Reginald Makepeace facts for kids

Lieutenant Reginald Milburn Makepeace MC (27 December 1890 – 28 May 1918) was a brave British pilot during World War I. He was known as a "flying ace" because he shot down 17 enemy aircraft in air battles.

Early Life and Moving to Canada

Reginald Makepeace was born in Darlington, County Durham, England, on December 27, 1890. His father, John P. Makepeace, worked as a printer. In 1905, when Reginald was about 14, his family moved to Canada. They settled in a city called Montreal. There, Reginald worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway, a big train company.

Flying in World War I

Reginald Makepeace joined the Royal Flying Corps on November 17, 1916. This was the air force of Britain at the time. He became a second lieutenant, which is a junior officer rank. On June 8, 1917, he started flying as a pilot with No. 20 Squadron. He flew a type of plane called the Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2d.

First Victories in the Air

Reginald got his first victory on June 29, 1917. His observer, Lieutenant Melville Waddington, helped him. An observer was like a co-pilot who also operated a gun. He scored his second victory just a week later, on July 6. By July 12, he was officially confirmed in his rank.

He continued to be very successful in the FE.2d aircraft. He achieved six more victories, including three in one evening on July 27. His eighth win came on August 17, 1917.

New Planes and More Success

Later, his squadron received new planes called the Bristol F.2 Fighter. Reginald and Lieutenant Waddington were the first in their squadron to score a victory with this new aircraft. They shot down an Albatros D.V plane on September 3. He went on to score seven more victories while flying the Bristol F.2 Fighter. His sixteenth victory was on January 4, 1918. For his seventeenth and final victory, on January 28, 1918, he flew as an observer/gunner for another pilot, Second Lieutenant John Stanley Chick.

Awarded the Military Cross

Reginald Makepeace was recognized for his bravery. He received the Military Cross award on September 26, 1917. This award was officially announced on January 9, 1918.

The award citation said he showed "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty." This means he was very brave and dedicated. It mentioned how he and his gunner shot down three enemy aircraft quickly. They attacked a large group of about twenty enemy planes with great courage.

Tragic End

Sadly, Reginald Makepeace's life ended too soon. On May 28, 1918, he was working as an instructor. He was at the No. 1 School of Aerial Fighting and Gunnery, located at Turnberry Aerodrome. During a flight, the wings of his Bristol F2b fighter plane broke. Reginald and his crewmate, Second Lieutenant Thomas Albert McClure, were both killed in the accident.

Reginald Makepeace is buried at Anfield Cemetery in Liverpool.