Herbert Richardson (RAF officer)

Herbert Brian Richardson
Born (1898-05-27)27 May 1898
Ashford, Kent, England
Died 14 February 1922(1922-02-14) (aged 23)
Cuatro Vientos, Spain
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Royal Air Force
Years of service 1917–1919
1920–1921
Rank Lieutenant
Unit No. 24 Squadron RFC/RAF
Awards Military Cross

Lieutenant Herbert Brian Richardson MC (27 May 1898 – 14 February 1922) was a British World War I flying ace credited with 15 aerial victories.[1]

Military career

Richardson joined the Royal Flying Corps as a cadet, and was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant (on probation) on 21 June 1917.[2] He was confirmed in his rank and appointed a flying officer on 17 September 1917.[3]

Richardson was posted to No. 24 Squadron in northern France to fly the SE.5a single-seat fighter, and between 18 February and 4 April 1918 was credited with nine enemy aircraft destroyed (two shared), and six driven down out of control (one shared).[1]

His award of the Military Cross was gazetted on 21 June 1918, his citation reading:

Temporary Second Lieutenant Herbert Brian Richardson, General List and Royal Flying Corps.
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While on patrol he attacked a formation of eight enemy aeroplanes, one of which he destroyed. On another occasion he engaged two enemy two-seater machines, and destroyed one of them. He has destroyed six enemy machines and driven down five others out of control, and has done valuable work in attacking enemy troops on the ground. He consistently displayed great courage and skill."[4]

Richardson was transferred to the RAF's unemployed list on 10 June 1919,[5] but briefly returned to active service, being granted a short service commission with the rank of flying officer on 23 September 1920,[6] which he resigned on 18 May 1921.[7]

Richardson was killed in a flying accident in Cuatro Vientos, Spain, on 14 February 1922.[1]

List of aerial victories

Combat record[1]
No. Date/Time Aircraft/
Serial No.		 Opponent Result Location Notes
118 February 1918
@ 1430		S.E.5a
(C1057)		Pfalz D.IIIOut of controlEast of St. Quentin
226 February 1918
@ 0840-0900		S.E.5a
(B124)		Fokker Dr.IOut of controlEast of Laon
3Fokker Dr.IDestroyedEast of SamoussyShared with Lieutenants Ian McDonald & Ronald Mark,
and Second Lieutenants James Dawe & W. F. Poulter.
46 March 1918
@ 1055		S.E.5a
(B124)		Fokker Dr.IDestroyedFontaine-Croin
511 March 1918
@ 1315		S.E.5a
(C1070)		Type COut of controlEast of BellengliseShared with Captain Alfred Brown, Lieutenants Ronald Mark
& E. W. Lindeburg, and Second Lieutenant P. J. Nolan.
611 March 1918
@ 1815		S.E.5a
(C1070)		Albatros D.VOut of controlRibemont
715 March 1918
@ 1020		S.E.5a
(B8257)		Rumpler CDestroyedNorth of PremonteShared with Lieutenants Andrew Cowper & Ronald Mark.
816 March 1918
@ 1630		S.E.5a
(B176)		Albatros D.VDestroyedBarisis
917 March 1918
@ 1825		S.E.5a
(D279)		Pfalz D.IIIOut of controlSouth-west of Ramicourt
1021 March 1918
@ 1415-1420		S.E.5a
(D279)		Pfalz D.IIIOut of controlBellicourt
11Pfalz D.IIIDestroyed
12Pfalz D.IIIDestroyed
1322 March 1918
@ 1600-1700		S.E.5a
(D279)		Pfalz D.IIIDestroyedPéronne
1426 March 1918
@ 1430		S.E.5a
(D279)		Type CDestroyedDreslincourt
154 April 1918
@ 1530		S.E.5a
(D279)		Type CDestroyed in flamesWarfusée-Abancourt

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Herbert Brian Richardson". The Aerodrome. 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  2. ↑ "No. 30170". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 July 1917. pp. 6786–6788.
  3. ↑ "No. 30330". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 October 1917. p. 10474.
  4. ↑ "No. 30761". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 June 1918. p. 7421.
  5. ↑ "No. 31467". The London Gazette. 22 July 1919. pp. 9254–9255.
  6. ↑ "No. 32071". The London Gazette. 1 October 1920. p. 9623.
  7. ↑ "No. 32325". The London Gazette. 17 May 1921. p. 3935.
Bibliography
  • Franks, Norman (2007). SE 5/5a Aces of World War I. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-180-9.
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