John Womersley
| John Herbert Greenwood Womersley | |
|---|---|
| Born |
1 April 1896 Halifax, Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 23 January 1962 (aged 65) Hastings, Sussex, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1915–1919 1940–1945 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit |
Royal Garrison Artillery No. 43 Squadron RFC Pioneer Corps |
| Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front World War II |
| Awards | Military Cross |
Lieutenant John Herbert Greenwood Womersley MC (1 April 1896 – 23 January 1962) was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.
Womersley trained as a cadet in the Leeds University Officers' Training Corps, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the East Riding Fortress Company, Royal Garrison Artillery (Territorial Force) on 27 October 1915. On 7 July 1916 he was one of a number of junior officers seconded for duty with the Regular Royal Garrison Artillery.
Womersley later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, being appointed a flying officer on 1 April 1917, and was assigned to No. 43 Squadron to fly the Sopwith 1½ Strutter two-seater fighter. On 16 June, he was part of a multi-aircraft assault on an Albatros D.III; he shared credit for the victory with his observer Air Mechanic 2nd Class J. M. O'Shea and ten squadron-mates. On 1 July 1917 he was promoted to lieutenant. Womersley gained a second victory on 23 July, driving down an Albatros D.V with his observer Second Lieutenant Cyril Agelasto. His squadron was then re-equipped with the single-seater Sopwith Camel; in which he gained two more victories on 24 October. His fifth and final victory came on 12 November 1917. That same day, he crashed during a practice flight and was severely injured.
He was awarded the Military Cross on 18 January 1918. His citation read:
Womersley was transferred to the RAF unemployed list on 16 April 1919.
Womersley returned to the East Riding Fortress Company, Royal Garrison Artillery, on 18 November 1920, transferring to the Territorial Army Reserve on 24 June 1922.
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