William Wells

1895 (age 23)

Hounslow, London Borough of Hounslow, United Kingdom

He was selected as a Temporary Boy Clerk in the British postal service on 4 April 1911. On 25 March 1915 Private William Lewis Wells of the London Regiment was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Middlesex Regiment. On 22 September 1916 he was appointed a Flying Officer and seconded to the Royal Flying Corps. By early 1918, he had been posted to 22 Squadron as a Bristol F.2 Fighter pilot. He scored his first aerial victory while with them, on 25 January 1918. By 16 March, he had run his score to six. On 19 March 1918 he was appointed as Flight Commander and promoted to temporary captain. A prompt transfer to 48 Squadron followed, as he scored his seventh victory with them on 21 March 1918. Two days later, he rounded out his score list with a triple triumph. On 13 May 1918, his first Military Cross was gazetted: ..On four occasions during three months, he has been engaged with superior enemy formations, and has brought down completely out of control five hostile machines and sent down one other crashing to earth. He has displayed the greatest gallantry, courage, and determination in dealing with enemy aircraft. His second award came as a Bar to his Military Cross, and was gazetted 22 June 1918. Note that it was not granted solely for his air-to-air combat: He frequently attacked enemy troops and transport with bombs and machine-gun fire during operations, often flying at a very low altitude under heavy fire. While attacking enemy troops from a height of 150 feet he was severely wounded, but succeeded in bringing his observer and machine back safely. He has destroyed five enemy machines and driven down five others out of control, and has always set an example of courage and determination to the flight which he has commanded. (Military Cross gazetted 13th May, 1918) However, Wells never got to read the praise for his gallantry. He was killed in action one week before his first award, on 6 May 1918. He was buried in the officers section, plot B. 4. 25, Saint-Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.

William Wells

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Background

William Lewis Wells was born in Hounslow, Middlesex, England in 1895.

Career

He was selected as a Temporary Boy Clerk in the British postal service on 4 April 1911. On 25 March 1915 Private William Lewis Wells of the London Regiment was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Middlesex Regiment. On 22 September 1916 he was appointed a Flying Officer and seconded to the Royal Flying Corps.

By early 1918, he had been posted to 22 Squadron as a Bristol F.2 Fighter pilot.

He scored his first aerial victory while with them, on 25 January 1918. By 16 March, he had run his score to six.

On 19 March 1918 he was appointed as Flight Commander and promoted to temporary captain. A prompt transfer to 48 Squadron followed, as he scored his seventh victory with them on 21 March 1918.

Two days later, he rounded out his score list with a triple triumph.

On 13 May 1918, his first Military Cross was gazetted:

..On four occasions during three months, he has been engaged with superior enemy formations, and has brought down completely out of control five hostile machines and sent down one other crashing to earth. He has displayed the greatest gallantry, courage, and determination in dealing with enemy aircraft. His second award came as a Bar to his Military Cross, and was gazetted 22 June 1918.

Note that it was not granted solely for his air-to-air combat:

He frequently attacked enemy troops and transport with bombs and machine-gun fire during operations, often flying at a very low altitude under heavy fire.

While attacking enemy troops from a height of 150 feet he was severely wounded, but succeeded in bringing his observer and machine back safely. He has destroyed five enemy machines and driven down five others out of control, and has always set an example of courage and determination to the flight which he has commanded.

(Military Cross gazetted 13th May, 1918)

However, Wells never got to read the praise for his gallantry. He was killed in action one week before his first award, on 6 May 1918.

He was buried in the officers section, plot B. 4.

25, Saint-Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.

Achievements

His exceptional valour twice won him the Military Cross. His exploits twice won him the Military Cross.

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William Wells

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Military Cross