John Theobald Milne facts for kids

Captain John Theobald Milne MC (born August 20, 1895 – died October 24, 1917) was an English fighter pilot during World War I. He was known as a "flying ace." This means he shot down at least five enemy aircraft. John Milne achieved nine aerial victories with his gunners.

Life of a World War I Pilot

John Milne was born in 1895 in Kensington, London. His parents were John and Isabel Milne. He went to school at Abingdon School and then Radley College in Oxfordshire.

Joining the Army

When World War I began in 1914, John Milne joined the army. He became a second lieutenant on September 4, 1914. He served in the 6th Battalion of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. By December 1914, he was promoted to lieutenant. His battalion arrived in France in July 1915.

Becoming a Flying Ace

In 1916, Milne moved to the Royal Flying Corps. This was the air force of the British Army at the time. He became an observer on April 4. After training, he became a flying officer on June 24. On October 1, he was made a flight commander and a temporary captain.

He was sent to France to join No. 48 Squadron RAF. He flew a Bristol F.2 Fighter, which was a two-seater plane.

Milne's Victories

John Milne achieved his first aerial victory on July 6, 1917. He forced an Albatros D.III plane down near Cambrai. The next day, he destroyed an Albatros D.V near Vitry.

On July 12, Milne shot down another D.V over Gistel. He then went home to England for a short break. On July 24, he married Joan Florence Hanmer in Sutton Courtenay.

Soon after, Milne returned to his squadron. He shot down two more D.Vs over Gistel on August 20. The next day, he got another one east of Westkerke. He shot down another over Westkerke on August 25. His last two victories were over Middelkerke on September 9 and Slype on September 28.

Military Cross Award

John Milne received the Military Cross award on September 14, 1917. This award is given for bravery in battle. His award citation praised his courage and leadership.

It said he showed "great determination and courage" in attacking enemy planes. It also mentioned his long and difficult reconnaissance missions. He took good photographs even under heavy fire. The citation highlighted his "admirable spirit of fearlessness and energy."

Final Flight

Around the time he received his award, Milne was wounded. But he soon returned to flying. On October 24, 1917, he and his observer were shot down. This happened near Merkem by a German pilot named Fritz Kieckhäfer.

John Milne has no known grave. He is remembered at the Arras Flying Services Memorial in France. This memorial honors airmen who were lost on the Western Front.

See also

• List of Old Abingdonians