William Staton

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William Ernest Staton
First World War
Mentioned in Despatches (2)
War Cross
(Czechoslovakia)
Other workADC to the King, Olympics participant

Second World War he served in England and pioneered the bombing technique of using pathfinders to mark targets. He then served in the Far East before becoming a prisoner of war to the Japanese. After the war he returned to Great Britain and the RAF where he reached air rank and twice captained the British Olympic Shooting Team.[1][2]

Early life and education

Staton was born in Tutbury, Staffordshire, a village 5 miles (8.0 km) north of Burton upon Trent, and was educated at Guild Street School and the Science School there.[3]

First World War

Staton began his military service as a private in the Artists Rifles in 1916,[1] a volunteer battalion popular with graduates of Britain's public schools and universities. About two thirds of the 15,000 men who passed through the battalion in World War I became officers somewhere in the British military.[4] Staton passed from the ranks of the Artists Rifles to a cadet's position in the Royal Flying Corps, and was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant (on probation) on 4 May 1917.[5] He was appointed a flying officer with the effective rank of second lieutenant[6] on 21 September 1917.[7] Staton was posted to No. 62 Squadron RFC at the end of flying training early in 1918.[1]

On 13 March 1918, twelve

Bristol F.2b two-seater fighters of No. 62 Squadron inadvertently engaged at least thirty German fighters south-east of Cambrai, France. Staton was piloting one of the Bristols with Lieutenant Horace E. Merritt as his observer, and he claimed his first two aerial victories.[8] He then flamed a Fokker Dr.I on 21 March, and scored a triple triumph on 26 March to become an ace.[2] He was promoted to temporary lieutenant on 1 April[1] on the same day the Royal Flying Corps was merged with the Royal Naval Air Service to form the Royal Air Force. After scoring two victories in April and a double victory on 3 May,[2] he was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain on 18 May.[9] By the time he was awarded the Military Cross on 22 June 1918 he had 17 claims to his credit. Fifteen of these wins were shared with observer/gunner Lieutenant John Rutherford Gordon
making Gordon an ace in his own right.

Staton eventually claimed a total of 26 victories, the last one on 24 September 1918. Eight of his last nine victories came with Lieutenant Leslie Mitchell as observer/gunner. In all, Staton had four observers fly with him, and all four became aces, though Merritt and Sergeant William Norman Holmes scored most of their victories with other pilots. His final victory roll comprised (in conjunction with his gunners) two enemy fighters shot down in flames, fourteen more enemy aircraft destroyed, a Pfalz D.XII captured, and an additional nine enemy aircraft driven down 'out of control'.[10]

Staton received the Distinguished Flying Cross on 21 September 1918; a Bar in lieu of a second award would follow, after the armistice, on 3 December.[2] Staton was wounded in the leg by an explosive bullet during combat east of Cambrai on 24 September 1918. Recovering from this wound, he sat out the rest of the war.[8]

Inter-war career

Staton remained in the RAF after the war, being granted a permanent commission as a lieutenant (

RAF Isle of Grain.[1] He was promoted to flight lieutenant on 1 January 1925.[13] In May 1927 Staton was assigned to staff duty at RAF Calshot.[1] That year his name was brought to the notice of the Air Council for his gallantry in saving an airman from drowning after a flying accident. Though nearly overcome by petrol fumes he repeatedly dived under water to extricate the airman.[14] In March 1929 he became an instructor.[1]

On 17 January 1931 Staton was posted to

Auxiliary Air Force, based at RAF Filton, to fly the Westland Wallace.[17]

Staton was promoted to

wing commander.[22]

Second World War

Britain declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939.

mention in despatches.[27]

On the night of 19/20 March 1940 Staton led an attack on the seaplane base at

flak, and two others slightly damaged.[29] Despite claims of severe damage being inflicted, later photo-reconnaissance showed only minor damage to the base and its installations.[28] On 7 June Staton received a bar to his Distinguished Service Order in recognition of his "outstanding gallantry and leadership in recent air operations", awarded primarily for his part on an attack on an oil depot in Bremen
, which he attacked at low level, despite his aircraft having been hit by six shells and badly damaged.

