George Simpson (aviator)
| George Goodman Simpson | |
|---|---|
| Born |
14 September 1896 Saint Kilda, Melbourne, Australia |
| Died | April 1990 (aged 93) Horsham, Surrey, England |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch | Aviation |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Unit | No. 1 Wing RNAS No. 8 Naval Squadron No. 9 Naval Squadron |
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross |
| Other work | Returned to military service during World War II |
Captain (later Squadron Leader) George Goodman Simpson was an Australian-born flying ace credited with eight confirmed victories while flying for the Royal Naval Air Service during World War I. He would serve his country again during World War II.
George Goodman Simpson was born in Saint Kilda, Victoria, Australia, on the outskirts of Melbourne on 14 September 1896, to Minna Alice Lazarus and George Green Simpson. By 1901, the Simpson family, which included elder brother Rolfe, was living at Swaynes Hall, Saint Mary's Church National School, in Saffron Walden, England. In 1916, George Goodman Simpson lived in Regent's Park. In later life Simpson would claim to be native to London, England. He joined the Artists Rifles as a private soldier before World War I.
Simpson joined the Royal Naval Air Service on 8 August 1915. After pilot's training, he was awarded his pilot's certificate at Chingford on 29 January 1916. He was then assigned to No. 1 Wing, where he flew Sopwith Pups and Nieuports.
Simpson then transferred to 8 Naval Squadron. During this posting, he scored his first aerial victory with a Nieuport, as well as becoming A Flight's commander. When the squadron upgraded to Sopwith Triplanes, he would score five more victories with his personal plane, number N5460. He would continue to fly a Triplane after a posting to 9 Naval Squadron, tallying two more wins while flying number N5462. His final victory was scored while 9 Naval was staged at Leffrinckoucke, France.
He was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross for his exploits:
After leaving 9 Naval for England, Simpson flew Home Defence sorties from RAF Cranwell during the latter part of 1917, though without results. He then became a test pilot at RAF Martlesham Heath during 1918.
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