Henry Biziou

Captain Henry Arthur Richard Biziou was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.

Early life
Henry Arthur Richard Biziou was born on 18 September 1896, birthplace unknown. He would become known as "Weegee" in later life.

World War I
Biziou was already serving in the Yorkshire Regiment on 31 May 1916, when he was posted to the army's General List as a temporary second lieutenant to meet wartime needs. He began duty as an aerial observer, probably with 42 Squadron, on 6 October 1916, and was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps General List on 23 November 1916. On 1 April 1917, he was promoted to temporary lieutenant.

He then trained as a pilot, including the course at the School of Special Flying at Gosport. He was then posted to 87 Squadron and landed in France in April 1918. He flew a Sopwith Dolphin, and scored the squadron's first victory on 6 May 1918. Over time, he ran off a tally of two reconnaissance planes and five fighters destroyed, and another fighter driven down out of control by 22 September 1918.

In the midst of this string of victories, Biziou was promoted to temporary captain on 2 July 1918.

Post World War I
Biziou remained in the Royal Air Force after the war. The Distinguished Flying Cross he had won for his exploits was finally gazetted on 3 December 1918:


 * A most successful leader of marked gallantry. During recent operations he has destroyed four enemy aeroplanes and driven down one out of control; two of these he accounted for in one engagement on September 15th with a number of Fokker biplanes. In addition he has driven down a hostile balloon.

Bizou was stationed at RAF Farnborough postwar. He was killed in a collision with a Bristol F.2 Fighter on 14 July 1919. He is buried in Aldershot Military Cemetery.