Stanley Wallage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stanley Harry Wallage
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|---|---|
| Born | 24 July 1895 Ipswich, Suffolk, England |
| Died | 17 April 1926 (aged 30) Amman, Jordan |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | c.1917–1919 1921–1926 |
| Rank | Flight lieutenant |
| Unit | Suffolk Regiment No. 22 Squadron RFC/RAF No. 14 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front |
| Awards | Military Cross |
Stanley Harry Wallage (born July 24, 1895 – died April 17, 1926) was a brave British pilot. He was known as a "flying ace" because he shot down ten enemy aircraft during World War I. He continued to fly for the Royal Air Force (RAF) after the war until he died in a flying accident.
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Early Life of Stanley Wallage
Stanley Harry Wallage was born in Ipswich, a town in Suffolk, England. His parents were Christopher and Mary Wallage.
Serving in World War I
Stanley Wallage first joined the Suffolk Regiment as a soldier. On May 3, 1917, he became a temporary officer, a second lieutenant, in the Royal Flying Corps. This was the air force of Britain at the time. He was officially made a flying officer on July 26, 1917.
Becoming a Pilot and Flying Ace
After finishing his pilot training, Stanley joined No. 22 Squadron RFC. He flew a type of plane called a Bristol F.2 Fighter. His first aerial victory, meaning he shot down an enemy plane, happened on February 18, 1918.
He achieved two more victories on March 11. By May, he had six more victories, bringing his total to nine. For his bravery and skill, he received the Military Cross award. This award was announced on September 16, 1918.
His award citation said:
- "For great bravery and dedication during recent battles."
- "He personally destroyed seven enemy planes."
- "He showed a strong spirit of daring and determination."
- "His skill and success as a fighting pilot was a great example to others in his squadron."
On September 26, 1918, Stanley was promoted to temporary captain. He got his tenth and final victory on November 4, 1918. This was just one week before the war ended. After the war, on May 18, 1919, he was placed on a list of unemployed officers.
Stanley Wallage's Air Combat Record
This table shows the ten times Stanley Wallage helped defeat enemy aircraft.
| No. | Date/Time | Aircraft/ Serial No. |
Opponent | Result | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 February 1918 @ 1400 hours |
Bristol F.2 Fighter (C4808) |
German reconnaissance aircraft | Driven down out of control | Seclin, France | Observer/gunner: John Jones |
| 2 | 11 March 1918 @ 1420 hours |
Bristol F.2 Fighter (A7286) |
Albatros D.V fighter | Driven down out of control | Lomme, France | Observer/gunner: John Jones |
| 3 | Driven down out of control | Ligny, France | ||||
| 4 | 8 May 1918 @ 1900 hours |
Bristol F.2 Fighter (C795) |
Pfalz D.III fighter | Destroyed | North of La Bassée, France | Observer/gunner: George Thomson |
| 5 | 13 May 1918 @ 1040–1045 hours |
Bristol F.2 Fighter (C795) |
DFW reconnaissance aircraft | Driven down out of control | La Bassée, France | Observer/gunner: George Thomson |
| 6 | DFW reconnaissance aircraft | Driven down out of control | ||||
| 7 | 22 May 1918 @ 1030 hours |
Bristol F.2 Fighter (C795) |
Albatros D.V fighter | Destroyed | Hancourt, France | Observer/gunner: A. P. Stoyle |
| 8 | Albatros D.V fighter | Driven down out of control | ||||
| 9 | 26 May 1918 @ 1945 hours |
Bristol F.2 Fighter | Albatros D.V fighter | Destroyed | Southeast of Armentières, France | Observer/gunner: A. P. Stoyle |
| 10 | 4 November 1918 @ 1415 hours |
Bristol F.2 Fighter (E2454) |
Pfalz D.XII fighter | Driven down out of control | Northwest of Bavay, France | Observer/gunner: Dennis Waight |
After the War
Stanley Wallage rejoined the RAF on January 21, 1921. He was given the rank of flying officer. On January 1, 1924, he was promoted to flight lieutenant. He was given a permanent position in the RAF on February 4, 1925.
Sadly, on April 17, 1926, Stanley Wallage was serving in No. 14 Squadron. He and another officer, Squadron Leader Harley Alec Tweedie, died. Their plane, an Airco DH.9A, crashed in Amman, which was then part of Transjordan.
