Sydney A. Oades facts for kids

Sydney Arthur Oades (born September 27, 1890 – died January 13, 1961) was a brave British pilot during World War I. He was known as a flying ace because he shot down 11 enemy aircraft. After the war, he briefly returned to serve in World War II, but had to stop due to health problems.

Sydney Oades: A World War I Flying Ace

Sydney Oades joined the Royal Engineers on September 14, 1915, working as a soldier who built things. Later, he moved to the Royal Flying Corps, which was the air force at the time. In May 1917, he became an officer, a second lieutenant.

Flying High with No. 22 Squadron

By late 1917, Sydney Oades became a pilot with No. 22 Squadron. He flew a Bristol F.2 Fighter, a two-seater plane where one person flew and the other operated a gun.

On October 27, he and his observer (the person with the gun) forced a German Rumpler plane to crash. This was his first victory!

Teamwork in the Skies

Sydney Oades often worked with different observers to achieve his victories.

• With John Jones, he destroyed two German planes on December 5 and 6.
• With another observer, he shot down an Albatros D.V plane near Roulers, Belgium, on January 6, 1918.

Becoming an Ace with Stanton Bunting

Sydney Oades then teamed up with Stanton Bunting. Together, they became a very successful team.

• On January 30, 1918, they forced down a German plane, making Oades a "flying ace" (meaning he had five or more victories).
• They destroyed an Albatros D.V on February 17 and forced another one down the next day.
• On February 26, they destroyed two more Albatros D.V planes in separate fights.
• On March 5, 1918, they destroyed two more German aircraft. Both Oades and Bunting were injured in this fight.

By this time, Stanton Bunting also became a flying ace. Sydney Oades received the Military Cross in April for his amazing bravery and skill. He was injured in a plane crash on March 13, 1918, and did not achieve any more victories after that.

After World War I

After World War I ended, Sydney Oades left the Royal Air Force (which the Royal Flying Corps became) on April 11, 1919. He briefly returned to duty as a flying officer between April and June 1921.

World War II Service and Later Life

Sydney Oades joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on July 22, 1940, at the start of World War II. However, he had to leave the service on December 12, 1941, because of health problems.

After his military career, he worked as a retail costumier, which means he sold or rented costumes. Sydney Arthur Oades passed away on January 13, 1961, in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey.

Awards and Recognition

Sydney Oades was awarded the Military Cross for his outstanding bravery. The award citation praised his "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty." It mentioned how he had forced down or destroyed many enemy planes and always showed "magnificent dash, gallantry, and determination."