Wilfred Ernest Young
Encyclopedia
Major Wilfred Ernest Young was an English World War I flying ace
credited with 11 confirmed aerial victories.
as an aerial observer Flying Officer
. On 1 January 1917, Young was rewarded with a probationary promotion from second lieutenant
to temporary captain when he was appointed a Flight Commander. This first tour of combat duty, as a Spad
pilot, was with 19 Squadron. He was credited with three victories during June and July 1917, sharing one with William Cairnes and two other pilots. On 1 July 1917, he was promoted from second lieutenant to lieutenant
.
Young's second tour of combat duty, as a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a pilot, was with "Mick" Mannock
's 74 Squadron. Young would share a brace of victories with the highly esteemed Mannock during the former's run of eight wins with the squadron. Young's first win for 74 Squadron–his fourth overall–came on 12 April 1918 when he destroyed an enemy Albatros D.III
west of Armentières
, France. By 9 July 1918, when he shared his last victory over Merris
with his flight, he had totaled 11 wins. He had burned two Pfalz D.III
s into ruins; he had also destroyed seven others, including two that were shared with Mannock, Andrew Kiddie
, Harris George Clements, and five other pilots. Young had also shared in driving down two enemy reconnaissance planes down out of control.
On 2 July 1918, just before his last victory, Young was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, which was gazetted on 3 August 1918. On 4 August 1918, Captain Young was appointed a temporary major while he was so employed.
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...
credited with 11 confirmed aerial victories.
World War I
Wilfred Ernest Young began his military service in the Dorsetshire Regiment of the British army. On 13 June 1916, Young was seconded from the Dorsetshires to 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...
as an aerial observer 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...
. On 1 January 1917, Young was rewarded with a probationary promotion from second lieutenant
Second 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...
to temporary captain when he was appointed a Flight Commander. This first tour of combat duty, as a Spad
Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés
SPAD was a French aircraft manufacturer between 1911 and 1921. Its SPAD S.XIII biplane was the most popular French fighter airplane in World War I.-Deperdussin:...
pilot, was with 19 Squadron. He was credited with three victories during June and July 1917, sharing one with William Cairnes and two other pilots. On 1 July 1917, he was promoted from second lieutenant to lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
.
Young's second tour of combat duty, as a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a pilot, was with "Mick" Mannock
Edward Mannock
Major Edward Corringham "Mick" Mannock VC, DSO and Two Bars, MC & Bar was a British First World War flying ace. Mannock was probably born in Ireland, though of English and Scottish parentage....
's 74 Squadron. Young would share a brace of victories with the highly esteemed Mannock during the former's run of eight wins with the squadron. Young's first win for 74 Squadron–his fourth overall–came on 12 April 1918 when he destroyed an enemy 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...
west of Armentières
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....
, France. By 9 July 1918, when he shared his last victory over Merris
Merris
-References:*...
with his flight, he had totaled 11 wins. He had burned two Pfalz D.III
Pfalz D.III
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gray, Peter and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. London: Putnam, 1962. ISBN 0-93385-271-1.* Grosz, Peter M. Pfalz D.IIIa . Berkhamsted, Herts, UK: Albatros Publications, 1995. ISBN 0-94841-425-1.* Guttman, Jon. Balloon-Busting Aces of World War 1 ...
s into ruins; he had also destroyed seven others, including two that were shared with Mannock, Andrew Kiddie
Andrew Kiddie
Captain Andrew Cameron Kiddie was a World War I flying ace credited with 15 aerial victories.As the last British Army veterans of World War I died in 2009 he must now be deceased.-Early service:...
, Harris George Clements, and five other pilots. Young had also shared in driving down two enemy reconnaissance planes down out of control.
On 2 July 1918, just before his last victory, Young was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, which was gazetted on 3 August 1918. On 4 August 1918, Captain Young was appointed a temporary major while he was so employed.