James Dennis Payne
James Dennis Payne | |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 July 1896 Leamington, Warwickshire, England |
| Allegiance | England |
| Service | Aviation |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | No. 41 Squadron RFC, No. 29 Squadron RFC |
| Awards | Military Cross |
Captain James Dennis Payne MC was a World War I flying ace credited with fourteen aerial victories.[1][2]
Early life
[edit]Payne was born in Leamington Spa on 22 July 1896, the son of Edward Dennis and Annie Payne, his father was a policeman. In 1911 he was described as an auctioneers clerk aged 14.[3]
World War I service
[edit]On 10 July 1915 Sergeant Payne was awarded flight certificate No. 1415 on Maurice Farman Biplane from the Military School in Birmingham.[4] He was originally assigned to No. 41 Squadron RFC on 12 June 1916, but was shipped out on 16 July, joining No. 29 Squadron RFC on 6 August.[2] On 30 October 1916, Acting Sergeant Major Payne was commissioned a second lieutenant on duty with the Royal Flying Corps.[5]
He scored his first victory on 12 August 1917, using a Nieuport fighter to destroy a German Albatros D.V near Houthoulst Forest. His string of triumphs would run until 9 January 1918. During November 1917, three notable events would occur. On the 9th, he would wound and drive down veteran ace Walter Göttsch for victory number nine.[1] On the 17th, he was awarded the Military Cross.[6] Also in November he was appointed a Flight Commander, which bore the concomitant rank of captain.[7]
By the time he was done, on 9 January 1918, he had destroyed four enemy planes and driven down ten out of control; ten of his victories were over Albatros D.V fighters. All of his victories were scored while flying a Nieuport.[1] On 10 January 1918, he was withdrawn to Home Establishment.[2]
Post World War I
[edit]Postwar, Payne made a living for a while by barnstorming. After that, he lived in Belgium.[7]
Honours and awards
[edit]Military Cross (MC)
2nd Lt. James Dennis Payne, Gen. List, and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While on patrol with two other scouts he attacked a formation of seven enemy two-seaters, bringing down two himself while the two scouts brought down two more. Besides these, he has accounted for five other machines, and at all times shown the greatest gallantry.[8][9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "James Payne". The Aerodrome. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
- ^ a b c Shores, et al., p. 299.
- ^ 1911 Census of Warwick District, RG14/393, 4 George Street, Leamington, Warwickshire.
- ^ Spooner, Stanley, ed. (16 July 1915). "Official Notices to Members". Flight. Vol. VII, no. 29. p. 514. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
- ^ "No. 29871". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 December 1916. pp. 12419–20.
- ^ "No. 30399". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 November 1917. pp. 12318, 12320.
- ^ a b Franks, pp. 23—24.
- ^ Spooner, Stanley, ed. (11 April 1918). "Gallant Air Work". Flight. Vol. X, no. 15. p. 402. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
- ^ "No. 30614". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 April 1918. p. 4223.
Bibliography
[edit]- Franks, Norman (2000). Nieuport Aces of World War I. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-961-4.
- 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.