Fred Everest Banbury
Encyclopedia
Captain Fred Everest Banbury was a Canadian flying ace
during World War I. While flying for the Royal Naval Air Service
, he was credited with 11 official aerial victories.
, Canada. The younger Banbury attended Victoria College
from 1911–12; he then transferred to University College
from 1912–14. In March 1916, he travelled to Newport News, Virginia to enroll in the Curtiss Flying School
. He earned his pilot's certificate with the highest marks ever seen in the school. He then traveled to England to join the RNAS.
F. E. Banbury resigned his commission in a Guards
regiment.
Banbury was posted to 9 Naval Squadron, and scored his first aerial victory on 31 May 1917, when he used a Sopwith Pup
to share in sending a German reconnaissance plane down out of control over Ostend
. The following day, he used the same Pup, serial number N6188, to drive down a Halberstadt
recon plane. Banbury then switched to a Sopwith Camel
. Beginning 25 July 1917, he ran off a string of eight wins that would take him through 23 November. He scored one final time, on 26 March 1918, when he helped capture a German recon two-seater. In summary, Banbury single-handedly destroyed an Albatros D.V
and sent down a German recon plane out of control. The rest of his wins were shared ones, with squadronmates such as John Pinder
, Oliver Redgate
, Stearne Edwards, Roy Brown, Merrill Samuel Taylor, Cedric Edwards
, Francis Mellersh
, John Paynter
, and others.
Banbury was killed in a flying accident on 1 April 1918. His award of the Distinguished Service Cross was gazetted on the 26th.
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...
during World War I. While flying for the Royal Naval Air Service
Royal Naval Air Service
The Royal Naval Air Service or RNAS was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of the First World War, when it merged with the British Army's Royal Flying Corps to form a new service , the Royal Air Force...
, he was credited with 11 official aerial victories.
Early life
Fred Everest Banbury was the son of Susannah B. and Robert B. Banbury of Regina, SaskatchewanRegina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
, Canada. The younger Banbury attended Victoria College
Victoria College
Victoria College is or was the name of several institutions of secondary or higher education, including:* [Victoria College, Chulipuram], Sri Lanka* Victoria College, Alexandria, Egypt* Victoria College in Victoria, Texas...
from 1911–12; he then transferred to University College
University College
University College can refer to several institutions:- Canada :* University College, University of Toronto* University College of the North, The Pas, Manitoba* Booth University College, Winnipeg, Manitoba...
from 1912–14. In March 1916, he travelled to Newport News, Virginia to enroll in the Curtiss Flying School
Curtiss Flying School
left|thumb|A Curtiss Jenny on a training flightThe Curtiss Flying School was started by Glenn Curtiss to compete against the Wright Flying School of the Wright brothers...
. He earned his pilot's certificate with the highest marks ever seen in the school. He then traveled to England to join the RNAS.
World War I
On 28 June 1916 Fred. E. Banbury was commissioned as a temporary Flight Sub-Lieutenant. On 21 April 1917, Second LieutenantSecond Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
F. E. Banbury resigned his commission in a Guards
Brigade of Guards
The Brigade of Guards is a historical elite unit of the British Army, which has existed sporadically since the 17th century....
regiment.
Banbury was posted to 9 Naval Squadron, and scored his first aerial victory on 31 May 1917, when he used a Sopwith Pup
Sopwith Pup
The Sopwith Pup was a British single seater biplane fighter aircraft built by the Sopwith Aviation Company. It entered service with the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service in the autumn of 1916. With pleasant flying characteristics and good maneuverability, the aircraft proved very...
to share in sending a German reconnaissance plane down out of control over Ostend
Ostend
Ostend is a Belgian city and municipality located in the Flemish province of West Flanders. It comprises the boroughs of Mariakerke , Stene and Zandvoorde, and the city of Ostend proper – the largest on the Belgian coast....
. The following day, he used the same Pup, serial number N6188, to drive down a Halberstadt
Halberstadt
Halberstadt is a town in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt and the capital of the district of Harz. It is located on the German Half-Timbered House Road and the Magdeburg–Thale railway....
recon plane. Banbury then switched to a Sopwith Camel
Sopwith Camel
The Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter introduced on the Western Front in 1917. Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company, it had a short-coupled fuselage, heavy, powerful rotary engine, and concentrated fire from twin synchronized machine guns. Though difficult...
. Beginning 25 July 1917, he ran off a string of eight wins that would take him through 23 November. He scored one final time, on 26 March 1918, when he helped capture a German recon two-seater. In summary, Banbury single-handedly destroyed an Albatros D.V
Albatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
and sent down a German recon plane out of control. The rest of his wins were shared ones, with squadronmates such as John Pinder
John Pinder (aviator)
Captain John William Pinder DFC was a World War I flying ace credited with 17 confirmed aerial victories.After the war, Pinder was an aviation pioneer in South America. In August 1920, he was part of a group attempting the first flight between Brazil and Buenos Aires. Pinder teamed with Brazilian...
, Oliver Redgate
Oliver Redgate
Captain Oliver William Redgate was a World War I flying ace credited with 16 aerial victories.-Early life:Oliver William Redgate's parents were Annie Eveline Clarke Redgate and Nottingham cricketeer Oliver Redgate. He had two sisters, Arleene Annie and Ida Eveline.-World War I service:He joined the...
, Stearne Edwards, Roy Brown, Merrill Samuel Taylor, Cedric Edwards
Cedric Edwards
Lieutenant Cedric George Edwards was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.-References:...
, Francis Mellersh
Francis Mellersh (RAF officer)
Air Vice Marshal Sir Francis John Williamson Mellersh KBE, AFC, RAF was a World War I pilot in the Royal Naval Air Service credited with five aerial victories, and a senior Royal Air Force commander during World War II...
, John Paynter
John Paynter (aviator)
Captain John De Camborne Paynter was a World War I Royal Naval Air Service flying ace credited with 10 aerial victories. He earned the Distinguished Service Cross for his valour before being killed in a bombing raid.-Early life:...
, and others.
Banbury was killed in a flying accident on 1 April 1918. His award of the Distinguished Service Cross was gazetted on the 26th.