John Paynter (RAF officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Paynter
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | 17 May 1898 Southsea, Hampshire, England |
| Died | 6 June 1918 (aged 20) (DOW) Bergues, France |
| Buried |
Dunkirk Town Cemetery, France
(51°01′45″N 2°23′18″E / 51.02917°N 2.38833°E) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Navy Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1916–1918 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | No. 6 Naval Squadron RNAS No. 10 Naval Squadron RNAS No. 9 Naval Squadron RNAS No. 13 Naval Squadron/No. 213 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross |
John De Camborne Paynter, DSC (born May 17, 1898 – died June 6, 1918) was a brave British pilot during the First World War. He was known as a "flying ace" because he shot down 10 enemy aircraft. He flew for the Royal Naval Air Service, which was part of the British Navy's air force. John Paynter received the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery. Sadly, he was killed during a bombing attack.
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Early Life of John Paynter
John Paynter was born in Southsea, a town in Hampshire, England. His birthday was May 17, 1898. His mother's name was Alexandra Laura Paynter.
Serving in the First World War
John Paynter joined the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) in early 1916. This was the air branch of the British Navy. He started as a temporary flight sub-lieutenant. By June 25, 1916, his rank was made permanent.
He flew with several different squadrons. These included No. 6 and No. 10 Naval Squadrons. In April 1917, he was hurt in a flying accident. After he got better, he joined No. 9 Naval Squadron.
It was with No. 9 Naval Squadron that he got his first aerial victory. This happened on October 27, 1917. Later, he moved to No. 13 Naval Squadron. This squadron eventually became No. 213 Squadron RAF. He scored another victory with them on December 5, 1917.
On January 1, 1918, Paynter was promoted to flight lieutenant. He achieved three more victories in early 1918. After a short break, he scored his remaining victories in May and early June 1918. During this time, he was injured twice in air battles.
His Final Days
John Paynter died on June 6, 1918. He was hurt during a German bombing raid. This attack happened at his squadron's airfield in Bergues, France. He is buried in the Dunkirk Town Cemetery in France. There is also a special plaque in his memory at Saint Peter's Church in Somerstown, Portsmouth.
Distinguished Service Cross Award
John Paynter received the Distinguished Service Cross. This award is given for bravery in battle. His award citation showed he was excellent in both air-to-ground attacks and air battles.
The citation said:
For the good work performed by him during a bombing attack on Ostende Seaplane Base on the 3rd March, 1918, carried out in spite of very adverse weather conditions. He has shown great zeal and courage as a fighting pilot, having destroyed several enemy machines, and been twice wounded in aerial combats.
This means he did a great job during a bombing attack on March 3, 1918. He flew even when the weather was very bad. He showed great courage as a pilot. He destroyed several enemy planes and was wounded twice in air fights.
John Paynter's Air Victories
John Paynter was a "flying ace," meaning he achieved five or more aerial victories. Here is a list of the 10 enemy aircraft he helped to defeat. Some victories were shared with other pilots. "Driven down out of control" means the enemy plane was forced to crash or land.
| No. | Date/time | Aircraft | Foe | Result | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 9 Naval Squadron RNAS | ||||||
| 1 | 27 October 1917 10:40 |
Sopwith Camel (B3830) |
Albatros D.V fighter | Driven down out of control | Slijpe, Belgium | Shared with Captain Stearne T. Edwards, Flight Commander Harold Stackard, Flight Lieutenant Fred E. Banbury, and Flight Sub-Lieutenants Francis Mellersh, John P. Hales, C. A. Narbeth, Arthur W. Wood, & Merrill S. Taylor. |
| No. 13 Naval Squadron RNAS | ||||||
| 2 | 5 December 1917 15:05 |
Sopwith Camel (B6391) |
Albatros reconnaissance aircraft | Destroyed | 4 miles northwest of Wenduine | Shared with Flight Sub-Lieutenants John W. Pinder, George C. MacKay, & Maurice L. Cooper |
| 3 | 29 January 1918 14:00 |
Sopwith Camel (B3782) |
Seaplane | Destroyed | 100 yards from the pier at Blankenberge, Belgium | Shared with Flight Commander Leonard H. Slatter, and Flight Sub-Lieutenants John E. Greene, George C. MacKay, & Maurice L. Cooper |
| 4 | 30 January 1918 14:20 |
Sopwith Camel (B3782) |
Albatros reconnaissance aircraft | Destroyed | 2 miles north of Ostend | Shared with Flight Commander Miles Day |
| 5 | 19 February 1918 13:55 |
Sopwith Camel (B3782) |
Seaplane | Destroyed by fire | East of Ostend | Shared with Flight Commander Miles Day, and Flight Sub-Lieutenants J. C. Stovin, E. V. Bell, & G. D. Smith |
| No. 213 Squadron RAF | ||||||
| 6 | 6 May 1918 19:50 |
Sopwith Camel (B7254) |
Albatros D.V fighter | Destroyed | Wenduine, Belgium | |
| 7 | 8 May 1918 19:50 |
Sopwith Camel (B7254) |
Albatros D.V fighter | Destroyed | Wenduine, Belgium | |
| 8 | Albatros D.V fighter | Driven down out of control | ||||
| 9 | 1 June 1918 14:20 |
Sopwith Camel (B7254) |
Pfalz D.III fighter | Driven down out of control | Bruges, Belgium | Shared with Lieutenants G. D. Smith, C. H. Denny, F. L. Cuttle & P. L. Jenner |
| 10 | Pfalz D.III fighter | Driven down out of control | Shared with Lieutenant G. D. Smith | |||
See also
- Aerial victory standards of World War I
- List of World War I aces credited with 10 victories
