William Edward Green

William Edward Green
Nickname	"Bill"
Born	(1898-10-20)20 October 1898
Died	23 May 1940(1940-05-23) (aged 41)
Place of birth	Ipswich, Suffolk, England
Place of death	Flanders, Belgium
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Air Force British Army
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Unit	No. 57 Squadron RAF, Northamptonshire Regiment
Awards	Distinguished Flying Cross
Relations	Cicely Clare Berry (spouse)

Lieutenant Colonel William Edward Green DFC TD (20 October 1898 – 23 May 1940) began his military career as a World War I flying ace. He was credited with nine aerial victories while flying the Airco DH.4, making him one of the few World War I aces who were bomber pilots.

After World War I, he transferred from the Royal Air Force to the Territorial Army, serving until his death in action on 23 May 1940.

Early life

William Edward Green was born in Ipswich, Suffolk, England on 20 October 1898 the son of Henry Douglas and Caroline Green. He joined the Royal Flying Corps in June 1917.

World War I

"Bill" Green was commissioned a second lieutenant in August 1917. He completed training and was posted to 57 Squadron on 29 September 1917. He scored his first aerial victory on 6 January 1918. On 2 July 1918, he was promoted to temporary captain (customarily accompanied by appointment as Flight Commander). On 29 August 1918, he scored his eighth win, only to be seriously shot about by a Fokker biplane; however, both he and his observer escaped unscathed. He scored his final win on 19 September 1918, having scored his nine victories incidental to his duties as an Airco DH.4 pilot. His Distinguished Flying Cross was gazetted after the armistice ended World War I, on 3 December 1918. The citation makes no mention of his acedom.

"A skilful, courageous pilot and a brilliant leader, conspicuous for his sound judgment. No difficulties daunt him, and he has never failed to carry out any task that he may have been set. He sets a splendid example to the whole squadron."

List of aerial victories

No.	Date/time	Aircraft	Foe	Result	Location	Notes
1	6 January 1918 @ 1200 hours	Airco DH.4 serial number A7904	Albatros D.V	Driven down out of control	Lichtervelde	Observer/gunner: 2 Lt E H Wilson
2	24 January 1918 @ 1130 hours	Airco DH.4 s/n A2161	Fokker Triplane	Set afire; destroyed	Northwest of Roulers	Observer/gunner: 2 Lt H S Gros
3	24 January 1918 @ 1130 hours	Airco DH.4 s/n A2161	Albatros D.V	Driven down out of control	Northwest of Roulers	Observer/gunner: 2 Lt H S Gros
4	3 February 1918 @ 1245 hours	Airco DH.4 s/n A7674	Albatros D.V	Driven down out of control	Menen	Observer/gunner: 2 Lt H S Gros
5	31 March 1918 @ 1115 hours	Airco DH.4 s/n A7904	Pfalz D.III	Driven down out of control	Bapaume	Observer/gunner: 2 Lt H S Gros
6	10 August 1918 @ 1830 hours	Airco DH.4 s/n D9262	Fokker D.VII	Driven down out of control	Between Bray and Péronne	Observer/gunner: 2 Lt C G Smith
7	10 August 1918 @ 1830 hours	Airco DH.4 s/n D9262	Fokker D.VII	Driven down out of control	Bray-Péronne	Observer/gunner: 2 Lt G C Smith
8	29 August 1918 @ 0800 hours	Airco DH.4 s/n 9262	Fokker D.VII	Driven down out of control	Ytres	Observer/gunner: Lt A M Barron MC
9	19 September 1918 @ 1725 hours	Airco DH.4 s/n D8419	Fokker D.VII	Driven down out of control	Havrincourt	Observer/gunner: Lt A M Barron MC

Post World War I

On 3 February 1920 Green went on the unemployed list and surrendered his commission in the Royal Air Force upon appointment into the British Territorial Force.

On 9 April 1921, he was promoted temporary captain in 5th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment. However, shortly thereafter, on 17 July 1921, he relinquished his commission, retaining rank as captain. He obviously returned to duty, as on 10 November 1928 he was promoted to major.

On 10 November 1934, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.

On 24 June 1938 Green was still a lieutenant colonel in the 5th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. On 10 November 1938 he was promoted to colonel of battalion.

Green died on 23 May 1940 in the days before the evacuation from Dunkirk, his battalion was withdrawing across Flanders in a fighting retreat following the German advances in the Low Countries. He is buried at White House Cemetery near Ypres in Belgium. His uniform, medals and sword are held by the Norris Museum in St. Ives.

References

• Franks, Norman; Guest, Russell; Alegi, Gregory. Above the War Fronts: the British Two-seater Bomber Pilot and Observer Aces, the British Two-seater Fighter Observer Aces, and the Belgian, Italian, Austro-Hungarian and Russian Fighter Aces, 1914-1918: Volume 4 of Fighting Airmen of WWI Series: Volume 4 of Air Aces of WWI. Grub Street, 1997. ISBN 1898697566, 978189869756.