In July 1940 he was appointed to command of

Siam.[3] On 8 October 1943, while a prisoner, his temporary rank of group captain was made war substantive.[32] Staton was released from captivity in September 1945 after three and a half years as a POW.[33] Later he submitted written evidence to prosecutors at the War Crimes Trial of three Japanese officers from camps in Formosa.[3]

Post-war career

In November 1945 Staton was appointed

Companion of the Order of the Bath.[36] Staton was promoted to air commodore on 1 July 1947,[37] relinquishing his position as Air Aide-de-Camp to the King,[38] and in November was appointed Commandant of the Central Bomber Establishment at RAF Marham. On 5 April 1949 he was appointed Air Officer in Charge of Administration, Headquarters, Technical Training Command,[33] with a promotion to acting air vice marshal,[39] made permanent on 1 July 1950.[40] Staton finally retired from the RAF on 12 November 1952 at his own request, in order to facilitate the promotion of younger officers.[41]

William Ernest Staton died on 22 July 1983, just before his 85th birthday.[1]

Awards and citations

Military Cross

Temporary Second Lieutenant William Ernest Staton, General List and Royal Flying Corps.
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion, when on offensive patrol, he, by the skilful handling of his machine and accurate shooting destroyed two enemy aeroplanes and brought down a third out of control. In addition, during the nine days previous to this, he had destroyed five other enemy machines, two of these being triplanes. The services which he has rendered have been exceptionally brilliant, and his skill and determination are deserving of the highest praise."
— London Gazette, 21 June 1918.[42]

Distinguished Flying Cross

Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) William Ernest Staton, MC.
"This officer has already been awarded the Military Cross for gallantry and devotion to duty. Since this award he has accounted for eleven enemy aeroplanes—nine destroyed and two shot down out of control. He has proved himself a most efficient flight commander and an enterprising leader, setting a very fine example to his squadron."
— London Gazette, 20 September 1918.[43]

Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross

Lieutenant (Acting Captain) William Ernest Staton, MC, DFC.
"This officer has already been awarded the Military Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Since his last award he has destroyed five enemy machines and driven down one out of control. His example of courage and resource is a fine incentive to the other pilots of his squadron."
— London Gazette, 29 November 1918.[44]

Bar to Distinguished Service Order

Wing Commander William Ernest Staton, DSO, MC, DFC. (04225).
"This officer has continued to display outstanding gallantry and leadership in recent air operations. One night in May 1940, he led an attack on the oil depot at Bremen. The target was very heavily defended and difficult to identify owing to the exceptional number of searchlights but, after worrying and misleading the defences for an hour, he dived and attacked from 1,000 feet to ensure hitting the target. His aircraft was hit by six shells, the last one of which did considerable damage but he succeeded in reaching his home base. Wing Commander Staton organises and leads his squadron on all new tasks with constant courage and his work on his station is magnificent."
— London Gazette, 7 June 1940.[45]

Other awards

In addition to the gallantry awards noted above Staton also received:[3]

Personal life

Staton married Norah Carina Workman at Holy Trinity, Northwood, on 15 November 1919.[46] They had two sons. She died in 1969, and he married Jean Patricia Primrose in 1973.[47]

Staton's larger than life personality and physical presence gained him the nickname of "Bull" during the First World War, as well as a prominent scar on his head, the result of an over-boisterous mess party. While commander of No. 10 Squadron during the Second World War he was nicknamed "King Kong" by the pilots under his command,[3] and was dubbed "Crack'Em Staton" by the Daily Express after the attack on Sylt.[28]

A keen marksman, Staton regularly competed in both rifle and pistol shooting competitions[48][49][50] representing the RAF in shooting matches eleven times,[51] and eventually served as Chairman of the RAF Small Arms Association from 1947 until 1952, and was Captain of the British Olympic Pistol Shooting Team in London in 1948[52] and Helsinki in 1952.[53] He remained a keen shooter even into retirement, winning the Air Officers SMG Match at Bisley in 1961.[54]

