Spencer B. Horn
Encyclopedia
Captain Spencer Bertram Horn (born 18 April 1895, date of death unknown) was a World War I flying ace
credited with thirteen aerial victories.
Horn was the youngest of seven children born to Penelope Elizabeth Belt and William Austin Horn. His six older siblings were born in Australia, but Horn's parents sailed back to England and landed the day before Horn was born.
Horn began his military service in the Dragoon Guards, but transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
. His first assignment after training was to 60 Squadron, from April to November 1917; his Flight Commander was Billy Bishop
. Horn scored his first two victories while flying a Nieuport
fighter for 60 Squadron on the second and sixth of May 1917. The squadron upgraded to Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5as. On this new mount, Horn and William Molesworth
set an Albatros D.III
afire on 5 August 1917. When Bishop transferred out of the squadron to form and command 85 Squadron, Horn took his place as C Flight Commander. Horn went on to run his string to six by 5 September 1917. He then went to instructor duty at Ayr
with the Home Establishment.
He thus had over an eight month lapse before he began scoring again as a Flight Commander in 85 Squadron; Bishop had him transferred in March 1918. Beginning on 30 May 1918 and ongoing until 17 September 1918, he reeled off seven more wins. His final tally was seven enemy planes destroyed, six driven down out of control.
Spencer Horn did not remain with the Royal Air Force, but instead returned to Army service. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He died at Aldbourne, England on 18 October 1969.
Lt. Spencer Bertram Horn, D.G. and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has destroyed several hostile machines and driven down others out of control. On one occasion he attacked alone four enemy aircraft, shooting one down completely out of control. He has twice cooperated with an infantry attack, diving to a very low altitude. He has shown great skill and gallantry on all occasions.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with thirteen aerial victories.
Horn was the youngest of seven children born to Penelope Elizabeth Belt and William Austin Horn. His six older siblings were born in Australia, but Horn's parents sailed back to England and landed the day before Horn was born.
Horn began his military service in the Dragoon Guards, but transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
. His first assignment after training was to 60 Squadron, from April to November 1917; his Flight Commander was Billy Bishop
Billy Bishop
Air Marshal William Avery "Billy" Bishop VC, CB, DSO & Bar, MC, DFC, ED was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 72 victories, making him the top Canadian ace, and according to some sources, the top ace of the British Empire.-Early life:Bishop was born in Owen Sound,...
. Horn scored his first two victories while flying a Nieuport
Nieuport
Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars.-Beginnings:...
fighter for 60 Squadron on the second and sixth of May 1917. The squadron upgraded to Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5as. On this new mount, Horn and William Molesworth
William Molesworth (aviator)
Major William Earle Molesworth was a World War I flying ace credited with 18 aerial victories.Molesworth attended Marlborough College from 1908 - 1912. He then moved on to RMC Sandhurst from 1912 - 1914. On 8 August 1914, he was commissioned second lieutenant in the Royal Munster Fusiliers. He went...
set an Albatros D.III
Albatros D.III
The Albatros D.III was a biplane fighter aircraft used by the Imperial German Army Air Service and the Austro-Hungarian Air Service during World War I. The D.III was flown by many top German aces, including Manfred von Richthofen, Ernst Udet, Erich Löwenhardt, Kurt Wolff, and Karl Emil Schäfer...
afire on 5 August 1917. When Bishop transferred out of the squadron to form and command 85 Squadron, Horn took his place as C Flight Commander. Horn went on to run his string to six by 5 September 1917. He then went to instructor duty at Ayr
Ayr
Ayr is a town and port situated on the Firth of Clyde in south-west Scotland. With a population of around 46,000, Ayr is the largest settlement in Ayrshire, of which it is the county town, and has held royal burgh status since 1205...
with the Home Establishment.
He thus had over an eight month lapse before he began scoring again as a Flight Commander in 85 Squadron; Bishop had him transferred in March 1918. Beginning on 30 May 1918 and ongoing until 17 September 1918, he reeled off seven more wins. His final tally was seven enemy planes destroyed, six driven down out of control.
Spencer Horn did not remain with the Royal Air Force, but instead returned to Army service. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He died at Aldbourne, England on 18 October 1969.
Honors and awards
- Awarded the Military CrossMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(MC) on 18 October 1917.
Lt. Spencer Bertram Horn, D.G. and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has destroyed several hostile machines and driven down others out of control. On one occasion he attacked alone four enemy aircraft, shooting one down completely out of control. He has twice cooperated with an infantry attack, diving to a very low altitude. He has shown great skill and gallantry on all occasions.
- Awarded the King Haakon VII's Cross of Liberty on 16 March 1948.
Reference
- Nieuport Aces of World War 1. Norman Franks. Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 1855329611, 9781855329614.
- 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 0948817194, 9780948817199.