Frank George Gibbons facts for kids

Flight Lieutenant Frank George Gibbons (born June 13, 1899 – died May 21, 1932) was a brave British pilot. He became a "flying ace" during World War I, meaning he shot down many enemy aircraft. After the war, he continued to serve in the Royal Air Force (RAF) and even became a keen air racer. Sadly, he died in a flying accident during a race.

Frank Gibbons: A World War I Flying Ace

Frank Gibbons joined the Royal Flying Corps (which later became the RAF) in June 1917. He started as a mechanic but soon became a pilot. After his training, he joined No. 22 Squadron RFC. There, he flew the Bristol F.2 Fighter, a two-seater plane.

Frank earned his first aerial victory on May 31, 1918. He quickly became an ace by June 5, achieving five victories in less than a week! By the end of the war, he had a total of fourteen victories. This meant he had either destroyed six German fighter planes or forced eight others to crash out of control. Many different observers flew with him, helping him spot enemy planes.

Frank Gibbons' Post-War RAF Career

After World War I ended, Frank Gibbons stayed in the RAF. In 1919, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery during the war. This is a special award given to members of the armed forces for acts of courage.

He was sent to the Middle East, serving in No. 111 Squadron in Palestine. Later, he returned to England and continued his training to become an instructor. Frank was given a permanent role in the RAF in 1922.

He served in various squadrons, including No. 208 Squadron in Turkey and Egypt. He also spent time in Aden (now part of Yemen). In 1926, he was promoted to flight lieutenant. Frank continued to train and learn new skills, including engineering and navigation. His last posting was with No. 204 Squadron, where he flew large flying boats for coastal patrols.

Frank Gibbons: A Passion for Air Racing

Besides his military career, Frank Gibbons loved air racing. He took part in several popular races during the 1930s.

In 1930, he competed in the King's Cup Air Race, a famous event for pilots. He also flew as a navigator in a competition called the Circuit of Europe.

The next year, in 1931, he raced from London to Newcastle and came in fourth place. He also came second in the King's Cup Air Race that year, missing first place by only three minutes! He even flew with two passengers in another race from London to Cardiff, finishing third.

Sadly, on May 21, 1932, while flying in a race, Frank Gibbons' plane crashed into a tree. He died instantly. It is thought he might have been looking at a map inside the cockpit when the accident happened. The weather was also poor, which might have made flying difficult. Frank Gibbons was 32 years old.