Charles Woollven
| Charles Henry Chapman Woollven | |
|---|---|
| Born |
28 June 1897 Folkestone, Kent, England |
| Died | 7 January 1971 (aged 73) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1916–1947 |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Unit |
Devonshire Regiment No. 25 Squadron RFC |
| Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front World War II |
| Awards |
Order of the British Empire Military Cross |
Group Captain Charles Henry Chapman Woollven OBE, MC (28 June 1897 – 7 January 1971) was a British World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.
Woollven was commissioned from Gentlemen Cadet at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, to be a second lieutenant in the Devonshire Regiment, on 26 January 1916. He was promptly seconded to the Royal Flying Corps to begin his flight training, being granted Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No. 2636 on 31 March, and was appointed a flying officer on 27 May. He joined No. 25 Squadron RFC on 19 June 1916 to fly a F.E.2b two-seater. He scored his first victory on 8 August, driving down a Roland C.II out of control.
Woollven was awarded the Military Cross, which was gazetted on 14 November 1916. His citation read:
He quickly followed this with more aerial victories, destroying two Albatros D.I fighters, on 16 and 23 November. He was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain on 31 December 1916. On 17 March 1917 he drove down out of control an Albatros D.II fighter, and on 1 May he destroyed an Albatros D.III for his fifth victory. On 26 July 1917 Woollven was promoted to lieutenant.
On 20 January 1919 Woollven was transferred to the RAF's Administrative Branch, and was granted a permanent commission in the RAF as a captain on 1 August 1919. He served first overseas, as he was posted to the RAF Depot on transfer to the Home Establishment on 21 October 1923. He served at the Inland Area Aircraft Depot at RAF Henlow from 14 January 1924.
...
Wikipedia