William Staton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids William Ernest Staton
Staton in the British Second World War propaganda film, Target for Tonight (1941)
Nickname(s)	Bull, King Kong
Born	(1898-08-27)27 August 1898 Tutbury, Staffordshire, England
Died	22 July 1983(1983-07-22) (aged 84) Emsworth, Hampshire, England
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army (1916–18) Royal Air Force (1918–52)
Years of service	1916–1952
Rank	Air Vice Marshal
Unit	Artists Rifles (1916–17) No. 62 Squadron RFC/RAF (1918–19) No. 20 Squadron RAF (1920–22) No. 205 Squadron RAF (1931–34) No. 501 Squadron AAF (1934–35) No. 76 Squadron RAF (1938)
Commands held	Central Bomber Establishment, RAF Marham (1947–49) No. 46 (Transport) Group (1945–47) RAF Leeming (1940–41) No. 10 Squadron RAF (1938–40)
Battles/wars	First World War Western Front Second World War
Awards	Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order & Bar Military Cross Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar Mentioned in Despatches (2) War Cross (Czechoslovakia)
Other work	ADC to the King, Olympics participant

Air Vice Marshal William Ernest Staton (August 27, 1898 – July 22, 1983) was a brave British airman. He started his career in the First World War as a "flying ace," meaning he shot down many enemy aircraft. He was credited with 26 victories!

When the Royal Air Force (RAF) was created in 1918, he joined and stayed with them for many years. During the Second World War, he helped create a new bombing method. This involved using "pathfinders" to mark targets for other bombers. Later, he served in Asia and became a prisoner of war to the Japanese. After the war, he returned to the RAF and even led the British Olympic Shooting Team twice.

Early Life and School

William Staton was born in a village called Tutbury in England. He went to school there, first at Guild Street School and then at the Science School.

First World War Hero

Staton began his military journey in 1916 as a soldier in the Artists Rifles. This group was popular with university students. Many of its members became officers.

He soon joined the Royal Flying Corps, which was the air force at the time. By 1918, he was flying Bristol F.2b two-seater fighter planes with No. 62 Squadron.

Becoming a Flying Ace

On March 13, 1918, Staton and his squadron faced many German fighters. He bravely claimed his first two victories that day. He quickly became an "ace" by shooting down five enemy planes.

On April 1, 1918, the Royal Flying Corps joined with another air service to form the Royal Air Force (RAF). Staton was promoted to lieutenant on the same day. He continued to score victories, becoming a flight commander in May.

By June 1918, he had 17 victories. Many of these were shared with his observer, Lieutenant John Rutherford Gordon. Staton ended the war with a total of 26 victories. He was known for working well with his gunners, and all four of his main observers also became aces.

Wounds and Awards

Staton received the Military Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery. He was wounded in the leg in September 1918, which meant he could not fly for the rest of the war.

Between the Wars

After the First World War, Staton decided to stay in the RAF. He continued to serve in different roles and places.

Service in India and Singapore

In 1920, he was sent to India to fly Bristol F.2 fighters. Later, in 1931, he moved to Singapore. There, he flew large Supermarine Southampton flying boats with No. 205 Squadron.

A Heroic Rescue

In 1927, Staton was praised for his bravery. He saved an airman from drowning after a flying accident. Even though he was almost overcome by dangerous fumes, he kept diving underwater to pull the airman out.

New Nickname

By 1938, Staton was promoted to wing commander. He took command of No. 10 (Bomber) Squadron. Because of his large size, his pilots gave him the nickname "King Kong."

Second World War Service

When Britain declared war on Germany in September 1939, Staton was ready.

Leading the Way

He led the first British air raid on Berlin on October 1, 1939. His planes dropped propaganda leaflets over the city. For his brave service, he received one of the first Distinguished Service Orders (DSO) of the war.

Staton noticed that bombing raids were not very accurate. He suggested using flares to mark targets more clearly. This idea later led to the creation of the "Pathfinder Force," a special unit that marked targets for other bombers.

First Bombs on German Soil

On March 19, 1940, Staton led an attack on a German seaplane base. His aircraft was the first to drop bombs on German land during the war. This was in response to a German attack on a British naval base.

He led his squadron at a low level during an attack on an oil depot in Bremen. Even though his plane was badly damaged by enemy fire, he completed the mission. For his "outstanding gallantry," he received a second award (a Bar) to his Distinguished Service Order.

Prisoner of War

In July 1941, Staton was sent to the Far East. In March 1942, he was captured by the Japanese during the Battle of Java. He spent the rest of the war as a prisoner.

Staton was a very difficult prisoner for the Japanese. He refused to give them information, even when he faced harsh treatment. He was moved to sixteen different prison camps during his three and a half years as a POW. He was finally released in September 1945.

After the War

After the war, Staton returned to the RAF. He continued to rise in rank.

In 1947, he became a Companion of the Order of the Bath, a high honor. He was promoted to Air Vice Marshal in 1950. Staton decided to retire from the RAF in 1952. He did this to help younger officers get promoted.

William Ernest Staton passed away on July 22, 1983, just before his 85th birthday.

Personal Life and Hobbies

Staton married Norah Carina Workman in 1919, and they had two sons. After Norah died in 1969, he married Jean Patricia Primrose in 1973.

Besides "King Kong," Staton had another nickname, "Bull," because of his strong personality. He was also called "Crack'Em Staton" by a newspaper after a famous attack.

A Champion Marksman

Staton was a very skilled shooter. He competed in many rifle and pistol competitions for the RAF. He even served as the Chairman of the RAF Small Arms Association. He was the captain of the British Olympic Pistol Shooting Team in both the 1948 London Olympics and the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. He continued to enjoy shooting even after he retired.

Yachtsman

Staton was also a talented yachtsman. He served as the Commodore of the Emsworth Sailing Club in Hampshire.