Background
Amm was born to Amy Celia Hill and Edwin John Amm. After service in the Royal Air Force, he declined an opportunity to return home on the first flight ever from England to South Africa, citing a promise to his father to never again fly.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Edgar Edgar Oxenham Amm Distinguished Flying Cross
Edit ProfileCareer
He returned to service during World World War World War II Between the wars, and after World World War II, he was a farmer and businessman. Edgar O. Amm served in two World Wars. In the First, he was a lieutenant.
In the Second, he was a major.
World War I Amm was seconded from the army to the Royal Air Force. He joined 29 Squadron in July 1918 as a Southeast.5a pilot.
He was almost immediately successful, setting a German Fokker Doctorate.VII fighter afire on 12 August 1918. He amassed two more victories in August, two in September, three in October.
On 9 November, he drove down one Fokker Doctorate.VII and set another aflame.
In turn, he was shot down by a third Doctorate.VII, but was unharmed. He spent a very short spell as a prisoner of war. One version of his repatriation has him riding a bicycle into his old unit on 24 November.
Another says he was in durance vile only 48 hours.
A summary of Amm"s victories credits him with seven enemy airplanes and an observation balloon destroyed, and two planes driven down out of control. His opportunity to fly home as part of the Silver Queen expedition would seem to show that he served well into 1919, and perhaps 1920, as the Queen didn"t take off until 4 February 1920.
World World War II First, he was a flying instructor. Then he served in Egypt and the Middle East, as well as Italy.
Amm died in a nursing home in Johannesburg on 25 March 1953.
His death certificate showed him as ten years younger than his actual age. On 17 September, in company with six other machines, this officer took part in an engagement with seventeen hostile aircraft. Eight of these were destroyed.
Achievements
-
Distinguished Flying Cross (Distinguished Flying Cross) Lieutenant Edgar Oxenham Amm. (FRANCE) A gallant and dashing airman who has destroyed four enemy machines and a balloon. On 17 September, in company with six other machines, this officer took part in an engagement with seventeen hostile aircraft. Eight of these were destroyed, Lieutenant Amm accounting for one. Supplement to the London Gazette, 3 December 1918 Awarded a Bar in lieu of a second award of the Distinguished Flying Cross on 3 June 1919. Awarded the Belgian Croix de guerre on 15 June 1919.
-
Born
-
Died
March 25, 1953 (aged 54) -
Nationality
South Africa