William Ernest Staton
Encyclopedia
Air Vice-Marshal
William Ernest Staton CB
, DSO
& Bar
, MC
, DFC
& Bar
(27 August 1898 – 22 July 1983) was a British airman who began his career as a First World War flying ace credited with 26 victories. He was transferred to the Royal Air Force
on its creation and remained in the RAF during the inter-war years. During the Second World War he served in England and pioneering the bombing technique of using pathfinders to mark targets. He then served in the Far East before becoming a Japanese prisoner of war. After the war he returned to Great Britain and the RAF where he reached air rank
and captaining the British Olympic Shooting Team.
. He had been commissioned a Temporary Second Lieutenant in the Artists Rifles on 4 May 1917. He became a Flying Officer with effective rank of Second Lieutenant on 21 September 1917. Staton was posted to No. 62 Squadron at the end of flying training early in 1918.
, France. Staton was piloting one of the Bristols with Lieutenant Horace E. Merritt as his observer, and he claimed his first two aerial victories. He then flamed a Fokker Dr.I
on 21 March and scored a triple triumph on 26 March to become an ace.
He was commissioned as a Temporary Lieutenant on 1 April on the same day the Royal Flying Corps
was incorporated into the Royal Air Force
. After scoring two victories in April and a double on 3 May, he was promoted to Temporary Captain and appointed a flight leader with the squadron. By the time he was awarded the Military Cross
on 22 June 1918 he had 17 claims to his credit. Fifteen of these wins were shared with observer/gunner Lieutenant John Rutherford Gordon
making Gordon an ace in his own right.
Staton eventually claimed a total of 26, the final score coming on 24 September 1918. Eight of his last nine victories came with Lieutenant Leslie Mitchell
as Observer/gunner. In all, Staton had four observers fly with him, and all four became aces, though Merritt and Sergeant William Norman Holmes
scored most of their victories with other pilots.
Staton's final victory roll comprised (in conjunction with his gunners) two enemy fighters shot down in flames, fourteen more enemy aircraft destroyed, a Pfalz D.XII
captured, and an additional nine enemy planes 'out of control'.
Staton had received a Distinguished Flying Cross
on 21 September 1918; a Bar in lieu of a second award would eventually follow, after the war's end, on 3 December.
He had been wounded on 24 September, and sat out the rest of the war.
He also had a scarred head from a wound inflicted at an officers' mess party and the nickname of "Bull".
after the war with a permanent commission as a lieutenant on 1 August 1919. He married Norah Carina Workman on 15 November 1919.
On 12 January 1920, he was posted to pilot's duties with 20 Squadron
.
On 30 April 1922 he was posted as a supernumerary because of illness and by 16 September 1922 he had recuperated enough to be posted back to flight status.
He was promoted to Flight Lieutenant
on 1 January 1925.
In May 1927 Staton was assigned to staff duty at RAF Calshot
in England. In March 1928 he became an instructor.
In January 1931 Staton was serving with No. 205 Squadron. In February 1934 he was posted to the Royal Air Force Depot. Later in 1934 he was assigned as Adjutant and Qualified Flight Instructor to 501 (County of Gloucester) Squadron
, Auxiliary Air Force.
Staton was promoted to Squadron Leader
in February 1935. On 15 February, he was assigned to Personnel Staff, Headquarters Inland Area. Later that year he became Chief Flight Instructor, Number 3 FTS (Fighter Training Squadron).
In May 1938 he was posted to fly bombers with 76 Squadron
and in June took command of 10 Squadron
. His size prompted the new nickname of "King Kong".
In July 1938 he was promoted to Wing Commander
.
In February 1940, Staton was awarded a Distinguished Service Order
. The DSO is customarily awarded for meritorious or distinguished service in combat. He is known to have flown on bombing raids during this time and been disappointed by the inaccuracy he observed. He attempted to rectify the situation by use of flares for target marking. He also suggested forming a unit dedicated to marking targets; though he would not see it, this suggestion would eventually lead to formation of the Pathfinder Force, later raised as Number 8 Group Bomber Command.
In July 1940 he was appointed to command of Royal Air Force
Base Leeming. In December 1940 he was promoted to Temporary Group Captain, and to the position of Aide de Camp to the King.
His next assignment was as Senior Air Staff Officer, Headquarters Royal Air Force
Far East, in July 1941, being promoted in January 1942 to Acting Air Commodore, and in February was assigned as Senior Air Staff Officer, Westgroup, Java. On 10 March 1942 he was captured by the Japanese.
