Harold Whistler
| Harold Alfred Whistler | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Willy |
| Born |
30 December 1896 Theddlethorpe, Lincolnshire, England |
| Died | 1 March 1940 (aged 43) Over the Gulf of Oman |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1916–1940 |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Unit |
No. 3 Squadron RFC No. 80 Squadron RAF |
| Commands held | No. 55 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front World War II |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross & 2 Bars |
Group Captain Harold Alfred Whistler, DSO, DFC & Two Bars (30 December 1896 – March 1940) was an English fighter pilot and flying ace in the First World War.
Alfred Harold Whistler was born in 1896 in Theddlethorpe, Lincolnshire, the son of Alfred James Whistler, a clergyman, and his wife Mary Maud. In the 1901 Census for Louth he is listed as Harold Alfred Whistler aged 4 with his parents, older brother and two older sisters living at the Rectory, Little Carlton. Whistler was educated at Oundle School near Peterborough and then at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.
Upon passing out from Sandhurst, Whistler was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Dorsetshire Regiment on 19 July 1916. He subsequently transferred to the Royal Flying Corps to be trained as a pilot, and was seconded to the RFC on 29 September with the appointment of flying officer. He was soon on operations and was wounded in action on 29 January 1917 when he was with 3 Squadron RFC. When he recovered he joined 80 Squadron RFC. He was promoted to the temporary rank of lieutenant (while serving with the RFC) on 1 August 1917, and was appointed a flight commander on 27 August, flying the Sopwith Camel. Promoted to the permanent rank of lieutenant on 19 January 1918, he returned to operations in France that year. He was credited with 23 victories ( 1 balloon, 13 destroyed, 9 'out of control') between March 1918 and October 1918, all while flying the Sopwith Camel.
...
Wikipedia