John Stanley Chick
John Stanley Chick | |
---|---|
Born | Pontardawe, Wales | 22 December 1897
Died | 21 January 1960 Colchester, Essex, England | (aged 62)
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | British Army Royal Air Force |
Years of service | 1914–1947 |
Rank | Air Commodore |
Unit | |
Commands held |
|
Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
Awards | Military Cross Air Force Cross |
World War I service
John Stanley Chick began his military career as a pioneer in the Royal Engineers in 1914. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in February 1917 as a Cadet at Denham. He was commissioned a probationary second lieutenant on 3 May 1917.[1] Chick was granted his pilots certificate, No. 4735, on 27 May 1917. In November 1917, he was assigned to No. 11 Squadron.[2] Piloting a two-seater Bristol F.2 Fighter, he scored all his triumphs in the first four and half months of 1918. On 12 March 1918, he drove down out of control a German observation plane and four Fokker Dr.I fighters. All five triumphs were scored on a single sortie.[2] On 1 April 1918, he was promoted to lieutenant. On 15 May, he ended his victory string by setting a German observation plane afire, destroying one Fokker Dr.I and driving another one down, and destroying a Pfalz D.III fighter. That same day, he was appointed flight commander, with the temporary rank of captain.[2]
Service between the wars
On 13 April 1919, as part of the postwar downsizing of the Royal Air Force, Chick gave up his rank of acting-captain. 1 August 1919 saw him appointed
Beginning 19 January 1931, he attended the Royal Air Force Staff College. From there he was appointed a flight commander in
World War II service
He became a temporary group captain as of 1 June 1940. In 1941, Chick was selected to be Officer Commanding RAF Luqa. On 23 April 1942, he was assigned to Middle East Command. A promotion to acting air commodore followed on about 16 November 1942. The following year, on 21 February 1943, he was seconded for Special Duty.[2]
After World War II
John Stanley Chick retired effective 27 December 1947. In his retirement years, he became Civil Defence Officer for Colchester from 1951 through 1957.[2]
Honours and awards
- Military Cross (MC)
- T./2nd Lt. John Stanley Chick, Gen. List and R.F.C.
- For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While leading a patrol of four machines over the enemy's lines he attacked an enemy two-seater machine, which his observer drove down completely out of control. Shortly afterwards the patrol engaged nineteen enemy machines; he dived on to the uppermost machine, and drove it down in a series of spins and side-slips completely out of control. He then attacked two others and brought them down in the same manner, while his observer drove down another out of control. On another occasion his formation, consisting of five machines, attacked twenty-five enemy aeroplanes. He destroyed one of the enemy, and drove down another out of control. He set a magnificent example of courage and skill.[2]
References
- ^ "No. 30074". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 May 1917. p. 4785.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Air Commodore John Stanley Chick (07016)". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ "No. 31616". The London Gazette. 24 October 1919. p. 13033.
- ^ "Royal Air Force: Appointments". Flight. Vol. XV, no. 758. 5 July 1923. p. 375. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ "Royal Air Force: Promotions". Flight. Vol. XXXI, no. 1476. 8 April 1937. p. 355. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
Bibliography
- Guttman, Jon (2007). Bristol F2 Fighter Aces of World War I. Aircraft of the Aces, No 79. illustrated by Harry Dempsey. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-201-1.