Staton would spend the remainder of the war as a prisoner of the Japanese, and would undergo torture for refusing to disclose information to them. To punish him for his holding out against questioning, Japanese interrogators removed his teeth.
In 1947 he was appointed as Commandant, Central Bomber Establishment, at RAF Marham
. In the same year, he also became Chairman of the Royal Air Force
Small Arms Association; he would continue in this capacity until 1952. In 1948 he was made Captain of the British Olympic Shooting Team.
On 5 April 1949 he was appointed Air Officer in charge of Administration, Headquarters Technical Training Command, with a promotion to Acting Air Vice Marshal, made permanent on 1 July 1950.
In 1952 he was again Captain of the British Olympic Shooting Team. In November 1952 he retired on the grounds of facilitating promotions among his junior officers.
William Ernest Staton died on 22 July 1983 just before his 95th birthday.
(MC):
"T./2nd Lt. William Ernest Staton, Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion, when on offensive patrol, he, by the skilful handling of his machine and accurate shooting destroyed two enemy aeroplanes and brought down a third out of control. In addition, during the nine days previous to this, he had destroyed five other enemy machines, two of these being triplanes. The services which he has rendered have been exceptionally brilliant, and his skill and determination are deserving of the highest praise."
Supplement to the London Gazette, 22 June 1918 (30761/7423)
(DFC):
"Lieut. (T./Capt.) William Ernest Staton, M.C.
This officer has already been awarded the Military Cross for gallantry and devotion to duty. Since this award he has accounted for eleven enemy aeroplanes—nine destroyed and two shot down out of control. He has proved himself a most efficient flight commander and an enterprising leader, setting a very fine example to his squadron."
Supplement to the London Gazette, 21 September 1918 (30913/11255)
This officer has already been awarded the Military Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Since his last award he has destroyed five enemy machines and driven down one out of control. His example of courage and resource is a fine incentive to the other pilots of his squadron."
Supplement to the London Gazette, 3 December 1918 (31046/14317)
on 20 February 1940 has not been located, the following award citation for the Bar in lieu of a second award proves he did receive the original DSO:
Citation for the award of the Bar to the Distinguished Service Order
"Wing Commander William Ernest STATON, D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C. (04225).
This officer has continued to display outstanding gallantry and leadership in recent air operations. One night in May, 1940, he led an attack on the oil depot at Bremen. The target was very heavily defended and difficult to identify owing to the exceptional number of searchlights but, after worrying and misleading the defences for an hour, he dived and attacked from 1,000 feet to ensure hitting the target. His aircraft was hit by six shells, the last one of which did considerable damage but he succeeded in reaching his home base. Wing Commander Staton organises and leads his squadron on all new tasks with constant courage and his work on his station is magnificent.."
London Gazette – 7 Jun 1940
Air Vice-Marshal
Air vice-marshal is a two-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in...
William Ernest Staton CB
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
, DSO
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
& Bar
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
, MC
Military Cross
The 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....
, DFC
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
& Bar
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
(27 August 1898 – 22 July 1983) was a British airman who began his career as a First World War flying ace credited with 26 victories. He was transferred to the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
on its creation and remained in the RAF during the inter-war years. During the Second World War he served in England and pioneering the bombing technique of using pathfinders to mark targets. He then served in the Far East before becoming a Japanese prisoner of war. After the war he returned to Great Britain and the RAF where he reached air rank
Air Officer
An air officer is a Royal Air Force officer of the rank of air commodore or higher. Such officers may be termed "officers of air rank". The term is also used by many Commonwealth nations who have a similar rank structure to the RAF....
and captaining the British Olympic Shooting Team.
Early Service
William Ernest Staton began military service as a soldier in the Artists Rifles, a volunteer battalion popular with graduates of Britain's public schools and universities. About two thirds of the 15,000 men who passed through the battalion in World War I became officers somewhere in the British military. Staton passed from the ranks of the Artists Rifles to a cadet's position in the Royal Flying CorpsRoyal 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 had been commissioned a Temporary Second Lieutenant in the Artists Rifles on 4 May 1917. He became a Flying Officer with effective rank of Second Lieutenant on 21 September 1917. Staton was posted to No. 62 Squadron at the end of flying training early in 1918.
Aerial service in World War I
On 13 March 1918, 12 Bristol F.2B two-seated fighters of 62 Squadron inadvertently engaged at least 30 German fighters southeast of CambraiCambrai
Cambrai is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.Cambrai is the seat of an archdiocese whose jurisdiction was immense during the Middle Ages. The territory of the Bishopric of Cambrai, roughly coinciding with the shire of Brabant, included...
