Norman Cyril Jones

Norman Cyril Jones
Born	8 February 1895 Cheshire, England
Died	23 March 1974(1974-03-23) (aged 79) Cockermouth, Cumbria, England
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	British Army Royal Air Force
Years of service	1914–1921 1941–1945
Rank	Captain
Unit	2nd East Lancashire Brigade RFA 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 (8 February 1895 – 23 March 1974) was an English flying ace during World War I. He was credited with nine aerial victories.

Early life

Norman Cyril Jones was born in Cheshire, England. His birth date is unknown; however, he would have to have 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

Jones was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 2nd East Lancashire Brigade on 14 September 1914. He was promoted to lieutenant in the Royal Horse and Field Artillery on 1 June 1916.

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. From 21 June to 19 August 1917 he was posted to No. 71 Squadron while it was in Warwickshire. In late 1917, he was assigned to No. 28 Squadron in Italy. He scored his first aerial victory while with them, on 25 January 1918.

On 30 January 1918 Jones was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain. He subsequently transferred in theatre, to No. 45 Squadron, where he resumed his winning ways on 19 May 1918. He would run his score to nine by 21 August 1918.

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."

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

Victories

No.	Date/time	Aircraft	Foe	Result	Location	Notes
1	25 January 1918 @ 1045 hours	Sopwith Camel serial number B6344	Aviatik reconnaissance aircraft	Destroyed	Sernaglia–San Pietro
2	19 May 1918 @ 0625 hours	Sopwith Camel s/n B6372	Reconnaissance aircraft	Set afire; destroyed	Mel, Veneto	Shared with 2nd Lt. 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 aircraft	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			Albatros D.V	Driven down out of control

Between the World Wars

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

As Jones left 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.

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...."

Bibliography

• Shores, Christopher F.; Franks, Norman & Guest, Russell F. (1990). Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920. London, UK: Grub Street. ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9.