Charles Woollven facts for kids

Group Captain Charles Henry Chapman Woollven OBE, MC (born June 28, 1897 – died January 7, 1971) was a British soldier who started his military career during World War I. He became a famous pilot, known as a flying ace, by winning five air battles while flying a two-seater FE.2b plane.

After the war, he stayed in the Royal Air Force (RAF). He kept moving up in rank and taking on bigger jobs throughout the 1920s and 1930s. By 1938, just before World War II began, he was a wing commander. He was promoted to the rank of group captain by the end of World War II and retired from the military in 1947.

Early Life and Family

Charles Henry Chapman Woollven was born on June 28, 1897. His birthplace was either Plymouth or Folkestone, both in England.

Later, on August 6, 1925, he married Ariel Gwynnedd Alice Jeffery in London.

World War I Adventures

Charles Woollven began his military journey on January 26, 1916. He became a second lieutenant in the Devonshire Regiment after training at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Soon after, he joined the Royal Flying Corps to learn how to fly. He earned his pilot's license on March 31 and became a flying officer on May 27.

In June 1916, he joined No. 25 Squadron RFC. Here, he flew a special two-seater plane called an F.E.2b. He scored his first victory on August 8, when he forced an enemy Roland C.II plane to crash out of control.

Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2, with gunner and pilot.

Woollven was recognized for his bravery and received the Military Cross award on November 14, 1916. The award citation said:

"For outstanding bravery in action. He flew down very low, attacked a train, causing many injuries, and showed great courage and determination throughout."

He quickly achieved more air victories. He destroyed two Albatros D.I fighter planes on November 16 and November 23. On December 31, 1916, he was promoted to flight commander with the temporary rank of captain. He continued to fight bravely, forcing an Albatros D.II fighter to crash on March 17, 1917. On May 1, he destroyed an Albatros D.III, which was his fifth victory. This made him a "flying ace." On July 26, 1917, Woollven was promoted to lieutenant.

Woollven's Air Victories

Here is a list of the enemy planes Charles Woollven helped to defeat:

Between the World Wars

After World War I, on January 20, 1919, Woollven moved to the RAF's Administrative Branch. He was given a permanent position as a captain in the RAF on August 1, 1919. He served overseas for a while before returning to England in October 1923. He then worked at the Inland Area Aircraft Depot at RAF Henlow starting in January 1924.

On January 1, 1931, he was promoted to squadron leader. In April, he was sent to No. 4 Flying Training School in RAF Abu Sueir, Egypt, where he stayed until October 1933. After a short break, he returned to duty in June 1934. He took on administrative roles at RAF Digby and later at the RAF Record Office at RAF West Ruislip. On November 29, 1938, he was promoted to wing commander.

World War II and Retirement

During World War II, Charles Woollven continued to serve. On June 11, 1942, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire as part of the King's Birthday Honours. At this time, he was an acting group captain. He was officially promoted to the temporary rank of group captain on January 1, 1943.

Charles Henry Chapman Woollven retired from the Royal Air Force on September 15, 1947, keeping his rank of group captain. He passed away on January 7, 1971.

Images for kids

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  A Roland C.II was Woollven's first victim.

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  An Albatros D.III German fighter was Woollven's final victim.