Gordon Olley

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Gordon Percy Olley
A photo of Flying Officer, Gordon Percy Olley.
Born(1893-04-29)29 April 1893
Harleston, Norfolk, England
Died18 March 1958(1958-03-18) (aged 64)
Wimbledon, London, England
NationalityBritish
Occupation(s)Aviation and Company Director
Known forFirst World War flying ace
AwardsMilitary Medal

Flying Officer Gordon Percy Olley MM (29 April 1893 – 18 March 1958) was a World War I flying ace who later formed his own airline, Olley Air Services.[1] He was the first pilot to fly one million miles in total.[2][3]

Early years

Olley was born in Harleston, Norfolk on 29 April 1893.[1] In the 1901 Census Olley, aged 7, is described as living at 161, Gloucester Road, Bristol with his parents George and Eliza Olley and a brother and sister.[4] His father is described as a Tobacconist and Hairdresser.[4] In the 1911 Census Olley is still living at the same address, now aged 17, and described as an Apprentice in a wholesale clothing warehouse. In 1912 he became a "motor salesman" at London's Selfridges department store.[5]

Military aviator

Olley joined the

Air Mechanic Second Class, going to France with them on 17 June 1915.[1][6] At first he was a despatch rider, and then he became an air observer with No. 1 Squadron.[1]

After training as a pilot he rejoined the squadron in 1917 to fly

General List,[8] and appointed a flying officer in the Royal Flying Corps on 28 January 1918.[9] He transferred to the Royal Air Force on its formation on 1 April 1918 and was promoted to lieutenant.[5]

After the war he was transferred to Unemployed List on 22 June 1919.[10]

His service record states that in addition to his MM he was mentioned in dispatches "for valuable services" during the war.[5] During operations with 1 Squadron he is credited with ten aerial victories, comprising 3 destroyed, 5 ( and 2 shared) 'out of control'.[11]

He rejoined the RAF in 1923 when he was commissioned as a flying officer on probation in Class A of the Reserve of Air Force Officers on 4 December,[12] he was confirmed in that rank on 4 June 1924.[13] He transferred to Class C of the reserve on 4 December 1932,[14] and relinquished the commission on 4 December 1936, and was permitted to retain his rank.[15]

Civil aviator

Olley Air Services De Havilland Dove in 1954

After leaving the Royal Air Force he worked as a pilot for Handley Page Air Transport,

Second World War the airline resumed services from Croydon as both a charter airline and a scheduled service before being sold to Morton Air Services
in 1953.

Olley died in Wimbledon on 18 March 1958.[1] His obituary reported that not one of his 40,000 passengers suffered a casualty.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Gordon Percy Olley". theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 14 November 2009.
  2. ^
    Flightglobal.com
    )    . Flight. Vol. 73, no. 2566. 28 March 1958. p. 433. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
  3. ^ "Captain Gordon P Olley Scholarship in Aviation". University of Tasmania. 5 September 2007. Retrieved 14 November 2009.
  4. ^ a b 1901 Census of Bristol, RG 13/2399, Folio 75, Page 23, Gordon P. Olley, 161, Gloucester Road, Bristol. The National Archives.
  5. ^ a b c d "RAF officers' service records 1918 – 1919—Image details—Olley, Gordon Percy" (fee usually required to view full pdf of original service record). DocumentsOnline. The National Archives. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
  6. ^ "WW1 Campaign Medals—Image details—Medal card of Olley, Gordon P" (fee usually required to view full pdf of original medal index card). DocumentsOnline. The National Archives. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
  7. ^ "No. 30287". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 September 1917. p. 9610.
  8. ^ "No. 30535". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 February 1918. p. 2284.
  9. ^ "No. 30541". The London Gazette (Supplement). 22 February 1918. p. 2442.
  10. ^ "No. 31449". The London Gazette. 11 July 1919. p. 8855.
  11. ^ 'Above the Trenches'; Shores, Franks & Guest, page 294
  12. ^ "No. 32885". The London Gazette. 22 December 1923. p. 8452.
  13. ^ "No. 32947". The London Gazette. 17 June 1924. p. 4747.
  14. ^ "No. 33889". The London Gazette. 6 December 1932. p. 7749.
  15. ^ "No. 34363". The London Gazette. 26 January 1937. p. 561.
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