Staton was also a skilled yachtsman, serving as Commodore of the Emsworth Sailing Club in Hampshire.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Barrass, M. B. "Air Vice Marshal W. E. Staton". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d "William Ernest Staton". The Aerodrome. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Lot 1572". Dix Noonan Webb. 19 September 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  4. ^ "Artist Rifles: William Ernest Staton". Family Relatives.com. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  5. ^ "No. 30183". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 July 1917. p. 7083.
  6. ^ Barrass, M. B. "Glossary". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  7. ^ "No. 30330". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 October 1917. p. 10474.
  8. ^ a b Guttman & Dempsey (2007), pp. 4, 61.
  9. ^ "No. 30714". The London Gazette. 31 May 1918. p. 6383.
  10. ^ Shores, Franks & Guest (1990), p. 350.
  11. ^ "No. 31486". The London Gazette. 1 August 1919. p. 9870.
  12. ^ "No. 20 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  13. ^ "No. 33007". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 1924. pp. 8–9.
  14. ^ a b c d e "Air Aides de Camp". Flight. XXXIX (1673): 59. 16 January 1941. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  15. ^ "Royal Air Force: Appointments". Flight. XXIII (1154): 127. 6 February 1931. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  16. ^ "No. 205 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  17. ^ "Royal Air Force: Appointments". Flight. XXVI (1332): 696. 5 July 1934. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  18. ^ "No. 34130". The London Gazette. 5 February 1935. p. 845.
  19. ^ "Royal Air Force: Appointments". Flight. XXVII (1366): 227. 28 February 1935. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  20. ^ "Royal Air Force: Appointments". Flight. XXIX (1428): 488. 7 May 1936. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  21. ^ "Royal Air Force: Appointments". Flight. XXXIII (1544): 92. 28 July 1938. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  22. ^ "No. 34527". The London Gazette. 1 July 1938. p. 4248.
  23. ^ "World War II in Britain". World War II Reference Library. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  24. ^ "No. 10 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  25. ^ "No. 34795". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 February 1940. p. 1055.
  26. ^ "World War I Military Medals and Decorations – Great Britain – Distinguished Service Order (DSO)". The Aerodrome.com. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  27. ^ "No. 34795". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 February 1940. p. 1056.
  28. ^
    TracesOfWar.com
    . Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  29. ^ "March 1940, RAF attack Sylt after Luftwaffe attack on Scapa Flow". World War II Today. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  30. ^ "No. 35010". The London Gazette. 10 December 1940. p. 6982.
  31. ^ "No. 38216". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 February 1948. p. 1389.
  32. ^ "No. 36201". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 October 1943. p. 4450.
  33. ^ a b c "Royal Air Force: Appointments". Flight. LV (2103): 442. 14 April 1949. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  34. ^ "No. 37423". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 January 1946. p. 348.
  35. ^ "No. 37744". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 September 1946. p. 4904.
  36. ^ "No. 37835". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 1946. p. 4.
  37. ^ "No. 38015". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 July 1947. p. 3255.
  38. ^ "Air Aide-de-Camp". Flight. LII (2018): 235. 28 August 1947. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  39. ^ "No. 38588". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 April 1949. p. 1936.
  40. ^ "No. 38955". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 June 1950. p. 3359.
  41. ^ "No. 39697". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 November 1952. p. 6076.
  42. ^ "No. 30761". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 June 1918. p. 7423.
  43. ^ "No. 30913". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 September 1918. p. 11255.
  44. ^ "No. 31046". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 November 1918. p. 14317.
  45. ^ "No. 34866". The London Gazette. 7 June 1940. p. 3434.
  46. ^ "Personals: Married". Flight. XI (570): 1542. 27 November 1919. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  47. ^ "Air Vice-Marshal W.E. Staton". Obituaries. The Times. London. 26 July 1983.
  48. ^ "Royal Air Force Rifle Association". Flight. XVIII (921): 519. 19 August 1926. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  49. ^ "RAF Rifle Championship". Flight. XIX (967): 468. 7 July 1927. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  50. ^ "Royal Air Force Rifle Association". Flight. XIX (974): 601–602. 25 August 1927. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  51. ^ ""Possibles" for Olympic Games". Flight. LIII (2049): 368. 1 April 1948. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  52. ^ "Olympic Revolver Shooting". Flight. LIII (2048): 342. 25 March 1948. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  53. ^ "R.A.F.S.A.A. Bisley Meeting". Flight. LXI (2265): 757. 20 June 1952. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  54. ^ "RAF at Bisley". Flight. 79 (2728): 876. 22 June 1961. Retrieved 22 June 2016.

Bibliography

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