William Frederick James Harvey
Encyclopedia
William Frederick James Harvey, (8 January 1897, Portslade
, Sussex
– 21 July 1972) was a British flying ace
in World War I credited with twenty-six victories. He was the first recipient of the DFC & Bar
and was also awarded the MC
.
until he transferred to the RFC
in December 1916. In December 1917 he was posted as a pilot to No. 22 Squadron
flying Bristol F.2B
fighters. His first air victory, a downed Pfalz D.III
, was recorded March 16, 1918, followed by an Albatros D.V
two days later.
With three more kills in March Harvey established himself as a flying ace
. In May 1918 he was promoted to captain
and commanded 'B' Flight. In the last decade of May Harvey, flying with Lt. George Thomas as his flight observer, downed two observation balloon
s and four German airplanes; on June 20 he downed three enemy airplanes. Shortly after this success Thomas was replaced with Captain Dennis Waight
, who remained Harvey's teammate until the end of campaign. The crew scored 9 kills during the Battle of Amiens in August 1918.
Of his twenty-six victories (comprising 3 balloons, 12 and 2 shared destroyed, and 9 'out of control') credited to Harvey, eighteen were achieved utilising his front gun.
. On leaving the RAF he became a farmer. During the Second World War he was awarded the MBE
for his service. When the war ended he retired to Kent
, writing many aviation-related articles and the history of his old RAF Squadron, No. 22, entitled 'Pi in the Sky'.
Harvey married Mary Gurdon, sister of his squadron mate John Everard Gurdon
, in 1920.
"As a fighting pilot this officer has the real offensive spirit regardless of personal danger. He has destroyed several enemy machines whilst fighting against superior numbers."
"A brilliant fighting pilot, who has proved himself a capable leader in many offensive patrols. During the August operations he personally accounted for seven enemy machines and, in company with another pilot, destroyed an eighth, displaying courage and tenacity of high order."
Portslade
Portslade is the name of an area of the city of Brighton and Hove, England. Portslade Village, the original settlement a mile inland to the north, was built up in the 16th century...
, Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
– 21 July 1972) was a British flying ace
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...
in World War I credited with twenty-six victories. He was the first recipient of the DFC & Bar
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...
and was also awarded 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....
.
Involvement in World War I
Harvey served with the Signal Company of the Royal EngineersRoyal Corps of Signals
The Royal Corps of Signals is one of the combat support arms of the British Army...
until he transferred to the RFC
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...
in December 1916. In December 1917 he was posted as a pilot to No. 22 Squadron
No. 22 Squadron RAF
No. 22 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Sea King HAR.3 and HAR.3A at three stations in the southern United Kingdom. The squadron was originally formed in 1915 as an aerial reconnaissance unit of the Royal Flying Corps serving on the Western Front during First World War...
flying Bristol F.2B
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...
fighters. His first air victory, a downed Pfalz D.III
Pfalz D.III
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gray, Peter and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. London: Putnam, 1962. ISBN 0-93385-271-1.* Grosz, Peter M. Pfalz D.IIIa . Berkhamsted, Herts, UK: Albatros Publications, 1995. ISBN 0-94841-425-1.* Guttman, Jon. Balloon-Busting Aces of World War 1 ...
, was recorded March 16, 1918, followed by 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....
two days later.
With three more kills in March Harvey established himself as a flying ace
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...
. In May 1918 he was promoted to captain
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"...
and commanded 'B' Flight. In the last decade of May Harvey, flying with Lt. George Thomas as his flight observer, downed two observation balloon
Observation balloon
Observation balloons are balloons that are employed as aerial platforms for intelligence gathering and artillery spotting. Their use began during the French Revolutionary Wars, reaching their zenith during World War I, and they continue in limited use today....
s and four German airplanes; on June 20 he downed three enemy airplanes. Shortly after this success Thomas was replaced with Captain Dennis Waight
Dennis Waight
Colonel Dennis Edward Francis Waight was a British army professional infantryman. After being decorated for valor while serving as a fusilier early in World War I, he flew in combat as an aerial observer until war's end...
, who remained Harvey's teammate until the end of campaign. The crew scored 9 kills during the Battle of Amiens in August 1918.
Of his twenty-six victories (comprising 3 balloons, 12 and 2 shared destroyed, and 9 'out of control') credited to Harvey, eighteen were achieved utilising his front gun.
Later Military Service
After the war, Harvey served as an instructor with 33 TD Squadron of the Army of the RhineBritish Army of the Rhine
There have been two formations named British Army of the Rhine . Both were originally occupation forces in Germany, one after the First World War, and the other after the Second World War.-1919–1929:...
. On leaving the RAF he became a farmer. During the Second World War he was awarded the MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for his service. When the war ended he retired to Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, writing many aviation-related articles and the history of his old RAF Squadron, No. 22, entitled 'Pi in the Sky'.
Harvey married Mary Gurdon, sister of his squadron mate John Everard Gurdon
John Everard Gurdon
John Everard Gurdon, DFC & Bar, , was a British flying ace in World War I credited with twenty-eight victories.-Background:Gurdon attended Tonbridge School in Kent...
, in 1920.
Honours and awards
- 3 August 1918 - 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...
- Lt. William Frederick James Harvey:
"As a fighting pilot this officer has the real offensive spirit regardless of personal danger. He has destroyed several enemy machines whilst fighting against superior numbers."
- 3 December 1918 - Bar to 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...
- Lieut. (A./Capt.) William Frederick James Harvey, D.F.C. (FRANCE.)
"A brilliant fighting pilot, who has proved himself a capable leader in many offensive patrols. During the August operations he personally accounted for seven enemy machines and, in company with another pilot, destroyed an eighth, displaying courage and tenacity of high order."
- 10 April 1945 - Member of the Order of the British Empire - Captain (temporary Major) William Frederick James Harvey, D.F.C. (73684), Royal Artillery, Territorial Army.