Keith Muspratt
Encyclopedia
Keith Knox Muspratt MC
, born 22 December 1897 in Bournemouth
, England
and educated at Sherborne School
, was a First World War flying ace in the Royal Flying Corps
with eight victories to his name.
Keith Muspratt was a doctor's son from Bournemouth, Hampshire.
Learning to fly while still at Sherborne School
, Muspratt joined the RFC and became an instructor before joining No. 56 Squadron in May 1917. During his service he was credited with eight victories ( 1 captured, 4 destroyed, 1 and 2 shared 'out of control'). His first claim was flying Sopwith-built SE.5 No. A4861, against an Albatros D.III
that he helped to force down out of control on 24 May 1917. He added a second out-of-control victory on the 28th, while flying SE.5 No. A8913. On 17 July, he shared another OOC victory flying A8913.
He switched to SE.5 No. 8944, and scored decisively three times in August. Then, on 23 September, he participated in one of the epic air battles of World War I. Werner Voss
fought patrols from No. 60 Squadron RFC, and B Flight of 56 Squadron, included Muspratt. During Voss's single-handed battle, he damaged two No. 60 squadron aircraft such that they withdrew from the fight. He also holed the radiator of Muspratt's plane and riddled the wings of another 56 aircraft. Voss finally succumbed to bullets from Arthur Rhys Davids
.
Muspratt destroyed two more German planes in October. After his final victory, he was withdrawn from battle and assigned to Home Establishment as a test pilot at Martlesham Heath
.
He was awarded the Military Cross
on 7 March 1918. He held the rank of Captain at the time of his death in a plane crash on 16 March 1918.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed great initiative throughout the offensive operations, and seldom failed to become engaged with enemy aircraft when on offensive patrol. He destroyed several hostile machines. He took part in over forty offensive patrols, the majority of which entailed very severe fighting at low altitudes under heavy fire, and he set a magnificent example by his skill, gallantry, and initiative.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 7 March 1918(30561/2927)
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....
, born 22 December 1897 in Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and educated at Sherborne School
Sherborne School
Sherborne School is a British independent school for boys, located in the town of Sherborne in north-west Dorset, England. It is one of the original member schools of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference....
, was a First World War flying ace in 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...
with eight victories to his name.
Keith Muspratt was a doctor's son from Bournemouth, Hampshire.
Learning to fly while still at Sherborne School
Sherborne School
Sherborne School is a British independent school for boys, located in the town of Sherborne in north-west Dorset, England. It is one of the original member schools of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference....
, Muspratt joined the RFC and became an instructor before joining No. 56 Squadron in May 1917. During his service he was credited with eight victories ( 1 captured, 4 destroyed, 1 and 2 shared 'out of control'). His first claim was flying Sopwith-built SE.5 No. A4861, against an Albatros D.III
Albatros 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...
that he helped to force down out of control on 24 May 1917. He added a second out-of-control victory on the 28th, while flying SE.5 No. A8913. On 17 July, he shared another OOC victory flying A8913.
He switched to SE.5 No. 8944, and scored decisively three times in August. Then, on 23 September, he participated in one of the epic air battles of World War I. Werner Voss
Werner Voss
Werner Voss was a World War I German flying ace, a friend and rival of the famous Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen....
fought patrols from No. 60 Squadron RFC, and B Flight of 56 Squadron, included Muspratt. During Voss's single-handed battle, he damaged two No. 60 squadron aircraft such that they withdrew from the fight. He also holed the radiator of Muspratt's plane and riddled the wings of another 56 aircraft. Voss finally succumbed to bullets from Arthur Rhys Davids
Arthur Rhys Davids
Arthur Percival Foley Rhys-Davids DSO, MC & Bar was a British flying ace during the First World War...
.
Muspratt destroyed two more German planes in October. After his final victory, he was withdrawn from battle and assigned to Home Establishment as a test pilot at Martlesham Heath
Martlesham Heath
Martlesham Heath village is situated 6 miles east of Ipswich, in Suffolk, England. This was an ancient area of heathland and latterly the site of Martlesham Heath Airfield...
.
He was awarded the Military Cross
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....
on 7 March 1918. He held the rank of Captain at the time of his death in a plane crash on 16 March 1918.
Military Cross citation
T./2nd Lt. Keith Knox Muspratt, Gen. List and R.F.C.For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed great initiative throughout the offensive operations, and seldom failed to become engaged with enemy aircraft when on offensive patrol. He destroyed several hostile machines. He took part in over forty offensive patrols, the majority of which entailed very severe fighting at low altitudes under heavy fire, and he set a magnificent example by his skill, gallantry, and initiative.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 7 March 1918(30561/2927)