Noel Webb (RFC officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Noel William Ward Webb
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Noel William Ward Webb
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| Born | 12 December 1896 Margate, Kent, England |
| Died | 16 August 1917 (aged 20) ☠ Vicinity of Polygon Wood, France |
| Memorial |
Arras Flying Services Memorial, Pas de Calais, France
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| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army |
| Years of service | 1915–1917 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Honourable Artillery Company No. 25 Squadron RFC No. 70 Squadron RFC |
| Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front |
| Awards | Military Cross & Bar |
Captain Noel William Ward Webb (born December 12, 1896 – died August 16, 1917) was a brave British pilot during World War I. He was known as a 'flying ace' because he shot down fourteen enemy aircraft. He even defeated another famous German pilot, Otto Brauneck, in a dogfight.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
Noel William Webb was the youngest son of William Trego Webb and Isabel Mary. He grew up in Kensington, London. He went to St. Paul's School, where he was a good rugby player. His older sister, Phillis Emily Cunnington, became a doctor and writer.
Becoming a Pilot in World War I
Noel Webb started his military career as a soldier in the Honourable Artillery Company. Then, on March 10, 1916, he joined the Royal Flying Corps as a second lieutenant. This was the air force of Britain at the time.
After finishing his pilot training, he became a flying officer on July 3, 1916. The very next day, he was sent to France to join No. 25 Squadron. He flew a Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b, which was a two-seater biplane. On July 19, he shot down a Fokker Eindekker, which was a very advanced German plane. This was one of the first times a British pilot flying an F.E.2b defeated a plane with a special "synchronization gear" that allowed its machine gun to fire through the propeller.
Over the next two months, Noel became one of the few "aces" (pilots with five or more victories) while flying the F.E.2b. His fifth victory was on September 15, when he destroyed another Fokker Eindekker. One of his observer gunners during these flights was Leslie Court.
In September, Noel had to go home because he was unwell. On October 4, he was promoted to captain and became a flight commander. He then worked as an instructor in England, teaching new pilots. He even commanded a squadron for a while. On January 1, 1917, he received the Military Cross for his bravery.
Return to Combat and Final Flights
On June 21, 1917, Noel was sent back to the front lines. He joined No. 70 Squadron and began flying the new Sopwith Camel aircraft. This plane was much faster and more agile.
On July 12, while testing a new Camel, he became the first pilot to score a victory in this type of plane. He wounded the crew of a German two-seater plane, forcing them to land on a British airfield. The German crew was captured.
Just five days later, on July 17, he shot down two Albatros D.V planes. In one of these dogfights, he wounded a famous German pilot named Karl Meyer. On July 26, he destroyed another Albatros D.V, killing the German pilot, Otto Brauneck. Noel scored two more victories on July 28. His last three victories happened on August 13, 1917.
Three days later, on August 16, near Polygon Wood, Noel was seen diving away from his patrol to attack two German aircraft. Sadly, he was shot down by a famous German ace named Werner Voss.
Noel William Ward Webb has no known grave. He is remembered at the Arras Flying Services Memorial in France. He is also honored on the War Memorial in Dunwich, Suffolk, alongside his brother, Lieutenant Paul Frederic Hobson Webb. Paul was killed in action on July 7, 1918, while serving in No. 27 Squadron RAF.
Noel Webb's Air Combat Victories
| No. | Date/Time | Aircraft/ Serial No. |
Opponent | Result | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 25 Squadron RFC | ||||||
| 1 | 19 July 1916 @ 0645 |
F.E.2b (5245) |
Fokker E | Destroyed | East of Provin | Observer: Second Lieutenant I. A. Mann. |
| 2 | 9 August 1916 @ 1215 |
F.E.2b (4839) |
Albatros C | Forced to land | Beaumont | Observer: Lieutenant C. S. Workman. |
| 3 | 7 September 1916 @ 1750 |
F.E.2b (7003) |
Fokker E | Out of control | Pont-à-Vendin | Observer: Corporal H. Brown. Shared with Captains Alwyne Loyd & C. H. Dixon, Second Lieutenant C. S. Workman, and Air Mechanic M. J. H. Booth. |
| 4 | 9 September 1916 @ 1600 |
F.E.2b (6993) |
C | Destroyed | Pont-à-Vendin | Observer: Sergeant Leslie Court. |
| 5 | 15 September 1916 @ 1720 |
F.E.2b (4841) |
Fokker E | Destroyed | Fresnoy | Observer: Lieutenant C. S. Workman. |
| No. 70 Squadron RFC | ||||||
| 6 | 12 July 1917 @ 1215 |
Sopwith Camel (B3756) |
Albatros C.X | Captured | Bellevue | From Flieger-Abteilung 18. Pilot: Leutnant Johannes Böhm (DOW). Observer: Leutnant Johannes Wollenhaupt (POW). |
| 7 | 17 July 1917 @ 2000–2055 |
Sopwith Camel (B3756) |
Albatros D.V | Out of control | South of Gheluvelt | |
| 8 | Albatros D.V | Out of control | ||||
| 9 | 26 July 1917 @ 1930 |
Sopwith Camel (B3756) |
Albatros D.V | Destroyed | East of Zonnebeke | Leutnant Otto Brauneck ☠. |
| 10 | 28 July 1917 @ 1940–1950 |
Sopwith Camel (B3756) |
Albatros D.III | Destroyed | Roulers | |
| 11 | Albatros D.III | Out of control | East of Polygon Wood | |||
| 12 | 13 August 1917 @ 1930–1945 |
Sopwith Camel (B3756) |
DFW C | Out of control | North-east of Diksmuide | |
| 13 | DFW C | Destroyed | East of Diksmuide | |||
| 14 | DFW C | Out of control | North-east of Diksmuide | Shared with Captain A. R. Hudson. | ||
Awards and Recognition
Noel William Ward Webb received the Military Cross twice for his outstanding bravery.
Military Cross
He was first awarded the Military Cross on January 1, 1917.
Bar to Military Cross
He received a "Bar" to his Military Cross, which means he earned the award a second time. The award was given for his "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in aerial combats." This means he showed great courage and dedication in air battles. He destroyed three enemy planes and forced four others to crash out of control. His brave spirit inspired other pilots in his group to successfully attack enemy formations, even when the enemy had many more planes than they did.
