Francis Mellersh (RAF officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Francis Mellersh
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Air Commodore Mellersh (left), Air Commander of the Strategic Air Force, in discussion with senior officers in the War Room at Headquarters Strategic Air Force, Eastern Air Command in Calcutta
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| Nickname(s) | Tog |
| Born | 22 September 1898 Esher, Surrey |
| Died | 25 May 1955 (aged 56) Itchenor, Sussex |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Navy (1916–18) Royal Air Force (1918–54) |
| Years of service | 1916–54 |
| Rank | Air vice-marshal |
| Commands held | RAF Regiment (1952–54) AHQ Malaya (1949–51) No. 21 Group (1947–48) No. 91 Group (1946–47) RAF Staff College, Bulstrode Park (1945–46) No. 231 (Bomber) Group (1944) RAF Wattisham (1941–42) |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Air Force Cross Mentioned in Despatches (2) |
Air vice-marshal Sir Francis John Williamson Mellersh, KBE, AFC (born September 22, 1898 – died May 25, 1955) was a brave pilot and a senior leader in the Royal Air Force. He was known as a "flying ace" during the First World War, meaning he shot down five or more enemy planes. Later, he became an important commander in the Royal Air Force during the 1940s and 1950s. Sadly, he passed away in a helicopter accident in 1955.
Contents
A Hero in World War I
Joining the Fight in the Sky
Francis Mellersh joined the Royal Naval Air Service in 1916. This was a part of the British Navy that used aircraft. He trained to become a fighter pilot. In 1917, he was sent to join 9 Naval Squadron.
Flying and Victories
On July 28, 1917, while flying a Sopwith Triplane, he forced an enemy plane called an Aviatik C to land. This was his first victory. He then started flying a different plane, a Sopwith Camel. He achieved more victories on October 15, 1917, and April 12, 1918. His win on April 12 was shared with his squadron friend, Roy Brown.
The Red Baron Dogfight
On April 21, 1918, Mellersh was a flight commander. He was involved in a famous air battle where the legendary German pilot, the Red Baron (whose real name was Manfred von Richthofen), was shot down. During this fight, Mellersh claimed to have destroyed a Fokker Dr.I triplane. Just two days later, he achieved his last aerial victory.
His Final Flight
On May 25, 1955, Sir Francis Mellersh was getting off a helicopter. He was going to visit a yacht club in Itchenor. As the helicopter took off again, one of its spinning blades hit the mast of a yacht. The helicopter crashed, and sadly, the main rotor caused Sir Francis Mellersh's death.
