Edgar O. Amm
Encyclopedia
Major Edgar Oxenham Amm DFC & Bar
(19 August 1898 – 25 March 1953) was a South Africa
n aviator who served in World War I and became a flying ace
; he was credited with ten aerial victories. He returned to service during World War II. Between the wars, and after World War II, he was a farmer and businessman.
Amm married Annie Joyce Peppercorn; they had two daughters and a son, all born in the 1930s. During World War II, Amm returned to service. After the war, he sold his farm and founded the South Coast Aviation Company. From there, he moved on to citrus farming, managing Valencia Estates at Letaba
. His last known occupation was general manager of Tzaneen Co-operative Citrus Co Ltd, Politsi, Tzaneen
, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
fighter afire on 12 August 1918. He amassed two more victories in August, two in September, three in October. On 9 November, he drove down one Fokker D.VII and set another aflame. In turn, he was shot down by a third D.VII, but was unharmed. He spent a very short spell as a prisoner of war; one version of his repatriation has him riding a bicycle into his old unit on 24 November; another says he was in durance vile only 48 hours.
A summary of Amm's victories credits him with seven enemy airplanes and an observation balloon destroyed, and two planes driven down out of control. His opportunity to fly home as part of the Silver Queen
expedition would seem to show that he served well into 1919, and perhaps 1920, as the Queen didn't take off until 4 February 1920.
Lieut. Edgar Oxenham Amm. (FRANCE)
A gallant and dashing airman who has destroyed four enemy machines and a balloon. On 17 September, in company with six other machines, this officer took part in an engagement with seventeen hostile aircraft; eight of these were destroyed, Lieut. Amm accounting for one. Supplement to the London Gazette, 3 December 1918
Awarded a Bar in lieu of a second award of the Distinguished Flying Cross on 3 June 1919.
Awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre on 15 June 1919.
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
(19 August 1898 – 25 March 1953) was a South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n aviator who served in World War I and became a 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...
; he was credited with ten aerial victories. He returned to service during World War II. Between the wars, and after World War II, he was a farmer and businessman.
Personal life
Amm was born to Amy Celia Hill and Edwin John Amm. He was their fourth child. He went from school to the army while still in South Africa, and voyaged to Britain in early 1918. After service in the Royal Air Force, he declined an opportunity to return home on the first flight ever from England to South Africa, citing a promise to his father to never again fly. After he returned home, he farmed.Amm married Annie Joyce Peppercorn; they had two daughters and a son, all born in the 1930s. During World War II, Amm returned to service. After the war, he sold his farm and founded the South Coast Aviation Company. From there, he moved on to citrus farming, managing Valencia Estates at Letaba
Letaba
Letaba is a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family.-References:* *...
. His last known occupation was general manager of Tzaneen Co-operative Citrus Co Ltd, Politsi, Tzaneen
Tzaneen
Tzaneen is a small town situated in the Mopani district of the Limpopo province in South Africa. It is in a fertile region with tropical and subtropical agriculture taking place in a 20,000 km² region...
, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
Military service
Edgar O. Amm served in two World Wars. In the First, he was a lieutenant; in the Second, he was a major.World War I
Amm was seconded from the army to the Royal Air Force. He joined 29 Squadron in July 1918 as a SE.5a pilot. He was almost immediately successful, setting a German Fokker D.VIIFokker D.VII
The Fokker D.VII was a German World War I fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz of the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. Germany produced around 3,300 D.VII aircraft in the summer and autumn of 1918. In service, the D.VII quickly proved itself to be a formidable aircraft...
fighter afire on 12 August 1918. He amassed two more victories in August, two in September, three in October. On 9 November, he drove down one Fokker D.VII and set another aflame. In turn, he was shot down by a third D.VII, but was unharmed. He spent a very short spell as a prisoner of war; one version of his repatriation has him riding a bicycle into his old unit on 24 November; another says he was in durance vile only 48 hours.
A summary of Amm's victories credits him with seven enemy airplanes and an observation balloon destroyed, and two planes driven down out of control. His opportunity to fly home as part of the Silver Queen
Silver Queen
Silver Queen is a 1942 Western film directed by Lloyd Bacon.-Cast:* George Brent - James Kincaid* Priscilla Lane - Coralie Adams* Bruce Cabot - Gerald Forsythe* Lynne Overman - Hector Bailey* Eugene Pallette - Steve Adams...
expedition would seem to show that he served well into 1919, and perhaps 1920, as the Queen didn't take off until 4 February 1920.
World War II
First, he was a flying instructor; then he served in Egypt and the Middle East, as well as Italy.Death
Amm died in a nursing home in Johannesburg on 25 March 1953. His death certificate showed him as ten years younger than his actual age.Honours and awards
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)Lieut. Edgar Oxenham Amm. (FRANCE)
A gallant and dashing airman who has destroyed four enemy machines and a balloon. On 17 September, in company with six other machines, this officer took part in an engagement with seventeen hostile aircraft; eight of these were destroyed, Lieut. Amm accounting for one. Supplement to the London Gazette, 3 December 1918
Awarded a Bar in lieu of a second award of the Distinguished Flying Cross on 3 June 1919.
Awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre on 15 June 1919.