William Norman Holmes facts for kids

Sergeant William Norman Holmes was born in 1896 in Selby, England. He was a brave soldier who served in World War I. During the war, he became known as a "flying ace."

A flying ace is a pilot or aircrew member who has shot down five or more enemy aircraft. William Norman Holmes was officially recognized for shooting down eight enemy planes. His date of death is not known.

Who Was William Norman Holmes?

William Norman Holmes was a soldier in the Royal Air Force (RAF). He served in a special unit called No. 62 Squadron RAF. His job was an observer/gunner. This meant he flew in a plane and helped spot enemy aircraft. He also used a machine gun to shoot at them.

Flying in the Bristol Fighter

Sergeant Holmes flew in a type of airplane called the Bristol F.2b fighter. This was a two-seater plane. One person flew the plane, and the other, like Holmes, was the observer and gunner. They worked together as a team.

His Aerial Victories

Between March and July 1918, William Norman Holmes helped shoot down eight enemy aircraft. These victories happened during air battles. The planes he helped defeat were:

• One Fokker D.VII
• Three Fokker Dr.I (a famous German plane)
• Four Albatros D.V

He flew with different pilots for these missions. For his first three victories, his pilot was Second Lieutenant S. W. Symons. For the next two, he flew with Sergeant Frank Johnson. His last three victories were with Captain Thomas L. Purdom, Lieutenant Douglas Savage, and Captain William Ernest Staton.

Military Medal Award

William Norman Holmes was recognized for his bravery and skill. On June 12, 1918, he received the Military Medal. This award is given to soldiers for acts of bravery during battle. It shows how important his actions were during World War I.