John Inglis Gilmour
John Inglis Gilmour | |
|---|---|
| Born | 28 June 1896 Scotland |
| Died | 24 February 1928 (aged 31) First World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order Military Cross & Two Bars Mentioned in dispatches |
John Inglis Gilmour,
Gilmour began his military career in the
Post war, Gilmour was the air attache in Rome, then was posted to No. 216 Squadron in the Middle East.
Early life
Gilmour was born in
Military service
Gilmour transferred the
Nevertheless, before the Elephants were withdrawn from service, Gilmour scored three victories flying one, though his primary duty was bombing. On 15 September 1916, in conjunction with several other pilots, he destroyed an
On 26 May 1917, Gilmour received the Military Cross (MC) for his prowess as a bombing formation leader. At this point, he was almost certainly still flying the Martinsyde. Late in 1917, Gilmour was assigned to No. 65 Squadron RAF as a flight commander.[4] After a fourteen-month gap in his aerial victory list, he scored flying a Sopwith Camel, on 18 December 1917. His two triumphs that day made him an ace. He shot a triple on 4 January 1918, including one down in flames, and followed it up with number eight on 9 January. He then began to run up his score by single and double victories—two in February, one in March, seven in April, eight in May, four in June. By 29 June, his total was 31.[1][5]
On 1 July 1918, Gilmour capped his career with a performance that earned him a Distinguished Service Order (DSO). On that evening, within 45 minutes, he burned two Fokker D.VIIs and knocked another down out of control, set an Albatros D.V afire, and drove a Pfalz D.III out of the air. The times on his combat reports make it clear these were five separate engagements; many times, aces reporting multiple victories scored in a single engagement.[1][5]
Gilmour destroyed a Pfalz the next day, and two the day after, for his final successes. In the end, his victory record showed that he had 1 balloon destroyed, 1 enemy aircraft captured, 24 aircraft destroyed (and 3 shared destroyed) and 10 claimed 'out of control'. Eight of the destroyed craft had gone down in flames, as had the balloon.[5]
He was promoted to major and transferred to Italy to command No. 28 Squadron, but added no further victories to his record. His victory list made him the leading ace of the 13 aces in 65 Squadron.[6]
On 3 August 1918, Gilmour was awarded the DSO; on 16 September, he was gazetted for his second Bar to his MC.[1]
Postwar career
After the war, he had a brief tenure as
John Gilmour died in St James's Street, Westminster, in February 1928. A verdict of suicide while of unsound mind was returned at an inquest.[7]
Gilmour's medals were auctioned on 13 September 2012, and sold for £40,000.[8]
Awards and honours
- Military Cross
- Second Lieutenant (Temporary Lieutenant) John Gilmour, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and RFC.
- For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in carrying out long-distance bomb raids. On one occasion, although his engine began to fail, he continued to lead his formation, and succeeded in bringing back most valuable information.[9]
- 1st Bar to Military Cross
- Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) John Gilmour, MC, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and RAF.
- For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when engaging hostile aircraft. Within a week he crashed to the ground four enemy machines, and at all times, when on patrol, he never hesitated to attack any enemy in sight. His consistent dash and great fearlessness have been worthy of the highest praise. In all he has ten hostile machines to his credit.[10]
- Distinguished Service Order
- Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) John Gilmour, MC (formerly Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders).
- He is a most inspiriting patrol leader who has destroyed twenty-three enemy aircraft, and shot down eight others out of control. While leading an offensive patrol he shot down one enemy biplane in flames and drove down a second. A short time afterwards he, with four others, attacked about forty enemy scouts. He himself destroyed one in the air, drove another out of control and a third in flames, successfully accounting for five enemy machines in one day.[11]
- 2nd Bar to Military Cross
- Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) John Gilmour, DSO, MC, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and RAF.
- For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in his leadership of offensive patrols. This officer has lately successfully engaged seven enemy machines, destroying five and shooting down two out of control. He has done splendid service.[12]
References
- Notes
- ^ a b c d e f "John Inglis Gilmour". The Aerodrome. 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
- ^ "Major John Gilmour DSO MC". Helensburgh Heroes Centre. 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
- ^ "Martinsyde G.100". The Aerodrome. 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
- ^ a b Franks, p. 61.
- ^ a b c Shores, et al., pp. 168–169.
- ^ "65 Squadron". The Aerodrome. 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
- ^ "Retired Officer's Death". The Scotsman. 29 February 1928.
- ^ "Lot 455, 13 September 2012". Dix Noonan Webb. 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
- ^ "No. 30095". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 May 1917. p. 5181.
- ^ "No. 30813". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 July 1918. p. 8758.
- ^ "No. 30827". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 August 1918. p. 9197.
- ^ "No. 30901". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 September 1918. p. 10878.
- Bibliography
- ISBN 978-1-84176-534-1.
- Shores, Christopher F.; ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9.