Hugh White (RAF officer)

Air Vice-Marshal Hugh Granville White graduated from the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and began his military career in the East Kent Regiment, transferring to the Royal Flying Corps (a unit of the British Army) during the First World War. He became a flying ace credited with seven aerial victories during the war to begin a four decade military career.

He transferred to the Royal Air Force, in which he held important commands.

First World War
White had originally contemplated a naval career, but he attended RMC Sandhurst instead. He was commissioned into the East Kent Regiment before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps in early 1916. He joined 20 Squadron in July 1916 at age 18, and was promptly nicknamed "Child Pilot". Flying a Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2d with a reluctant first-time observer aboard on 5 April 1917, he engaged enemy planes by operating the observer's guns as well as the pilot's controls. By managing both tasks, White shot down Josef Flink of Jasta 18, who fell into captivity with a hand wound. White followed up by scoring twice more in late May, with Thomas Lewis manning the guns. White was appointed a Flight Commander before being returned to Home Establishment as an instructor.

He returned to the front a year later as a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a pilot in 29 Squadron. Between 15 and 19 May 1918, he drove down an Albatros D.V and destroyed three Pfalz D.IIIs. His final victory of 19 May was an especially eventful one, as White collided with Karl Pech of Jasta 29 during a dogfight, killing the German ace.

After the First World War
Hugh White survived the war, and went on to play on the Royal Air Force rugby team. By the time he retired in 1955, he had risen to the rank of Air Vice-Marshal.