Edmund Tempest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edmund Roger Tempest
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|
|---|---|
| Born | 30 October 1894 Ackworth, Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 17 December 1921 (aged 27) Baghdad, Iraq |
| Buried |
North Gate War Cemetery, Baghdad
|
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1914–1921 |
| Rank | Flight Lieutenant |
| Unit |
|
| Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front |
| Awards | Military Cross Distinguished Flying Cross |
Flight Lieutenant Edmund Roger Tempest (born October 30, 1894 – died December 17, 1921) was a brave British First World War pilot. He was known as a flying ace because he shot down 17 enemy aircraft during the war.
Contents
Who Was Edmund Tempest?
Edmund Tempest was born at Ackworth Grange, a family estate in Ackworth, Yorkshire. His father, Wilfrid Francis Tempest, came from a well-known family. Edmund went to school at The Oratory School in Edgbaston.
In 1912, Edmund and his brother, Wulstan Joseph Tempest, moved to Canada to become farmers. However, when World War I began, they both returned to England. They wanted to join the army and help their country.
A Hero in the Sky: World War I
Edmund Tempest joined the army on November 30, 1914. He first served in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Soon after, he learned to fly planes. On August 18, 1915, he earned his pilot's license. By November 3, he became a flying officer in the Royal Flying Corps (RFC).
He flew with several squadrons, including No. 6, No. 15, and No. 29 Squadrons. In July 1917, he joined No. 64 Squadron and became a flight commander. This meant he led groups of planes in the sky.
Tempest achieved his first aerial victory on November 30, 1917. He was flying an Airco DH.5 fighter plane. In early 1918, his squadron got new S.E.5a fighter planes. He shot down five enemy aircraft in March alone.
On April 1, 1918, the Royal Flying Corps joined with the Royal Naval Air Service. Together, they formed the Royal Air Force (RAF). Tempest's unit became No. 64 Squadron RAF. He continued to be very successful, shooting down more planes in April, May, June, July, and August. He was awarded the Military Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery.
Edmund had two brothers who also served. His brother, Wilfred Norman Tempest, died in action in 1916. Another brother, Wulstan Joseph Tempest, was also a pilot. He famously shot down a German airship called Zeppelin L.31 in 1916.
His Amazing Victories
Here is a list of the enemy aircraft Edmund Tempest shot down or forced to land:
| No. | Date/Time | Aircraft/ Serial No. |
Opponent | Result | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 November 1917 @ 1520 |
D.H.5 (A9507) |
Albatros D.V | Out of control | North-west of Bourlon Wood | |
| 2 | 8 March 1918 @ 1230 |
S.E.5a | Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Graincourt | |
| 3 | 17 March 1918 @ 1130–1135 |
S.E.5a | Pfalz D.III | Destroyed | Douai | |
| 4 | Pfalz D.III | Out of control | Biache | Shared with Lieutenants J. F. T. Barrett & Charles Bissonette, and Second Lieutenants C. B. Stringer & K. G. P. Hendrie. | ||
| 5 | 18 March 1918 @ 1235 |
S.E.5a | Albatros D.V | Out of control | Cambrai | |
| 6 | 22 March 1918 @ 1745 |
S.E.5a (C5392) |
Pfalz D.III | Destroyed | Pronville | |
| 7 | 2 April 1918 @ 1835 |
S.E.5a (B74) |
Albatros D.V | Destroyed in flames | Ervillers | |
| 8 | 23 April 1918 @ 1835 |
S.E.5a (B74) |
Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Boiry-Notre-Dame | |
| 9 | 3 May 1918 @ 1645 |
S.E.5a (B74) |
Pfalz D.III | Destroyed | Vitry-en-Artois | |
| 10 | 31 May 1918 @ 0625 |
S.E.5a (C1860) |
Albatros D.V | Destroyed | North-west of Steenwerck | |
| 11 | 12 June 1918 @ 1230 |
S.E.5a (B74) |
Albatros C | Destroyed in flames | Festubert | |
| 12 | 20 July 1918 @ 0925 |
S.E.5a | Rumpler C | Destroyed | Drocourt | Shared with Captain Philip Burge and Lieutenant W. R. Henderson. |
| 13 | 10 August 1918 @ 0840 |
S.E.5a (B74) |
Fokker D.VII | Destroyed | Roye | |
| 14 | 11 August 1918 @ 0815 |
S.E.5a (B74) |
Fokker D.VII | Out of control | Roye | Shared with Captains T. St. P. Bunbury, A. F. Buck, & Charles Cudemore, and Lieutenants Thomas Rose & G. L. Wood. |
| 15 | 11 August 1918 @ 1515 |
S.E.5a (B74) |
Fokker D.VII | Destroyed | Roye | |
| 16 | 12 August 1918 @ 0715 |
S.E.5a | Fokker D.VII | Destroyed | Chaulnes | |
| 17 | 14 August 1918 @ 0910 |
S.E.5a | Type C | Out of control | North of Roye | Shared with Lieutenants Thomas Rose & G. L. Wood. |
After the War
After World War I ended, Edmund Tempest stayed in the RAF. He became a permanent captain on August 1, 1919. He was serving as a flight lieutenant in No. 216 Squadron RAF in Iraq.
Sadly, on December 17, 1921, his Airco DH.10 Amiens plane crashed during takeoff in Baghdad. He died from his injuries. Edmund Tempest is buried in the North Gate War Cemetery in Baghdad.
Awards for Bravery
Edmund Tempest received two important awards for his courage and skill:
- Military Cross
- This award was given to him for his outstanding bravery. The official statement said:
- "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He attacked a formation of seven enemy machines, firing on one from a distance of a few feet and destroying it. On another occasion with his patrol he engaged thirteen enemy machines. Though both his guns were out of action, he continued fighting for fifteen minutes in order to enable the rest of his patrol to keep up the fight. Having driven off the enemy, he brought his patrol back safely. He showed splendid courage and initiative."
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- This award recognized his excellent flying and leadership. The official statement said:
- "Since March last this officer has destroyed nine enemy machines. A daring and most capable officer, who never hesitates to engage the enemy. By brilliant leadership he achieves success with the minimum of loss."
