophy Webster was awarded a bar to his Air Force Cross.[3]
Webster left the High Speed Flight and after a tour as a flight commander in 1933 he was seconded to the Egyptian Government until 1939.[2]
Second world war
Webster used his experience of high speed flight as he acted as a liaison officer between the Air Ministry and various aircraft manufacturers in the United Kingdom. In 1944 he moved to the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment as commanding officer.[1]
Post war
After the war Webster had two tours of duty with Coastal Command in between he was Air Officer Commanding RAF Hong Kong, he retired in 1950.[2]
Honours and awards
- 2 January 1922 - Flying Officer Sidney Norman Webster is awarded the Air Force Cross[4]
- 11 October 1927 - Bar to the Air Force Cross:
The King has been graciously pleased to approve the award of a Bar to the Air Force Cross held by Flight Lieutenant Sidney Norman Webster, AFC, in recognition of his achievement winning the recent "Schneider Cup" Air Race.— London Gazette[3]
- 1 January 1946 - Air Commodore Sidney Norman Webster, AFC, RAF was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Air Vice-Marshal S.N. Webster" (Obituaries). The Times (London). Tuesday, 10 April 1984. (61802), col G, p. 16.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - Air Vice Marshal S N Webster (08182)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The London Gazette: no. 33319. p. 6402. 11 October 1927. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 32563. p. 10719. 31 December 1921. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 37407. p. 32. 1 January 1946. Retrieved 18 April 2011.