William Curphey
| William George Sellar Curphey | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Growler |
| Born | 1895 London, England |
| Died | 15 May 1917 (aged 21–22) Vicinity of Cagnicourt, France |
| Buried | Caberet-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, Pas de Calais, France |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army |
| Years of service | 1914–1917 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit |
Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment) No. 32 Squadron RFC |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Military Cross & Bar |
Captain William George Sellar Curphey MC* (1895 – 15 May 1917) was a British World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.
Curphey was born in Glasgow, Scotland to Mr. and Mrs. William Salvador Curphey, who at the time of his death were residing at 87 Canfield Gardens, Hampstead, Middlesex, England; the elder William Curphey was a civil servant. The younger William Curphey was educated at Glasgow Academy, at University College School, Hampstead, and at King's College London. He belonged to the Officers' Training Corps at London University.
Curphey enlisted into the Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment) in the early days of World War I. His commission as temporary second lieutenant in that regiment was gazetted 16 November 1914. A promotion to temporary lieutenant followed on 1 June 1915. On 15 July 1916, Curphey was transferred from the Berkshires to the General List of the Royal Flying Corps. He was advanced from pilot officer to flight commander with an accompanying promotion to temporary captain on 8 January 1917.
Curphey was one of the original pilots of 32 Squadron, which was posted with its Airco DH.2s to the Battle of the Somme in France on 28 May 1916. He scored six wins between 22 August 1916 and 7 February 1917; one of them was shared with fellow ace Thomas Robb. On 4 February, he suffered a slight head wound and was forced to land by Leutnant Erwin Böhme; this was Böhme's tenth victory.
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