Ernest Norton (aviator)
| Ernest William Norton | |
|---|---|
| Born |
14 May 1893 Dolguan, Newtown, Montgomeryshire, Wales |
| Died | 23 May 1966 (aged 73) Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army Royal Navy Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1914–1944 |
| Rank | Air Commodore |
| Unit | |
| Commands held |
|
| Battles/wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Cross Order of the Crown (Belgium) Croix de guerre (Belgium) Croix de guerre (France) |
Air Commodore Ernest William Norton DSC (14 May 1893 – 23 May 1966) was a British air officer of the Royal Air Force, who began his military career as a World War I flying ace credited with nine aerial victories.
Norton was born in Dolguan, Newtown, Montgomeryshire, the son of Clement W. Norton. He was educated at Newtown County School, and then worked at a motor establishment in Welshpool.
On the outbreak of the war in August 1914 Norton was mobilized to serve in his Territorial Force regiment, the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry, as a despatch rider. On 25 May 1915 he was commissioned as a probationary flight sub-lieutenant to serve in the Royal Naval Air Service. Following flight training he was granted Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificate No. 1476 on 29 July after soloing a Maurice Farman biplane at the Central Flying School at Upavon. In September he was confirmed in his rank of flight sub-lieutenant, with seniority from 25 May, and was posted to No. 5 Squadron at Dover, but was soon transferred to "A" Squadron, No. 1 Wing. On 23 January 1916 Norton dropped a 16-pound (7.3 kg) bomb on a U-boat, which had been previously attacked by another aircraft, whilst patrolling off Ostend. In March he was reported as having been injured in the foot, leg, and head during an attack on a Zeppelin. On 28 July he was promoted to flight lieutenant, and at some point afterwards was appointed an acting flight commander. Norton was back in action with No. 1 Wing on 20 October, flying a Nieuport 11 armed with Le Prieur rockets, with which he destroyed an enemy observation balloon at Ostend. He was later awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for this action, which was gazetted on 1 January 1917. His citation read:
...
Wikipedia