Owen Scholte facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Owen John Frederick Scholte
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| Born | 22 June 1896 St. John's Wood, London, England |
| Died | 30 July 1918 (aged 22) Abbeville, France |
| Buried | (50°08′01″N 1°56′32″E / 50.13361°N 1.94222°E) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1915–1918 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | |
| Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front |
| Awards | Military Cross |
Captain Owen John Frederick Scholte (born June 22, 1896 – died July 30, 1918) was a brave British pilot during the First World War. He was known as a "flying ace" because he shot down eight enemy aircraft. Sadly, he died in an accident before the war ended. He was awarded the Military Cross for his courage.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
Owen Scholte was born in St. John's Wood, a part of London, England. His father, Frederick Petrus Scholte, was a tailor from the Netherlands. Owen was the second son in his family. He went to Mill Hill School in London from 1909 to 1912.
Joining the Military
Owen Scholte joined the army on March 20, 1915. He started as a temporary second lieutenant in the infantry. This is a junior officer rank. He served with the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment.
On June 1, 1916, he was promoted to lieutenant. Soon after, on June 5, he joined the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). The RFC was the air force of the British Army at that time. He became a flying officer, ready to pilot aircraft.
Becoming a Flying Ace
Scholte first flew with No. 18 and No. 51 Squadrons. Later, he moved to No. 48 Squadron. Here, he flew the Bristol F.2 Fighter, which was a two-seater plane. This meant it had a pilot and an observer/gunner.
His first air victories happened on May 2, 1917. He and his gunner, Air Mechanic 2nd Class F. W. Dame, shot down two Albatros D.III planes. These were German fighter planes. Over the next few months, he continued to achieve victories. He worked with different gunners, like Second Lieutenant Alexander Merchant and Lieutenant Alan Light. They drove down or destroyed several more enemy planes. By September 1917, he had achieved six victories.
Awarded for Bravery
Owen Scholte was given the Military Cross for his outstanding bravery. This award was officially announced on September 14, 1917. The award recognized his "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty."
His citation mentioned his skill in finding enemy aircraft. He would attack them with great determination. His sharp eyesight and brave spirit helped stop enemy reconnaissance missions. He often forced enemy planes to crash or lose control.
Joining the Royal Air Force
On April 1, 1918, a big change happened. The Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service joined together. They formed a new, single air force called the Royal Air Force (RAF).
Soon after, Scholte moved to No. 60 Squadron. Here, he flew the S.E.5a, a fast single-seat fighter plane. On May 4, 1918, he became a flight commander. This meant he led a group of planes. He also gained the rank of acting-captain. In May 1918, he achieved his final two victories. He sent enemy reconnaissance planes down in flames. This brought his total victories to eight, making him a true flying ace.
His Final Days
On July 30, 1918, Owen Scholte was a passenger in a car. He was returning from a party. The car was driven by Major Cyril Crowe, an old school friend. The car crashed into a tree in Abbeville, France. Sadly, Owen Scholte and another passenger, Major Cyril E. Foggin, were killed.
Owen Scholte is buried in the Saint-Riquier British Cemetery in France. He is also remembered at Hampstead Cemetery in London, alongside his brother.
