John Inglis Gilmour facts for kids

John Inglis Gilmour (born June 28, 1896 – died February 24, 1928) was a brave British pilot during the First World War. He was known as a 'flying ace' because he shot down many enemy aircraft. In fact, he was the most successful Scottish pilot in the Royal Flying Corps, with an amazing 39 victories!

Gilmour started his military journey in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders army regiment. Later, he joined the Royal Flying Corps, which was the air force at the time. He earned his pilot's wings on March 17, 1916.

He first flew a plane called the Martinsyde Elephant on the Western Front. Even though this plane was a bit clumsy, Gilmour managed to shoot down three German planes with it. He became known as a great leader for bomber planes. Later, in 1917, he started flying a faster Sopwith Camel fighter plane. He became a Flight Commander for No. 65 Squadron.

From December 1916 to July 1918, he achieved 36 more victories. This included an incredible five victories in just one day on July 1, 1918! After these successes, he was promoted to Major. He then went to Italy to lead No. 28 Squadron. After the war, Gilmour worked as an air diplomat in Rome. He also served in the Middle East with No. 216 Squadron.

Early Life and Joining the Army

John Gilmour was born in Helensburgh, Scotland, on June 28, 1896. His father, John James Gilmour, was a tobacco merchant. John went to Loretto School in Musselburgh, Edinburgh. At school, he was good at sports like rugby and fives. He was also part of the Officers' Training Corps, where he held the rank of sergeant.

In December 1914, when he was 18 years old, Gilmour left school. He joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders regiment as a second lieutenant. This was his first step into a military career.

Becoming a Flying Ace

The Martinsyde Elephant plane, like the one Gilmour flew.

Gilmour moved to the Royal Flying Corps in December 1915. He earned his pilot's certificate on March 17, 1916. He learned to fly a Maurice Farman biplane at a military flying school.

He was then assigned to No. 27 Squadron. This squadron was the only one that used the Martinsyde G.100 plane, often called the "Elephant." It got this nickname because it was large and not very graceful. It was a single-seater plane. It was too big and slow to be a good fighter. It also didn't have a rear gunner, which made it vulnerable during bombing missions. The plane had one machine gun on the top wing and another pointing backward from the fuselage.

Despite the plane's challenges, Gilmour achieved three victories while flying the Martinsyde Elephant. His main job was bombing missions. On September 15, 1916, he helped destroy an Albatros D.I plane. On September 24, he destroyed a Fokker Eindekker. Two days later, he forced another one down out of control.

Successes and Awards

On May 26, 1917, Gilmour received the Military Cross (MC). This award recognized his skill as a leader of bombing formations. He was likely still flying the Martinsyde at this time.

Later in 1917, Gilmour joined No. 65 Squadron RAF as a flight commander. After a break in his victories, he started scoring again on December 18, 1917, flying a Sopwith Camel. His two victories that day officially made him a 'flying ace'.

He scored three victories on January 4, 1918, including one plane that caught fire. He got his eighth victory on January 9. After that, he continued to add to his score with single and double victories. He had two in February, one in March, seven in April, eight in May, and four in June. By June 29, his total was 31 victories.

A Day of Five Victories

On July 1, 1918, Gilmour had an amazing day that earned him the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). In just 45 minutes that evening, he achieved five separate victories:

• He set two Fokker D.VII planes on fire.
• He forced another Fokker D.VII down out of control.
• He set an Albatros D.V on fire.
• He forced a Pfalz D.III out of the sky.

The next day, Gilmour destroyed another Pfalz. Two days after that, he destroyed two more Pfalz planes. These were his final victories. In total, he destroyed 1 balloon, captured 1 enemy aircraft, destroyed 24 aircraft (and shared 3 others), and forced 10 aircraft 'out of control'. Eight of the planes he destroyed, along with the balloon, went down in flames.

After these achievements, he was promoted to major. He was sent to Italy to command No. 28 Squadron. However, he did not add any more victories to his record there. His impressive list of victories made him the top ace in 65 Squadron, which had 13 aces in total.

On August 3, 1918, Gilmour received the DSO. On September 16, he was awarded a second Bar to his Military Cross. This meant he had received the Military Cross three times.

After the War

After the First World War, John Gilmour briefly worked as an air attaché in Rome in July 1919. An air attaché is like a diplomat who represents their country's air force. He then moved to the Middle East to join No. 216 Squadron RAF.

John Gilmour passed away in London, England, in February 1928.

Awards and Honours

John Inglis Gilmour received several important awards for his bravery and skill:

Military Cross

This award recognized his courage and dedication during long-distance bombing raids. For example, even when his engine started to fail, he continued to lead his formation. He also brought back very important information.

1st Bar to Military Cross

This award was given for his outstanding bravery when fighting enemy aircraft. In just one week, he crashed four enemy planes. He always attacked any enemy in sight when on patrol. His constant daring and fearlessness were highly praised. By this point, he had destroyed ten enemy machines.

Distinguished Service Order

This award recognized him as an inspiring patrol leader. He had destroyed 23 enemy aircraft and forced eight others 'out of control'. During one patrol, he shot down one enemy biplane in flames and forced another down. Soon after, he and four others attacked about 40 enemy scout planes. He personally destroyed one in the air, forced another out of control, and a third in flames. This meant he successfully took down five enemy machines in a single day!

2nd Bar to Military Cross

This award was for his continued bravery and leadership of offensive patrols. This officer had recently engaged seven enemy machines, destroying five and forcing two out of control. He had done truly splendid service.