John Quested (aviator)

Major John Bowley Quested MC was an English World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories, the most notable of which was over Gustav Leffers.

World War I service
Quested was commissioned in November 1914. In April 1915, he began flying as an observer/gunner in 11 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps.

Quested became a pilot on the Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2bs of 11 Squadron, and scored his first aerial victory on 16 August 1916, driving a Roland two-seater reconnaissance biplane down out of control. On 2 September, he repeated and doubled the feat, driving down two Rolands. On the 15th, he destroyed an enemy fighter plane. A week later, he became an ace by shooting down and destroying an Aviatik two-seater.

On 20 December 1916, Quested drove an Albatros D.I down out of control. A week later, at 1115 hours, he supposedly destroyed another, killing the pilot. However, his observer identified it as a Nieuport 16; it seems a captured French airplane was being used against them. This seventh victim of Quested was German ace Gustav Leffers. In turn, Quested was forced down behind British lines by another German ace, Wilhelm Cymera, at 1230 hours.

On 27 January 1917, he drove down an opposing fighter for his eighth victory; his final tally was three enemy planes destroyed and five driven down. On 13 February, he was awarded the Military Cross. The Croix de Guerre followed on 1 May 1917. A crash in July 1917 ended Quested's flying career, although he continued to serve in nonflying command positions for the duration of the war.

Postwar
Quested reputedly served in Germany and India. Differing reports have him commanding 79 Squadron in 1919, or serving in 48 Squadron in Quetta that same year. Later, he retired to Anglia to farm.