Awdry Vaucour
| Awdry Morris Vaucour | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Bunny |
| Born |
8 March 1890 Topcliffe, Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 16 July 1918 (aged 28) Vicinity of Monastier di Treviso, Italy |
| Buried | Montecchio Precalcino Communal Cemetery Extension, Montecchio Precalcino, Italy (45°39′59″N 11°33′28″E / 45.6665°N 11.5578°ECoordinates: 45°39′59″N 11°33′28″E / 45.6665°N 11.5578°E) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1914–1918 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit |
Royal Field Artillery No. 10 Squadron RFC No. 70 Squadron RFC No. 45 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front • Italian Front |
| Awards |
Military Cross & Bar Distinguished Flying Cross Medal of Military Valor (Italy) |
Major Awdry Morris Vaucour MC*, DFC (8 March 1890 – 16 July 1918) was a First World War flying ace credited with seven aerial victories. For part of his career he flew with observer/gunner Alan Bott, who would go on to become an ace in his own right. Valcour was killed in Italy in a "friendly fire" incident, when he was shot down by an Italian Hanriot pilot.
Vaucour, having served as a cadet in the University of London Officers' Training Corps, was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery on 1 September 1914, soon after the outbreak of the First World War.
On 28 September 1915 Vaucour flew on a reconnaissance mission over Valenciennes and Douai, piloted by Captain Euan Rabagliati, completing the mission despite thick cloud and heavy anti-aircraft fire over the objective. Both men were subsequently awarded the Military Cross. Soon after, on 22 November, Vaucour was officially appointed a flying officer (observer) in the Royal Flying Corps. Vaucour, still listed as a member of the Royal Field Artillery, also received a mention in despatches from Field Marshal Sir John French on 30 November, "for gallant and distinguished service in the field".
Vaucour then trained as a pilot, being granted Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No. 2765 after flying a Maurice Farman biplane at the Military Flying School at Catterick Bridge on 10 April 1916. He was posted to No. 70 Squadron RFC, flying the Sopwith 1½ Strutter. On 24 August, he and his observer, Lieutenant Alan Bott, were shot up and forced to land by Leopold Reimann of Jasta 1. However, on 2 September, he and Bott destroyed a Fokker E over Bourlon Wood, and twenty minutes later, drove down another out of control. They also destroyed a Fokker E over Hendicourt on 15 September, the same day that Vaucour was appointed a flight commander with the acting rank of captain. Within a month he had been awarded a bar to his Military Cross.
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