Francis S. Symondson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francis Stanley Symondson
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|---|---|
| Born | 27 March 1897 Sutton, Surrey, England |
| Died | 1 May 1975 (aged 78) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1914–1919 1921 1939–1943 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Honourable Artillery Company Glamorgan Yeomanry No. 29 Squadron RFC No. 66 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | World War I • Sinai and Palestine campaign • Western Front • Italian Front World War II |
| Awards | Military Cross Silver Medal of Military Valor (Italy) |
Captain Francis Stanley Symondson MC (born March 27, 1897 – died May 1, 1975) was a brave British pilot during World War I. He was known as a "flying ace" because he shot down 13 enemy aircraft and balloons.
Francis Symondson fought in ground battles for over three years. He faced challenges as a pilot early on but became a hero in Italy.
Contents
Early Life and First Flights
Francis Symondson was born in Sutton, Surrey, England. He was one of three sons.
Even before World War I began, he had a chance to fly. In June 1914, he flew in a Bleriot airplane with a pilot named Frank Goodden.
World War I Service
Symondson spent three and a half years fighting on the ground before he joined the Royal Flying Corps. This was the air force of Britain at the time.
He started as a trumpeter in the Honourable Artillery Company. Then, in March 1915, he became a second lieutenant in the London Regiment. He later moved to the Glamorgan Yeomanry.
While serving in Egypt, he was chosen to join the Royal Flying Corps. He became a flying officer in May 1917 and a lieutenant in July.
Flying on the Western Front
In September 1917, Symondson was sent to No. 29 Squadron in France. This area was known as the Western Front.
He had a tough start, crashing three of the squadron's Nieuport planes in just 16 days. Because of this, he was sent back to England for more training.
Becoming an Ace in Italy
After more training, Symondson was sent to Italy. He joined No. 66 Squadron and flew Sopwith Camel planes.
His luck changed in Italy. On March 7, 1918, he achieved his first victory. He set fire to an enemy observation balloon at Chiarano.
This was the start of an amazing series of wins. By August 28, 1918, he had destroyed another balloon and ten enemy aircraft. On September 15, he forced an Austrian-Hungarian Berg D.I plane down, out of control. This was his thirteenth victory!
The very next day, he was awarded the Military Cross. This is a special award for bravery. The award said he showed "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty." It noted that in just two months, he had destroyed five enemy planes and one enemy balloon.
In November 1918, the Italian government also gave him the Silver Medal for Military Valour.
Symondson's victories included:
- One observation balloon set on fire
- Another observation balloon destroyed
- Two Albatros D.V fighter planes shot down in flames
- Seven other enemy fighter planes destroyed
- One enemy reconnaissance plane destroyed
- Another enemy plane forced down
List of Aerial Victories
| No. | Date/Time | Aircraft/ Serial No. |
Opponent | Result | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 March 1918 @ 1015 |
Sopwith Camel (B2445) |
Balloon | Destroyed in flames | Chiarano |
| 2 | 16 March 1918 @ 1200 |
Sopwith Camel (B2445) |
Berg D.I | Destroyed | Col la Parada |
| 3 | 30 March 1918 @ 1315 |
Sopwith Camel (B7353) |
Albatros D.III | Destroyed | Mt. Maletto |
| 4 | 4 April 1918 @ 0915 |
Sopwith Camel (B7353) |
Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Brenta River at Cismon |
| 5 | 17 April 1918 @ 1415–1425 |
Sopwith Camel (B7353) |
Albatros D.III | Destroyed in flames | South of Giacomo |
| 6 | Albatros D.III | Destroyed in flames | |||
| 7 | 6 May 1918 @ 1040–1042 |
Sopwith Camel (B7353) |
Albatros D.III | Destroyed | Motta |
| 8 | Albatros D.III | Destroyed | |||
| 9 | 6 June 1918 @ 1225 |
Sopwith Camel (D1912) |
Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Zangetti |
| 10 | 15 June 1918 @ 0810 |
Sopwith Camel (D9406) |
Albatros D.V | Destroyed | Val d'Assa |
| 11 | 13 August 1918 @ 0935 |
Sopwith Camel (D9390) |
Balloon | Destroyed | West of Conegliano |
| 12 | 28 August 1918 @ 1705 |
Sopwith Camel (D9390) |
Aviatik C | Destroyed | South of Feltre |
| 13 | 15 September 1918 @ 0830 |
Sopwith Camel (E1577) |
Berg D.I | Out of control | North-east of Feltre |
Between the World Wars
After World War I, Symondson left the Royal Air Force in June 1919. He briefly returned for duty in 1921.
In 1924, he joined the Territorial Army. He continued to enjoy flying planes for fun throughout the 1930s.
He flew his Gypsy Moth plane in the King's Cup Race in 1930 and 1931. In July 1931, he even performed amazing aerobatics (stunts in the air) for the Prince of Wales at the opening of Plymouth airport. He continued flying stunts as late as 1938.
World War II Service
When World War II began, Symondson joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on September 1, 1939. He served as a flight lieutenant.
He left this role in June 1943. After that, he worked for the Air Transport Auxiliary until late 1945. This group helped deliver planes during the war.
Francis Stanley Symondson passed away in Bridport, Dorset, on May 1, 1975.
