Hugh Claye
Encyclopedia
Captain Hugh Claye was a flying ace
active during World War I. In conjunction with his pilots he was credited with 11 aerial victories ( 4 destroyed, 11 'out of control') while flying as an observer/gunner in Bristol F.2 Fighter
airplanes.
in December 1917. He was paired with Captain Geoffrey Hughes
as his pilot. The pair opened their victory list on 21 February 1918, destroying a German two-seater reconnaissance plane near Armentieres
. They would score 11 victories apiece in their dual career, the last being a Rumpler
driven down out of control on 10 May 1918. Their final tally would be two enemy planes set on fire and destroyed, two more destroyed, and seven driven down 'out of control'. Their most notable success was sharing in the shooting down and wounding of Jasta 11's Lothar von Richthofen
on 13 March, force-landing his Fokker Dr.I
triplane.
of Jasta 34 also staked an unsuccessful claim. Claye sat out the rest of the war as a prisoner of war
, and was repatriated 31 December 1918. He left the RAF on 10 April 1919 and went to live with his wife in Farleyfield. He retained an Honorary Captaincy in the Sherwood Foresters.
's Officers Training Corps
on 25 March 1930. On 30 March 1933, Claye was named as an executor of an estate. He resigned his commission on 24 April 1933. He was awarded the Efficiency Decoration
by the King on 23 September 1933.
in the South Rhodesian Air Force
for the duration of the war. Claye was Chairman of Mobile Carpet Cleaners Ltd when it resolved to liquidate on 15 September 1950.
On 26 January 1954, Claye was named a personal representative for the estate of Wentworth Ernest Claye. On 2 November 1962, he was named a personal representative for the estate of Charles Aked Claye. On 16 November 1967, Claye was again named a personal representative for an estate, this time for Marjorie McInnes Claye.
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...
active during World War I. In conjunction with his pilots he was credited with 11 aerial victories ( 4 destroyed, 11 'out of control') while flying as an observer/gunner in Bristol F.2 Fighter
Bristol F.2 Fighter
The Bristol F.2 Fighter was a British two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft of the First World War flown by the Royal Flying Corps. It is often simply called the Bristol Fighter or popularly the "Brisfit" or "Biff". Despite being a two-seater, the F.2B proved to be an agile aircraft...
airplanes.
Infantry career
Second Lieutenant Hugh Claye was brought into the Sherwood Foresters from the supernumerary list on 1 November 1909. He was promoted to Lieutenant while assigned to the Fifth Battalion, on 22 June 1912. On 21 May 1915, he was promoted to Temporary Captain. His commission was confirmed in the rank of Captain in the Sherwood Foresters on 2 July 1916, with his date of seniority set at 1 June 1916.Aerial victories
Hugh Claye was transferred to No. 62 Squadron of the Royal Flying CorpsRoyal 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...
in December 1917. He was paired with Captain Geoffrey Hughes
Geoffrey Hughes
Geoffrey Hughes, DL is an English actor.As well as a wide range of TV and film appearances, Hughes is best known for a series of supporting roles in popular UK television dramas...
as his pilot. The pair opened their victory list on 21 February 1918, destroying a German two-seater reconnaissance plane near Armentieres
Armentières
Armentières is a commune in the Nord department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region in northern France. It is part of the Urban Community of Lille Métropole, and lies on the Belgian border, northwest of the city of Lille, on the right bank of the river Lys....
. They would score 11 victories apiece in their dual career, the last being a Rumpler
Rumpler
The Rumpler Tropfenwagen was a car developed by Austrian engineer Edmund Rumpler.Rumpler, born in Vienna, was a designer of aircraft when on the 1921's Berlin car show he introduced the Tropfenwagen. It was to be the first streamlined car . The Rumpler had a Cw-value of only 0.28...
driven down out of control on 10 May 1918. Their final tally would be two enemy planes set on fire and destroyed, two more destroyed, and seven driven down 'out of control'. Their most notable success was sharing in the shooting down and wounding of Jasta 11's Lothar von Richthofen
Lothar von Richthofen
Lothar-Siegfried Freiherr von Richthofen was a German First World War fighter ace credited with 40 victories...
on 13 March, force-landing his Fokker Dr.I
Fokker Dr.I
The Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker was a World War I fighter aircraft built by Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. The Dr.I saw widespread service in the spring of 1918...
triplane.
Professional career
He was officially seconded to the RFC's General List on 16 March 1918, just before the RFC morphed into the Royal Air Force. His rank of Captain was confirmed in April, back-dated to 27 January 1918. On 19 May 1918, Claye switched pilots to fly with Lieutenant H. A. Clarke. They were shot down by anti-aircraft fire, though Leutnant August DellingAugust Delling
Leutnant August Delling was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...
of Jasta 34 also staked an unsuccessful claim. Claye sat out the rest of the war as a prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
, and was repatriated 31 December 1918. He left the RAF on 10 April 1919 and went to live with his wife in Farleyfield. He retained an Honorary Captaincy in the Sherwood Foresters.
Inter war years
Claye was commissioned a Captain in the RAF Reserves on 15 July 1922. The next notice of him was his assignment to Cambridge CollegeCambridge College
Cambridge College is a private, non-profit college based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in adult education.It offers distance learning and blended learning programs toward undergraduate and graduate degrees in education, counseling, psychology, management, health care management, and...
's Officers Training Corps
Officers Training Corps
The Officer Training Corps is a part of the British Army which provides military leadership training to students at UK universities...
on 25 March 1930. On 30 March 1933, Claye was named as an executor of an estate. He resigned his commission on 24 April 1933. He was awarded the Efficiency Decoration
Efficiency Decoration
The Efficiency Decoration is a defunct medal of Britain and the Commonwealth awarded for long service in the Territorial Army of the UK, the Indian Volunteer Forces and Colonial Auxiliary Forces....
by the King on 23 September 1933.
World War II and beyond
On 22 August 1940, Hugh Claye was commissioned a Pilot OfficerPilot Officer
Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer...
in the South Rhodesian Air Force
Royal Rhodesian Air Force
The Rhodesian Air Force was the air arm of the British colonial state of Rhodesia. It existed between 1935 and 1980 under various names, and is now the Air Force of Zimbabwe.-History:...
for the duration of the war. Claye was Chairman of Mobile Carpet Cleaners Ltd when it resolved to liquidate on 15 September 1950.
On 26 January 1954, Claye was named a personal representative for the estate of Wentworth Ernest Claye. On 2 November 1962, he was named a personal representative for the estate of Charles Aked Claye. On 16 November 1967, Claye was again named a personal representative for an estate, this time for Marjorie McInnes Claye.