William Wright (aviator)
| William Alan Wright | |
|---|---|
| Born |
27 November 1895 Frisby on the Wreake, Leicestershire, England |
| Died | 26 April 1990 (aged 94) Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1915–1919 1945–1946 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | No. 45 Squadron RFC |
| Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front World War II |
| Awards |
Order of the Indian Empire Air Force Cross Order of the Crown (Belgium) Croix de guerre (Belgium) |
Captain William Alan Wright CIE AFC (27 November 1895 – 26 April 1990) was a British World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.
Wright was born in Frisby on the Wreake, Leicestershire, the son of the Reverend Thomas Wright, who was the vicar there, and his wife Annie. He was educated at Oundle School.
Wright was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant in the infantry on 4 January 1915 and served in the Leicestershire Regiment, until training as a pilot and being appointed a flying officer in the Royal Flying Corps in 16 March 1917. He was posted to No. 45 Squadron RFC to fly the Sopwith 1½ Strutter two-seater, and was shot down by Max Ritter von Müller on 30 April 1917, but survived. Wright gained his first aerial victory on 9 May, sharing with another aircraft of his squadron in the destruction of an Albatros D.III fighter. On 24 May he destroyed two more D.IIIs, and sent a fourth down on flames on 28 May. He was promoted to lieutenant on 1 July 1917.
His squadron was then re-equipped with the Sopwith Camel single-seat fighter, and on 1 September 1917 Wright was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain. He gained his fifth victory, making him an 'ace', on 5 September by driving down a DFW reconnaissance aircraft. He then accounted for two more reconnaissance aircraft on 11 and 20 September. Finally, on 1 October, he shared with a crew from No. 53 Squadron RFC in the capture of an Albatros D.V.
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