Frederick Thayre

Frederick James Harry Thayre
Born	(1894-10-20)October 20, 1894
Died	June 9, 1917(1917-06-09) (aged 22)
Place of birth	London, England
Place of death	Warneton, France
Commemorated	Arras Flying Services Memorial, Pas de Calais, France
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Captain
Unit	Royal Flying Corps No. 20 Squadron
Awards	Military Cross & Bar

Captain Frederick James Harry Thayre, MC & Bar (20 October 1894 – 9 June 1917) was a British two-seater flying ace in World War I who, in conjunction with his observer-gunners, was credited with twenty victories.

Background

Thayre was born in London on 20 October 1894. He lived in Littlehampton prewar.

Involvement in World War I

Thayre first flew operationally with No. 16 Squadron RFC (Royal Flying Corps) in France, in BE2 aircraft. In this two-seater aircraft, his first victory was achieved on 18 March 1916 when his observer, Lieutenant C. R. Davidson, shot down an attacking German Fokker E.III fighter aircraft. On 10 July, Second Lieutenant Thayre was promoted to Temporary Captain. On 1 September, he was granted permanent appointment as Lieutenant.

Thayre was later posted to No. 20 Squadron, flying FE2d aircraft. He teamed up with Francis Cubbon, with whom he claimed two victories on 29 April 1917.

F.E.2d in profile

On 1 May, the duo shot down an Albatros two-seater of FA 6, killing its crew of two, while on 3 May 1917 Thayre and Cubbon engaged twenty-six Albatros D.III scout aircraft, claiming two enemy aircraft shot down. At last, having exhausted their machine gun ammunition in that fight, Thayre and Cubbon used their automatic pistols as weapons of last resort. They would score fifteen victories together during the course of May 1917. When Britain's leading ace, Albert Ball crashed to his death on 7 May, Thayre found himself lagging only his own gunner, Cubbon, and Billy Bishop in the ace race of the Royal Flying Corps.

Killed in action

On 7 June, Thayre and Cubbon shot down and killed the 5-victory ace Leutnant Weissner of Jasta 18. On 9 June 1917, their F.E.2d aircraft, No. A6430, received a direct hit from anti-aircraft fire from K Flak Battery 60 near Warneton and both men were killed.

The nineteen victories they shared included five D.IIIs shot down in flames, eleven destroyed, an Albatros C reconnaissance two-seater set afire, and another destroyed. Another D.III was driven down out of control. To that, Thayre added his victory with Davidson—a Fokker E.III fighter destroyed.

Along with his gunner Cubbon, Thayre was posthumously awarded a Military Cross and a Bar in lieu of a second award on 18 July 1917.

Honours and awards

Military Cross (MC)

Lt. (temp. Capt.) Frederick James Harry Thayre, R.F.C., Spec. Res.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has consistently displayed great dash and skill and determination when acting as a pilot in bombing raids. His fine offensive spirit and determination to close with the enemy has set a splendid example to his squadron.

Military Cross (MC) Bar

Lt. (temp. Capt.) Frederick James Harry Thayre, M.C., R.F.C., Spec. Res.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When in command of an offensive patrol he showed fine leadership and skill, being personally responsible for bringing down three hostile machines. His coolness and courage enabled his small command to inflict severe losses on numerically superior forces.

References

• Greenhous, Brereton (2002). The Making of Billy Bishop: The First World War Exploits of Billy Bishop, VC. Dundurn Press Ltd. ISBN 978-1-55002-390-9. 
• Guttman, Jon (2009). Pusher Aces of World War 1. Osprey Publishing Co. ISBN 1-84603-417-5, ISBN 978-1-84603-417-6.
• Shores, Christopher; Franks, Norman & Guest, Russell (1990). Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces, 1915–1920. Grub Street. ISBN 0-948817-19-4.