James Enstone facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Albert James Enstone
Albert Enstone during WWI
Nickname(s)	Jim
Born	(1895-08-29)29 August 1895 Birmingham, England
Died	4 October 1963(1963-10-04) (aged 68) Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England
Buried	Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Navy Royal Air Force
Years of service	1916–1919
Rank	Captain
Unit	No. 4 Squadron RNAS/No. 204 Squadron RAF
Battles/wars	World War I
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Flying Cross
Other work	Interior decorator and local artist

Captain Albert James Enstone DSC, DFC (born August 29, 1895 – died October 4, 1963) was a very skilled British pilot during World War I. He was known as a "flying ace." This means he shot down many enemy aircraft. Some records say he had 13 confirmed victories. Other sources claim he had 15 confirmed victories. He even attacked large German bombers called Gothas. Albert Enstone was a brave pilot who served his country well.

Early Life

Albert James Enstone was born in Birmingham, England. He was the second son of Thomas and Flora Enstone. His family lived in a part of Birmingham called Edgbaston.

World War I Service

Albert Enstone joined the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) on April 3, 1916. He started as a temporary flight sub-lieutenant. He quickly showed great talent for flying. He trained at Cranwell. He was even made an acting flight commander during his training. He officially became a flight sub-lieutenant in November 1916.

He helped start the 4 Naval Squadron in April 1917. This squadron was based near the border of France and Belgium. Their job was to fly patrols and protect British bombing missions. Enstone flew a Sopwith Pup plane. He used it to fight German planes over the English Channel. Between May and June 1917, he destroyed four enemy aircraft. One of these victories was shared with another pilot, Arnold Jacques Chadwick.

His bravery was clear from his second victory on May 9. His squadron fought many German Albatros planes for 25 minutes. Enstone, along with Alexander MacDonald Shook and Langley Frank Willard Smith, helped win this fight.

Later, his squadron got new planes called Sopwith Camels. Enstone used his new plane to shoot down three more German aircraft in July 1917. One of these was a seaplane, which he took down with Chadwick and Ronald M. Keirstead. By the end of 1917, he had achieved 10 victories. He was promoted to temporary flight lieutenant in October 1917. He also received the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery.

Enstone continued to achieve victories in 1918. On April 1, 1918, the RNAS joined with another service to form the Royal Air Force (RAF). Because he was a flight commander, he automatically became a captain in the new RAF. In August 1918, he stopped combat flying. He returned to England. During this time, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Life After World War I

Albert Enstone left active duty on February 17, 1919. He married Elsie Grace Lilienfield on March 16, 1920, in London.

He later started a business with a family member. This business was a general merchant company. It operated in London, Birmingham, and Dublin. However, the partnership ended in 1924. The company was fully dissolved in 1929.

Like many RAF veterans, Enstone might have stayed connected to the RAF Reserves. There was talk of him keeping his rank in 1930.

After the war, Enstone also became an artist. His death certificate even lists his job as "artist." He passed away on October 4, 1963, in Hemel Hempstead, England.

Honours and Awards

Albert James Enstone received two important awards for his service.

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

This award was given to him for being exceptionally brave. He showed great skill and courage while flying with the RNAS. He repeatedly attacked and destroyed enemy aircraft. This happened during May and June 1917, near Dunkirk.

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

He received this award for his continued bravery. He had been flying in active service for 18 months. For 10 of those months, he was a Flight Leader. He destroyed 12 enemy planes. He also forced six more out of control. In one instance, he attacked an enemy gun. This gun was firing on a crashed British plane. He managed to blow up the ammunition next to the gun. This caused a huge explosion with flames reaching almost 300 feet high.

List of Victories

The exact number of victories for Albert James Enstone can vary between different sources. The table below lists his confirmed victories. "u/c" means the victory was unconfirmed.