, France. Staton was piloting one of the Bristols with Lieutenant Horace E. Merritt as his observer, and he claimed his first two aerial victories. He then flamed a Fokker Dr.I
Fokker Dr.I
The Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker was a World War I fighter aircraft built by Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. The Dr.I saw widespread service in the spring of 1918...
on 21 March and scored a triple triumph on 26 March to become an ace.
He was commissioned as a Temporary Lieutenant on 1 April on the same day 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...
was incorporated into the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
. After scoring two victories in April and a double on 3 May, he was promoted to Temporary Captain and appointed a flight leader with the squadron. By the time he was awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The 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....
on 22 June 1918 he had 17 claims to his credit. Fifteen of these wins were shared with observer/gunner Lieutenant John Rutherford Gordon
John Rutherford Gordon
John Rutherford Gordon MC was an Australian fighter pilot and ace of World War I.As a sergeant No 1 section, A Coy, 10 Battalion he took part in the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli, Turkey, 25 April 1915. He received his commission while serving at Gallipoli...
making Gordon an ace in his own right.
Staton eventually claimed a total of 26, the final score coming on 24 September 1918. Eight of his last nine victories came with Lieutenant Leslie Mitchell
Leslie Mitchell
Dr Leslie Mitchell is a leading British authority on 18th century history.Mitchell is historian and Emeritus Fellow of University College and a member of the History Faculty at the University of Oxford, England. He has been Dean of the college, appeared in the Univ Revue, and was editor of the...
as Observer/gunner. In all, Staton had four observers fly with him, and all four became aces, though Merritt and Sergeant William Norman Holmes
William Norman Holmes
Sergeant William Norman Holmes was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.-Reference:...
scored most of their victories with other pilots.
Staton's final victory roll comprised (in conjunction with his gunners) two enemy fighters shot down in flames, fourteen more enemy aircraft destroyed, a Pfalz D.XII
Pfalz D.XII
The Pfalz D.XII was a German fighter aircraft built by Pfalz Flugzeugwerke. Designed by Rudolph Gehringer as a successor to the Pfalz D.III, the D.XII entered service in significant numbers near the end of the First World War. It was the last Pfalz aircraft to see widespread service...
captured, and an additional nine enemy planes 'out of control'.
Staton had received a Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
on 21 September 1918; a Bar in lieu of a second award would eventually follow, after the war's end, on 3 December.
He had been wounded on 24 September, and sat out the rest of the war.
He also had a scarred head from a wound inflicted at an officers' mess party and the nickname of "Bull".
Service between the wars
Staton remained in the Royal Air ForceRoyal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
after the war with a permanent commission as a lieutenant on 1 August 1919. He married Norah Carina Workman on 15 November 1919.
On 12 January 1920, he was posted to pilot's duties with 20 Squadron
No. 20 Squadron RAF
No. 20 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was until March 2010, the OCU for the BAE Harrier GR9, and T12, operating from RAF Wittering...
.
On 30 April 1922 he was posted as a supernumerary because of illness and by 16 September 1922 he had recuperated enough to be posted back to flight status.
He was promoted to Flight Lieutenant
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
on 1 January 1925.
In May 1927 Staton was assigned to staff duty at RAF Calshot
RAF Calshot
RAF Calshot was initially a seaplane and flying boat station, and latterly an RAF marine craft maintenance and training unit. It was located at the end of Calshot Spit in Southampton Water, Hampshire, England, at...
in England. In March 1928 he became an instructor.
In January 1931 Staton was serving with No. 205 Squadron. In February 1934 he was posted to the Royal Air Force Depot. Later in 1934 he was assigned as Adjutant and Qualified Flight Instructor to 501 (County of Gloucester) Squadron
No. 501 Squadron RAF
No 501 Squadron was the fourteenth of the twenty-one flying units in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, the volunteer reserve part of the British Royal Air Force. The squadron won seven battle honours, flying Hurricane, Spitfire and Tempest fighter aircraft during World War II, and was one of the most...
, Auxiliary Air Force.
Staton was promoted to Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
in February 1935. On 15 February, he was assigned to Personnel Staff, Headquarters Inland Area. Later that year he became Chief Flight Instructor, Number 3 FTS (Fighter Training Squadron).
In May 1938 he was posted to fly bombers with 76 Squadron
No. 76 Squadron RAF
No. 76 Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Air Force. It was formed during World War I as a home defence fighter squadron and in its second incarnation during World War II flew as a bomber squadron, first as an operational training unit and later as an active bomber squadron...
and in June took command of 10 Squadron
No. 10 Squadron RAF
No. 10 Squadron was a Royal Air Force squadron. The squadron served in a variety of roles over its 90 year history...
