Gordon Olley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gordon Percy Olley
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A photo of Flying Officer, Gordon Percy Olley.
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| Born | 29 April 1893 |
| Died | 18 March 1958 (aged 64) |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Aviation and Company Director |
| Known for | First World War flying ace |
| Awards | Military Medal |
Gordon Percy Olley (born April 29, 1893 – died March 18, 1958) was a brave pilot during World War I. He was known as a 'flying ace' because he shot down many enemy planes. After the war, he started his own airline called Olley Air Services. He also made history by becoming the first pilot ever to fly a million miles!
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Gordon Olley's Early Life
Gordon Percy Olley was born in Harleston, Norfolk, England, on April 29, 1893. When he was seven, he lived in Bristol with his parents, George and Eliza, and his siblings. His father worked as a tobacconist and hairdresser.
By the time he was 17, Gordon was an apprentice at a clothing warehouse. In 1912, he moved to London and became a salesman. He sold cars at the famous Selfridges department store.
A Brave Military Pilot
When World War I began in August 1914, Gordon Olley joined the army. He first served with the Queen Victoria's Rifles. Later, he moved to the Royal Fusiliers and became a sergeant.
In 1915, Gordon joined the Royal Flying Corps, which was the air force at the time. He started as an Air Mechanic and went to France. He worked as a messenger and then became an air observer, helping pilots spot things from the sky.
Becoming a Flying Ace
Gordon trained to become a pilot himself. In 1917, he rejoined No. 1 Squadron to fly Nieuport scout planes. These were small, fast planes used for fighting. He showed great bravery and was awarded the Military Medal in September 1917.
He then became an officer, first as a second lieutenant, and later a lieutenant. When the Royal Air Force (RAF) was formed in 1918, he joined it. During the war, Gordon Olley was credited with ten aerial victories. This means he helped shoot down or disable ten enemy aircraft.
After the war ended, he left the RAF in 1919. He was also mentioned in official reports for his valuable service. In 1923, he rejoined the RAF Reserve, keeping his rank as a flying officer until 1936.
A Pioneer in Civil Aviation
After his military service, Gordon Olley became a pilot for several airlines. He flew for Handley Page Air Transport, Imperial Airways, and KLM. He was a very skilled and experienced pilot.
In 1931, Gordon Olley achieved an amazing feat. He became the first pilot in the world to fly one million miles! That's like flying around the Earth 40 times.
Starting His Own Airline
In 1934, Gordon decided to start his own airline. He called it Olley Air Services. It was based at Croydon Airport and first offered charter flights. This meant people could hire a plane for a specific trip.
Over time, Olley Air Services grew and became part of a larger group of airlines. This group included companies like Blackpool & West Coast Air Services. After World War II, his airline continued to operate from Croydon. It offered both charter and regular flights. In 1953, Olley Air Services was sold to Morton Air Services.
Gordon Percy Olley passed away in Wimbledon on March 18, 1958. It was reported that none of his 40,000 passengers ever suffered an accident while flying with him. This shows how safe and skilled he was as a pilot.
