Stanley Vincent
| Sir Stanley Vincent | |
|---|---|
Air Vice Marshal Vincent in 1945
|
|
| Born |
7 April 1897 Hampstead, London |
| Died | 13 March 1976 (aged 78) Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
British Army (1915–18) Royal Air Force (1918–50) |
| Years of service | 1915–1950 |
| Rank | Air Vice Marshal |
| Commands held |
No. 11 (Fighter) Group (1948–50) No. 221 Group (1944–45) No. 13 (Fighter) Group (1943–44) No. 226 (Fighter) Group (1942) RAF North Weald (1941) RAF Northolt (1937, 1940–41) No. 84 Squadron (1933–35) No. 41 Squadron (1931–33) |
| Battles/wars |
First World War Second World War |
| Awards |
Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Flying Cross Air Force Cross Mentioned in Despatches Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States) |
| Other work | Eastern Area Commandant Royal Observer Corps (1954–65) |
Air Vice Marshal Stanley Flamank Vincent, CB, DFC, AFC, DL (7 April 1897 – 13 March 1976) was a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and later a senior commander in the Royal Air Force (RAF). He was the only RFC/RAF pilot to shoot down enemy aircraft in both world wars.
Stanley Vincent was born in Hampstead, North London, on 7 April 1897, the son of Dr Charles Vincent and Hannah Phillips. He was educated at Lancing College.
Vincent was commissioned into the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) after the completion of his training in 1915 at the Central Flying School, Upavon. His first posting was to No. 60 Squadron RAF in France in April 1916, equipped with Morane single seat and two seaters. Vincent was appointed to ‘A’ Flight equipped with the Morane Bullet scout. He claimed an LVG two-seater in July (the Squadron's first victory), another two seater in September and an Albatros two seater 'Out of control' in early 1917, by now flying the Nieuport 17. In March 1917 he returned to England with his commanding officer (CO), Major Smith-Barry, in order to open and establish the School of Special Flying at Gosport. In April 1917 Vincent crashed-landed and spent 7 months in hospital.
In November 1917 Vincent was given command of the newly formed No. 110 Squadron RAF. After handing command to the squadron's first CO, Major H R Nicholl, Vincent was posted to Shoreham and formed a Special Instructors' Flight at Shoreham. He was one of the first to be awarded the Air Force Cross in late 1918 and was promoted flight lieutenant in 1920. After the war, he was sent to France to bring back captured German machines and joined No 24 Squadron where he gave refresher courses to repatriated prisoners-of-war. He was also involved in the training of the Prince of Wales at this time. In August 1919 he was transferred to the Unemployed List but soon afterwards re-joined the RAF.
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