Ernest Foot
| Ernest Leslie Foot | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Feet |
| Born |
19 May 1895 Pulborough, Sussex, England |
| Died | 23 June 1923 (aged 28) Near Chertsey, Surrey, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1914–1919 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit |
Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry No. 11 Squadron RFC No. 60 Squadron RFC No. 56 Squadron RFC |
| Awards | Military Cross |
| Other work | Commercial and test pilot, instructor and air racer. |
Major Ernest Leslie Foot MC (19 May 1895 – 23 June 1923) was an English World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories. He was the best friend of Albert Ball.
Foot was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant in the infantry on 27 October 1914, and was promoted to lieutenant in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry on 28 December 1914. He was transferred from the OBLI to the General List and appointed a flying officer (observer) in the Royal Flying Corps on 21 October 1915. On 20 December 1915 he was granted Aviators' Certificate No. 2257 after flying a Maurice Farman biplane at the Military Flying School at Farnborough, and was appointed a flying officer on 10 February 1916.
Foot was assigned to No. 11 Squadron RFC, where he befriended Ball. On 23 July 1916 he was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain. Between 9 September and 15 September 1916, flying Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b No. 7016, Foot destroyed three enemy aircraft. The day after his third win, he transferred to No. 60 Squadron. There was a SPAD S.VII on trial with the unit; Foot used it to destroy an Albatros two-seater on 28 September. He then used a Nieuport 17 to drive down a Roland C.II on 21 October 1916. On 26 October, Foot was shot down in flames by German ace Hans Imelmann; somehow, Foot crash-landed unscathed. On 3 November, he was sent back to England for a rest. Shortly afterwards his award of the Military Cross was gazetted.
He joined No. 56 Squadron on 10 March 1917, as it mobilized as the first squadron to operate the Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5. Once again, he was a flight commander. However, an auto accident the night before the squadron departed for France knocked Foot out of flying for the remainder of the war. However, he continued to serve, being promoted to temporary major on 30 April 1918, and was an instructor at the No. 1 School of Special Flying based at RAF Gosport. Finally, on 11 April 1919, Foot was transferred to the RAF's unemployed list, bringing his military career to an end.
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