John C. B. Firth
| John Charles Bradley Firth | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 August 1894 Redbourn, Wiltshire, England |
| Died | 23 August 1931 Blyth, Nottinghamshire, England |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Aviation |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | No. 45 Squadron RFC |
| Awards | Military Cross |
Major John Charles Bradley Firth (8 August 1894 – 23 August 1931) was a British World War I flying ace credited with 11 aerial victories.
Early life
Firth was the younger son of Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Firth of Bishops Sutton, Hants.[1]
World War I
Temporary Lieutenant J. C. B. Firth of the Shropshire Light Infantry was appointed a Flying Officer on 17 April 1917 and transferred to the General List of the Royal Flying Corps.[2][3] Having been assigned to 45 Squadron as a Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter pilot, he scored his first win on 12 July 1917; he helped drive down a German Albatros D.III fighter out of control east of Messines. Ten days later, he would drive another one down over Menin. The squadron then re-equipped with Sopwith Camels; Firth would use this craft for his remaining nine victories.[4]
He began by driving down an Albatros two-seater reconnaissance plane over Passchendaele on 25 September 1917. The next day, he destroyed an Albatros D.III in the same vicinity.[5]
On 8 October 1917, Firth was appointed a Flight Commander, with an accompanying promotion to temporary captain.[6] He set an Albatros D.III aflame on 26 October, to become an ace. On 31 October, he and Peter Carpenter shared in the destruction of a German recon plane. He scored three "out of control" victories during November to end the year 1917 with nine wins.[7] No. 45 Squadron then moved theaters, to Italy.[8]
On the second day of the new year, Firth shared in the destruction of an enemy recon plane east of Conegliano and became a double ace. On 18 February 1918, he was awarded the Military Cross for his heroics.[9] "He has on various occasions, during a period of two months, completely destroyed two enemy planes and shot down out of control seven others. The latter, by reason of the manner in which they were observed to go to earth, were probably all rendered useless for further service. He has set a very fine example as a patrol leader, and has displayed much skill and courage."[10]
Firth would score one more time, driving down an Albatros D.V over Ceggia on 27 March 1918.[11] On 4 September 1918, Firth was promoted to temporary major while posted to the Central Flying School as an instructor.[12][13]
He was also awarded the Italian Bronze Medal of Military Valor on 2 November 1918.[14]
Post World War I
On 14 February 1919, Firth was transferred to the unemployed list of the Royal Air Force.[15] On 29 April 1919, he married a minister's daughter, Ruth Ellen [Eleanor] Hodgson, at Winchester Cathedral.[16]
At the time of Firth's death on 23 August 1931, he was in business as a steel manufacturer and residing at Spiral House, Blyth, Worksop, Nottingham.[17]
Endnotes
- ^ (Flight, 29 May 1919) http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1919/1919%20-%200715.html Retrieved 27 April 2011.
- ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 9 May 1917) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30058/supplements/4444 Retrieved 14 March 2010.
- ^ (Flight, 17 May 1917) http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1917/1917%20-%200490.html?search=J.%20C.%20B.%20Firth Retrieved 16 March 2010.
- ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/firth.php Retrieved 17 March 2011.
- ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/firth.php Retrieved 17 March 2011.
- ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 25 October 1917) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30351/supplements/10988 Retrieved 14 March 2010.
- ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/firth.php Retrieved 17 March 2011.
- ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/services/gbritain/rfc/45.php Retrieved 17 March 2011.
- ^ (Flight, 21 February 1918) http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1918/1918%20-%200202.html?search=J.%20C.%20B.%20Firth Retrieved 14 March 2010.
- ^ (Flight, 25 July 1918) http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1918/1918%20-%200823.html?search=J.%20C.%20B.%20Firth Retrieved 14 March 2010.
- ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/firth.php Retrieved 17 March 2011.
- ^ (The London Gazette, 31 January 1919) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31157/pages/1537 Retrieved 14 March 2010.
- ^ (Flight, 13 February 1919) http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1919/1919%20-%200219.html?search=J.%20C.%20B.%20Firth Retrieved 16 March 2010.
- ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 2 November 1918) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30989/supplements/12978 Retrieved 14 March 2010.
- ^ (The London Gazette, 4 March 1919) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31212/pages/3019; http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31212/pages/3020 Retrieved 14 March 2011.
- ^ (Flight, 29 May 1919) http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1919/1919%20-%200715.html Retrieved 27 April 2011.
- ^ (The London Gazette, 3 November 1931) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/33768/pages/7110 Retrieved 14 March 2011.
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