Lancelot Richardson
Encyclopedia
Captain Lancelot Lytton Richardson was an Australian flying ace
during World War I. He was credited with seven confirmed aerial victories.
Richardson was commissioned a Temporary Second Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps
on 28 December 1915. Appointment as a Flying Officer
followed, on 16 May 1916. He was assigned to 25 Squadron on 3 June to fly a Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b pusher
. Two weeks later, he and his observer teamed with two other FE.2 crews to drive a Fokker Eindekker down out of control for Richardson's first victory. Nine days later, on 26 June, Richardson had Leslie Court
aboard as observer/gunner when they forced another Eindekker to land. On 2 July, Richardson forced an Albatros
two-seater reconnaissance plane to land. Then, on 20 July, with Court manning the guns, Richardson teamed with another British aircrew to destroy one Eindekker and drive another down out of control; he was now an ace, but was wounded in the process.
Richardson was promoted to Temporary Captain on 1 January 1917, and returned to combat duty in early 1917 as a flight leader in the same squadron. With William Meggitt
manning the guns, Richardson drove a German two-seater out of control on 15 February 1917. On 17 March 1917, he capped his career as an ace by sharing in the destruction of an Albatros D.II
. On 11 May 1917, he was awarded the Military Cross. On 13 April 1917, Richardson fell to his death under the guns of Hans Klein
of Jasta 4.
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. He was credited with seven confirmed aerial victories.
Early life and service
When Lancelot Lytton Richardson enlisted on 24 September 1914, he completed an Attestation Paper that started his military records. On his attestation, he listed his birthplace as Young, his age as 19, his occupation as "grazier", and his mother, Elizebeth Greedy Richardson, as his next of kin. His mother was not widowed, though there was no mention of Richardson's father. Despite his youth, Lancelot Richardson had been involved in some minor legal trouble in Barraba, New South Wales. Nevertheless, he was accepted for service in a cavalry regiment.Flying service
SerjeantSergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
Richardson was commissioned a Temporary Second Lieutenant 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...
on 28 December 1915. Appointment as a Flying Officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
followed, on 16 May 1916. He was assigned to 25 Squadron on 3 June to fly a Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b pusher
Pusher configuration
In a craft with a pusher configuration the propeller are mounted behind their respective engine. According to Bill Gunston, a "pusher propeller" is one mounted behind engine so that drive shaft is in compression...
. Two weeks later, he and his observer teamed with two other FE.2 crews to drive a Fokker Eindekker down out of control for Richardson's first victory. Nine days later, on 26 June, Richardson had Leslie Court
Leslie Court
Sergeant Leslie Simpson Court was a World World aerial observer who was credited with eight aerial victories while serving as an observer/gunner in the Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2bs of 25 Squadron....
aboard as observer/gunner when they forced another Eindekker to land. On 2 July, Richardson forced an Albatros
Albatros Flugzeugwerke
Albatros-Flugzeugwerke was a German aircraft manufacturer best known for supplying the German airforces during World War I.The company was based in Johannisthal, Berlin, where it was founded by Walter Huth and Otto Wiener on December 20, 1909. It produced some of the most capable fighter aircraft...
two-seater reconnaissance plane to land. Then, on 20 July, with Court manning the guns, Richardson teamed with another British aircrew to destroy one Eindekker and drive another down out of control; he was now an ace, but was wounded in the process.
Richardson was promoted to Temporary Captain on 1 January 1917, and returned to combat duty in early 1917 as a flight leader in the same squadron. With William Meggitt
William Meggitt
Lieutenant William Geoffrey Meggitt was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.-Post World War I:...
manning the guns, Richardson drove a German two-seater out of control on 15 February 1917. On 17 March 1917, he capped his career as an ace by sharing in the destruction of an Albatros D.II
Albatros D.II
|-See also:...
. On 11 May 1917, he was awarded the Military Cross. On 13 April 1917, Richardson fell to his death under the guns of Hans Klein
Hans Klein
Dipl.-Ing. Hans KleinIn German an engineer's degree is called Diplom-Ingenieur was a German World War I fighter ace credited with 22 aerial victories...
of Jasta 4.
Reference
- Pusher Aces of World War 1" Jon Guttman, Harry Dempsey. Osprey Pub Co, 2009. ISBN 1846034175, 9781846034176.