William Price (aviator)
| William Thomas Price | |
|---|---|
| Born |
15 November 1895 Acocks Green, Yardley, Warwickshire, England |
| Died | 17 January 1982 (aged 86) Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | No. 48 Squadron RFC |
| Awards | Military Cross |
Captain William Thomas Price MC (15 November 1895 – 17 January 1982) was a World War I flying ace who hailed from Warwickshire, England. He was credited with seven aerial victories at a time when British aviation was suffering its heaviest casualties of the war. After leaving military service, he devoted his life to teaching agriculture until his retirement in 1962.
William Thomas Price was born in Acocks Green, Yardley, Warwickshire, England, on 15 November 1895. He was educated at Christ's College, London, as well as at Reading University.
He began his military service in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, being commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant on 26 August 1915.
Price volunteered for aviation duty and undertook pilot's training. On 28 November 1916, he was appointed a flying officer; this appointment signified his qualification as a pilot. He was seconded from the Royal Warwickshire Regiment to the Royal Flying Corps for duty. He was one of the founding members of No. 48 Squadron RFC, and served with them piloting a two-seater Bristol F.2 Fighter.
Price became a flying ace during Bloody April, 1917; British aviation suffered their heaviest casualties of World War I during that month. He scored two further victories on 9 May 1917, only to be shot down in turn by Lothar von Richthofen. Despite being wounded, he managed to land his aircraft in friendly territory north-east of Fampoux, France. On 1 July 1917 he was promoted to lieutenant, and was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry on this occasion, which was gazetted on 18 July 1917:
...
Wikipedia