. His size prompted the new nickname of "King Kong".
In July 1938 he was promoted to Wing Commander
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
.
Service during World War II
Britain declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939.In February 1940, Staton was awarded a Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
. The DSO is customarily awarded for meritorious or distinguished service in combat. He is known to have flown on bombing raids during this time and been disappointed by the inaccuracy he observed. He attempted to rectify the situation by use of flares for target marking. He also suggested forming a unit dedicated to marking targets; though he would not see it, this suggestion would eventually lead to formation of the Pathfinder Force, later raised as Number 8 Group Bomber Command.
In July 1940 he was appointed to command of Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
Base Leeming. In December 1940 he was promoted to Temporary Group Captain, and to the position of Aide de Camp to the King.
His next assignment was as Senior Air Staff Officer, Headquarters Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
Far East, in July 1941, being promoted in January 1942 to Acting Air Commodore, and in February was assigned as Senior Air Staff Officer, Westgroup, Java. On 10 March 1942 he was captured by the Japanese.
Staton would spend the remainder of the war as a prisoner of the Japanese, and would undergo torture for refusing to disclose information to them. To punish him for his holding out against questioning, Japanese interrogators removed his teeth.
Service following World War II
On 1 November 1945 Staton was appointed to command of Number 46 (Transport) Group. On 1 January 1946, Staton was permanently promoted to Group Captain with a concurrent rank of Temporary Air Commodore, confirmed on 1 July 1947.In 1947 he was appointed as Commandant, Central Bomber Establishment, at RAF Marham
RAF Marham
Royal Air Force Station Marham, more commonly known as RAF Marham, is a Royal Air Force station; a military airbase, near the village of Marham in the English county of Norfolk, East Anglia....
. In the same year, he also became Chairman of the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
Small Arms Association; he would continue in this capacity until 1952. In 1948 he was made Captain of the British Olympic Shooting Team.
On 5 April 1949 he was appointed Air Officer in charge of Administration, Headquarters Technical Training Command, with a promotion to Acting Air Vice Marshal, made permanent on 1 July 1950.
In 1952 he was again Captain of the British Olympic Shooting Team. In November 1952 he retired on the grounds of facilitating promotions among his junior officers.
William Ernest Staton died on 22 July 1983 just before his 95th birthday.
Military Cross
Citation for the Military CrossMilitary Cross
The 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):
"T./2nd Lt. William Ernest Staton, Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion, when on offensive patrol, he, by the skilful handling of his machine and accurate shooting destroyed two enemy aeroplanes and brought down a third out of control. In addition, during the nine days previous to this, he had destroyed five other enemy machines, two of these being triplanes. The services which he has rendered have been exceptionally brilliant, and his skill and determination are deserving of the highest praise."
Supplement to the London Gazette, 22 June 1918 (30761/7423)
Distinguished Flying Cross
Citation for the Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
(DFC):
"Lieut. (T./Capt.) William Ernest Staton, M.C.
This officer has already been awarded the Military Cross for gallantry and devotion to duty. Since this award he has accounted for eleven enemy aeroplanes—nine destroyed and two shot down out of control. He has proved himself a most efficient flight commander and an enterprising leader, setting a very fine example to his squadron."
Supplement to the London Gazette, 21 September 1918 (30913/11255)
Distinguished Flying Cross Bar
"Lieut. (A./Capt.) William Ernest Staton, M.C., D.F.C. (FRANCE)This officer has already been awarded the Military Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Since his last award he has destroyed five enemy machines and driven down one out of control. His example of courage and resource is a fine incentive to the other pilots of his squadron."
Supplement to the London Gazette, 3 December 1918 (31046/14317)
Distinguished Service Order and Bar
Though his award citation for the Distinguished Service OrderDistinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
on 20 February 1940 has not been located, the following award citation for the Bar in lieu of a second award proves he did receive the original DSO:
Citation for the award of the Bar to the Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
"Wing Commander William Ernest STATON, D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C. (04225).
This officer has continued to display outstanding gallantry and leadership in recent air operations. One night in May, 1940, he led an attack on the oil depot at Bremen. The target was very heavily defended and difficult to identify owing to the exceptional number of searchlights but, after worrying and misleading the defences for an hour, he dived and attacked from 1,000 feet to ensure hitting the target. His aircraft was hit by six shells, the last one of which did considerable damage but he succeeded in reaching his home base. Wing Commander Staton organises and leads his squadron on all new tasks with constant courage and his work on his station is magnificent.."
London Gazette – 7 Jun 1940