Sydney A. Oades
Encyclopedia
Sydney Arthur Oades was a British World War I flying ace
credited with 11 official aerial victories.
with the Royal Engineers
.
On 15 May 1917, Oades was commissioned a temporary second lieutenant
in the Royal Flying Corps
. He was confirmed in his rank on 22 June 1917.
By late 1917, he was posted to 22 Squadron as a Bristol F.2 Fighter
pilot. On 27 October 1917, he and his observer drove a German Rumpler
reconnaissance craft down out of control for Oades' first aerial victory. He then teamed with John Jones
for his next two wins; on both 5 and 6 December 1917, they destroyed German reconnaissance planes. With a different observer manning the rear guns, he drove down an Albatros D.V
north of Roulers, Belgium on 6 January 1918. Oades then crewed up with Stanton Bunting; the new pair began a run of seven successes on 30 January 1918 by driving down a German recon plane to make Oades an ace. On 17 February, they destroyed an Albatros D.V; the next day, they drove down another out of control. On the 26th, in two separate engagements, they burned an Albatros D.V and drove a second one down. On 5 March 1918, they destroyed two more German enemies in an action that saw both RFC crewmen wounded. By now, Bunting was also an ace, though an undecorated one. Oades, on the other hand, would receive a Military Cross for his exploits.
Oades was injured in an aircraft crash on 13 March 1918; he would not score another victory.
on 9 April 1921.
on probation for duration of hostilities. However, he was forced to surrender his commission on 12 December 1941 because of health issues.
He retired from the profession of retail costumier. He died upon 13 January 1961 while residing in Kingston upon Thames
in Surrey.
T./2nd Lt. Sydney Arthur Oades, Gen.
List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. On six different occasions during
four months he has driven down three
enemy machines which crashed on reaching
the ground, and has destroyed two
others, causing them to descend in
flames. A sixth machine, after he had
fired eighty rounds into it, turned over and
went down spinning out of control, but
owing to bad visibility it was not observed
to crash. In addition to these he has brought
down another three hostile machines
out of control, and has always shown the most magnificent dash, gallantry, and determination.
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 11 official aerial victories.
World War I
Sydney Arthur Oades originally served as a sapperSapper
A sapper, pioneer or combat engineer is a combatant soldier who performs a wide variety of combat engineering duties, typically including, but not limited to, bridge-building, laying or clearing minefields, demolitions, field defences, general construction and building, as well as road and airfield...
with the Royal Engineers
Royal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
.
On 15 May 1917, Oades was commissioned a temporary second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in 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...
. He was confirmed in his rank on 22 June 1917.
By late 1917, he was posted to 22 Squadron as a Bristol F.2 Fighter
Bristol F.2 Fighter
The Bristol F.2 Fighter was a British two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft of the First World War flown by the Royal Flying Corps. It is often simply called the Bristol Fighter or popularly the "Brisfit" or "Biff". Despite being a two-seater, the F.2B proved to be an agile aircraft...
pilot. On 27 October 1917, he and his observer drove a German Rumpler
Rumpler
The Rumpler Tropfenwagen was a car developed by Austrian engineer Edmund Rumpler.Rumpler, born in Vienna, was a designer of aircraft when on the 1921's Berlin car show he introduced the Tropfenwagen. It was to be the first streamlined car . The Rumpler had a Cw-value of only 0.28...
reconnaissance craft down out of control for Oades' first aerial victory. He then teamed with John Jones
John Jones (aviator)
Sergeant John Jones was a World War I flying ace credited with 15 aerial victories.John Jones served as an observer gunner in the Bristol F.2 Fighters of No. 22 Squadron. Flying with such pilots as Second Lieutenants Frank George Gibbons, Sydney A. Oades, Stanley Wallace, and William John Mostyn,...
for his next two wins; on both 5 and 6 December 1917, they destroyed German reconnaissance planes. With a different observer manning the rear guns, he drove down an Albatros D.V
Albatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
north of Roulers, Belgium on 6 January 1918. Oades then crewed up with Stanton Bunting; the new pair began a run of seven successes on 30 January 1918 by driving down a German recon plane to make Oades an ace. On 17 February, they destroyed an Albatros D.V; the next day, they drove down another out of control. On the 26th, in two separate engagements, they burned an Albatros D.V and drove a second one down. On 5 March 1918, they destroyed two more German enemies in an action that saw both RFC crewmen wounded. By now, Bunting was also an ace, though an undecorated one. Oades, on the other hand, would receive a Military Cross for his exploits.
Oades was injured in an aircraft crash on 13 March 1918; he would not score another victory.
Post World War I
Sydney Arthur Oades was restored to active duty in the RAF as a Flying OfficerFlying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
on 9 April 1921.
World War II and beyond
On 22 July 1940, Sydney Oades was appointed a Pilot OfficerPilot Officer
Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer...
on probation for duration of hostilities. However, he was forced to surrender his commission on 12 December 1941 because of health issues.
He retired from the profession of retail costumier. He died upon 13 January 1961 while residing in Kingston upon Thames
Kingston upon Thames
Kingston upon Thames is the principal settlement of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames in southwest London. It was the ancient market town where Saxon kings were crowned and is now a suburb situated south west of Charing Cross. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the...
in Surrey.
Honors and awards
Military CrossT./2nd Lt. Sydney Arthur Oades, Gen.
List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. On six different occasions during
four months he has driven down three
enemy machines which crashed on reaching
the ground, and has destroyed two
others, causing them to descend in
flames. A sixth machine, after he had
fired eighty rounds into it, turned over and
went down spinning out of control, but
owing to bad visibility it was not observed
to crash. In addition to these he has brought
down another three hostile machines
out of control, and has always shown the most magnificent dash, gallantry, and determination.