Alfred Shepherd
Encyclopedia
Alfred Seymour Shepherd DSO
, MC
, was an Australia
n flying ace
from World War I
. He was credited with 10 aerial victories.
, while he was studying for a Bachelor of Engineering degree at Sydney University.
Shepherd enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force
at Warwick Farm, Australia, on 8 September 1915, giving his civilian occupation as civil engineer. After service as an officer with the infantry, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
on 23 October 1916.
s on 11 May 1917, and wrapped up his string on 29 June. His total can be summed up as two set afire, two others destroyed, and six driven down out of control.
Shepherd was appointed flight commander on 13 July 1917. One week later, he was shot down and killed in action by one of the Red Baron's wingmen, German ace Alfred Niederhoff.
2nd Lt. Alfred Seymour Shepherd, M.C., R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on numerous occasions when engaged in combat with hostile aircraft. Though surrounded by enemy machines, he continued to fight for nearly an hour with the utmost gallantry and determination against two hostile formations, finally bringing down one of the enemy out of control. Within a month he brought down seven hostile machines completely out of control. (Supplement to the London Gazette, 17 September 1917)
Military Cross (MC)
2nd Lt. Alfred Seymour Shepherd, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While on balloon attack he came under heavy fire from a rocket battery. He attacked this battery from a low altitude, silencing it, and dispersing the gunners. He then returned to the attack on a balloon, and fired all his ammunition, and though his machine was badly hit, crossed the line at 100 feet. (Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 August 1917)
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, MC
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
, was an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
from World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He was credited with 10 aerial victories.
Early life and ground service
Alfred Seymour Shepherd was born to Emma Montgomery and James Shepherd on 13 April 1893. He was the first son and the middle child of three siblings. His father died when young Alfred was about 15 years old. Shepherd went on to serve four years in the Sydney University ScoutsSydney University Regiment
Sydney University Regiment is an officer training regiment of the Australian Army Reserve. It can trace its lineage back to 1900 when the University Volunteer Rifle Corps was raised as a unit of the colonial New South Wales Defence Force. Over time this unit has undergone a number of name and role...
, while he was studying for a Bachelor of Engineering degree at Sydney University.
Shepherd enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force
Australian Imperial Force
The Australian Imperial Force was the name given to all-volunteer Australian Army forces dispatched to fight overseas during World War I and World War II.* First Australian Imperial Force * Second Australian Imperial Force...
at Warwick Farm, Australia, on 8 September 1915, giving his civilian occupation as civil engineer. After service as an officer with the infantry, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
on 23 October 1916.
Aerial service
He was posted to 29 Squadron as a Nieuport 23 fighter pilot on 25 April 1917. He scored his first of his ten wins over German Albatros D.IIIAlbatros D.III
The Albatros D.III was a biplane fighter aircraft used by the Imperial German Army Air Service and the Austro-Hungarian Air Service during World War I. The D.III was flown by many top German aces, including Manfred von Richthofen, Ernst Udet, Erich Löwenhardt, Kurt Wolff, and Karl Emil Schäfer...
s on 11 May 1917, and wrapped up his string on 29 June. His total can be summed up as two set afire, two others destroyed, and six driven down out of control.
Shepherd was appointed flight commander on 13 July 1917. One week later, he was shot down and killed in action by one of the Red Baron's wingmen, German ace Alfred Niederhoff.
Honours and awards
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)2nd Lt. Alfred Seymour Shepherd, M.C., R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on numerous occasions when engaged in combat with hostile aircraft. Though surrounded by enemy machines, he continued to fight for nearly an hour with the utmost gallantry and determination against two hostile formations, finally bringing down one of the enemy out of control. Within a month he brought down seven hostile machines completely out of control. (Supplement to the London Gazette, 17 September 1917)
Military Cross (MC)
2nd Lt. Alfred Seymour Shepherd, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While on balloon attack he came under heavy fire from a rocket battery. He attacked this battery from a low altitude, silencing it, and dispersing the gunners. He then returned to the attack on a balloon, and fired all his ammunition, and though his machine was badly hit, crossed the line at 100 feet. (Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 August 1917)