Norman Cyril Jones

Norman Cyril Jones
Norman Cyril Jones
Born 1890s (estimated)
Died Post 1 April 1974
Allegiance England
Service/branch Field Artillery, aviation
Rank Captain
Unit 2d East Lancashires, No. 71 Squadron RFC, No. 28 Squadron RFC, No. 45 Squadron RAF
Awards Distinguished Flying Cross
Other work Interrupted his business career to return to service during World War II

Captain Norman Cyril Jones was an English flying ace during World War I. He was credited with nine aerial victories.

Contents

Early life

Norman Cyril Jones was born in Cheshire, England.[1] His birth date is unknown; however, he would have to been born prior to 1897 to be old enough to be commissioned into the military at the start of World War I in 1914.

World War I

Norman Cyril Jones was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 2nd East Lancashire Brigade on 14 September 1914.[2]

He was promoted to lieutenant in the Royal Horse and Field Artillery on 1 June 1916.[3]

On 8 June 1917, second lieutenant Jones was appointed a Flying Officer in the Royal Flying Corps; this appointment customarily marked graduation from pilot's training.[4] From 21 June–19 August 1917 he was posted to 71 Squadron while it was in Warwickshire.[5] In late 1917, he was assigned to 28 Squadron in Italy. He scored his first aerial victory while with them, on 25 January 1918.[6]

On 30 January 1918 Jones was appointed a Flight Commander with the temporary rank of Captain.[7] He subsequently transferred in theater, to 45 Squadron, where he resumed his winning ways on 19 May 1918. He would run his score to nine by 21 August 1918.[8]

He earned a Distinguished Flying Cross for his courageous service. It was gazetted on 21 September 1918:

"A gallant and skilful patrol leader who has proved successful on many occasions against numerically superior enemy formations. Capt. Jones has personally destroyed six enemy machines this year."[9]

Needless to say, the award citation was based on incomplete information, as Jones' victory list shows.

List of aerial victories

See also Aerial victory standards of World War I

No. Date/time Aircraft Foe Result Location Notes
1 25 January 1918 @ 1045 hours Sopwith Camel serial number B6344 Aviatik reconnaissance plane Destroyed Sernaglia-San Pietro
2 19 May 1918 @ 0625 hours Sopwith Camel s/n B6372 Reconnaissance plane Set afire; destroyed Mel, Veneto Victory shared with Charles Gray Catto
3 20 May 1918 @ 1040 hours Sopwith Camel s/n B6372 Albatros D.III Destroyed Northeast of Asiago
4 1 June 1918 @ 0945 hours Sopwith Camel s/n B6372 Albatros D.V Set afire; destroyed Feltre
5 7 June 1918 @ 1740 hours Sopwith Camel s/n B6372 DFW reconnaissance plane Destroyed Arsiero
6 28 June 1918 @ 0835 hours Sopwith Camel s/n D8169 Albatros D.III Destroyed A mile west of Pedavena
7 29 July 1918 @ approx. 0900 hours Sopwith Camel s/n D8169 Albatros D.III Destroyed Brugnera
8 21 August 1918 @ 0815 hours Sopwith Camel s/n D8234 Albatros D.V Destroyed Ghiarona
9 21 August 1918 @ 0815 hours Sopwith Camel s/n D8234 Albatros D.V Driven down out of control Ghiarona [10][11]

Between the World Wars

On 23 January 1919, Lieutenant Norman Cyril Jones was placed on the RAF's unemployed list.[12] His assignment to the RAF was ended and he was returned to the Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery of the Territorial Force.[13] He gave up his commission on 30 September 1921.[14]

As Jones exited the military, he moved into the business world. He was involved in the reorganization of the family business in March 1920, which established John Jones as Chairman.[15]

World War II and beyond

He rejoined the RAF for World War II; on 23 February 1941 he was commissioned as an Acting Probationary Pilot Officer for "the duration of hostilities...."[16] Despite his military duties, he was a personal representative to the estate of John Jenkyn Jones, deceased 30 November 1943.[17]

Norman Cyril Jones retired from the firm of Cox & Deakin on 1 April 1974.[18]

Reference

  • Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. Christopher F. Shores, Norman Franks, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1990. ISBN 0948817194, 9780948817199.

Endnotes

  1. ^ Shores, et al, p. 217.
  2. ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 30 September 1914, p. 7782.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28920/supplements/7782/page.pdf Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  3. ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 24 July 1917, p. 7568.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30200/supplements/7568 Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  4. ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 2 August 1917, p. 7892.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30214/supplements/7892 Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  5. ^ http://www.aviationarchaeology.org.uk/marg/officersf-l.htm Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  6. ^ Shores, et al, p. 217.
  7. ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 25 February 1918, p. 2442.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30541/supplements/2442 Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  8. ^ Shores, et al, p. 217.
  9. ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 21 September 1918, p. 11252.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30913/supplements/11252 Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  10. ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/jones7.php Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  11. ^ Shores, et al, p. 217.
  12. ^ (The London Gazette, 18 February 1919, p. 2432.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31187/pages/2432 Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  13. ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 24 May 1919, p. 6460.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31355/pages/6460 Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  14. ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 13 December 1921, p. 10204.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/32548/supplements/10204 Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  15. ^ (The London Gazette, 9 April 1920, p. 4278.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31857/pages/4278 Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  16. ^ (The London Gazette, 20 June 1941, p. 3529.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35196/pages/3529/page.pdf Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  17. ^ (The London Gazette, 24 March 1944, p. 1420.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36440/pages/1420 Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  18. ^ (The London Gazette, 29 July 1974, p. 7864.) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/46341/pages/7684 Retrieved 27 August 2011.
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