Jack Armand Cunningham
| Jack Armand Cunningham | |
|---|---|
| Born |
4 December 1890 Liverpool, England |
| Died | 3 April 1956 (aged 65) Hoylake, Cheshire, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1910–1945 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit |
Royal Artillery No. 18 Squadron RFC No. 6 Squadron RFC No. 65 Squadron RAF No. 65 Wing RAF |
| Awards |
|
Lieutenant Colonel Jack Armand Cunningham DSO, DFC (4 December 1890 – 3 April 1956) was an English World War I flying ace credited with 10 aerial victories. His victory record was remarkable for being scored over a four-year stretch, using four different types of aircraft. Cunningham continued his lengthy military career until the end of World War II, when he retired.
Cunningham first served as a second lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery. He was granted the Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No. 623 at the Bristol School, Brooklands, on 12 September 1913. He was promoted to lieutenant on 23 December 1913. Soon after the outbreak of World War I he was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps, and was appointed a flying officer on 12 September 1914.
On 16 May 1915 Cunningham was appointed a flight commander with the rank of temporary captain. He served in 5 Squadron from 7 July to 18 October 1915 in Warwickshire, England.
After a transfer to 18 Squadron in France, on 28 November 1915 Cunningham and his observer used a Vickers Gunbus to drive down an LVG reconnaissance machine down over La Bassée. On 29 December 1915, Cunningham had switched to a single-seat Bristol Scout to drive down an Aviatik recon plane over Provin. On 5 February 1916, he used an Airco DH.2 to force an Albatros recon machine to land at Carvin.
Effective 15 July 1916, Cunningham was appointed a squadron commander, with the concomitant rank of temporary major. He would not score his next victories until 18 December 1917, when he was apparently commanding 65 Squadron. He became an ace flying a Sopwith Camel fighter to destroy one German Albatros D.V fighter and drive another down out of control.
...
Wikipedia