Owen Baldwin facts for kids

Captain Owen Morgan Baldwin (21 February 1893 – 12 January 1942) was a brave British pilot during World War I. He was known as a flying ace because he shot down or disabled 16 enemy aircraft. After the war, he became a very successful professional motorcycle racer. For a time, he even held the official world record for motorcycle speed!

Owen Baldwin: A World War I Hero

Before becoming a pilot, Owen Baldwin worked as a mechanical engineer. He joined No. 73 Squadron RAF, a special group in the Royal Air Force. Their job was to support soldiers on the ground by attacking enemy positions from the air.

Top Pilot in His Squadron

Owen Baldwin quickly became a flight leader and the best pilot in his squadron. He was known for being fearless and skilled. His most amazing day was on 15 September 1918. On that single day, he took down five enemy aircraft! He destroyed two German Fokker D.VII planes and one observation plane. He also forced two more D.VIIs to crash out of control.

Owen Baldwin was very good at his job. Most of his victories involved completely destroying enemy planes. Only a few times did he simply force an enemy plane to land or crash without destroying it. He also served in World War II later in his life.

Awards for Bravery

Owen Baldwin received several important awards for his courage and skill as a pilot.

Distinguished Flying Cross

This award is given to pilots who show great bravery and skill in air combat. Owen Baldwin received it for attacking enemy troops and vehicles from low heights. The award mentioned how he once faced twelve enemy planes alone and managed to crash two of them. He also accounted for five other machines, always showing courage and cleverness.

Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross

A "Bar" means he received the Distinguished Flying Cross a second time! This shows he continued to be an outstanding pilot. After his first award, he destroyed six more enemy aircraft and forced two others out of control. In one single day, he took down four planes. Overall, he was credited with destroying thirteen machines and forcing three others out of control.

Motorcycle Racing Champion

After World War I, Owen Baldwin became one of the very first professional motorcycle racers. He loved speed and competition.

Racing at Famous Tracks

He competed twice in the famous Isle of Man TT Senior Race. He didn't finish in 1921 but came 14th in 1922. He became famous riding a powerful Zenith V-twin motorcycle at Brooklands, a famous British race track. He raced in many events, from short single-lap races to long 500-mile races. He also competed in hillclimbing events, where riders race up steep hills. In 1923, he set a record time at the Kop Hill event.

Breaking Speed Records

In 1927, Owen Baldwin won the Brooklands Gold Star Medal. He earned this by completing a lap at an average speed of over 100 miles per hour (about 160 kilometers per hour)! His biggest achievement came in 1928 in France. Riding his Zenith-JAP motorcycle, he became the first person to ride a measured kilometer at an average speed of over 200 kilometers per hour (about 124 miles per hour). This made him the official motorcycle land-speed record holder!

Owen Baldwin also started a company called Burney, Baldwin & Co. Ltd. in 1923. They made high-quality motorcycles, but the company closed in 1927.