Captain Sidney William HighwoodDFC* (30 December 1896 – 1975) was a British World War I flying ace and balloon buster credited with sixteen aerial victories.[1]
Sidney William Highwood
Born
(1896-12-30)30 December 1896 Marden, Kent, England
Highwood was born in Marden, Kent, to William and Sarah Highwood, of Hertsfield Farm.[2] He first served as a private in the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment).[1] In 1917 he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, and on 11 October was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant (on probation),[3] being confirmed in his rank on 22 March 1918.[4]
He was posted to No. 84 Squadron on 20 May 1918, flying the S.E.5a, where between 8 August and 30 October he accounted for nine enemy observation balloons, five Fokker D.VII fighters, and two Rumpler reconnaissance aircraft, for which he was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.[1]
On 9 October 1918 he was appointed a flight commander with the acting rank of captain,[5] but left the RAF after the end of the war, being transferred to the unemployed list on 2 March 1919.[6]
After the war Highwood returned to the family business of growing fruit and vegetables, acquiring Sheerland Farm in Pluckley, Kent, in 1929.[2][7][8]
Honours and awards
Distinguished Flying Cross
Lieutenant Sidney William Highwood
"An Officer of exceptional skill and courage who, since 8 August, has accounted for nine enemy aircraft, driving down five kite balloons in flames, destroying two enemy machines, and shooting down two others out of control".[9]
Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross
Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Sidney William Highwood, DFC.
"A courageous officer who has proved himself a skilful and bold fighter. Since 2 October he has destroyed three enemy machines and four kite balloons, and has in addition rendered valuable service in attacking enemy troops on the ground".[10]
References
^ abc"Sidney William Highwood". The Aerodrome. 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
^ ab"No. 35060". The London Gazette. 31 January 1941. p. 639.
^"No. 30337". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 October 1917. pp. 10656–10657.
^"No. 30647". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 April 1918. p. 4955.
^"No. 30958". The London Gazette. 18 October 1918. p. 12254.
^"No. 31243". The London Gazette. 21 March 1919. p. 3757.
^"Pluckley – Farming". pluckley.net. 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
^"S. W. Highwood (Pluckley) Ltd. – Fruit and Vegetable Producers". ukplaces.com. 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
^"No. 31046". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 November 1918. p. 14322.
^"No. 31170". The London Gazette. 7 February 1919. p. 2033.
December 30, 2022
sidney, highwood, captain, sidney, william, highwood, december, 1896, 1975, british, world, flying, balloon, buster, credited, with, sixteen, aerial, victories, sidney, william, highwoodborn, 1896, december, 1896marden, kent, englanddied1975, aged, kent, engla. Captain Sidney William Highwood DFC 30 December 1896 1975 was a British World War I flying ace and balloon buster credited with sixteen aerial victories 1 Sidney William HighwoodBorn 1896 12 30 30 December 1896Marden Kent EnglandDied1975 aged 78 79 Kent EnglandAllegianceUnited KingdomService wbr branchBritish ArmyRoyal Air ForceRankCaptainUnitQueen s Own Royal West Kent Regiment No 84 Squadron RAFAwardsDistinguished Flying Cross amp BarBiography EditHighwood was born in Marden Kent to William and Sarah Highwood of Hertsfield Farm 2 He first served as a private in the Queen s Own Royal West Kent Regiment 1 In 1917 he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and on 11 October was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant on probation 3 being confirmed in his rank on 22 March 1918 4 He was posted to No 84 Squadron on 20 May 1918 flying the S E 5a where between 8 August and 30 October he accounted for nine enemy observation balloons five Fokker D VII fighters and two Rumpler reconnaissance aircraft for which he was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross 1 On 9 October 1918 he was appointed a flight commander with the acting rank of captain 5 but left the RAF after the end of the war being transferred to the unemployed list on 2 March 1919 6 After the war Highwood returned to the family business of growing fruit and vegetables acquiring Sheerland Farm in Pluckley Kent in 1929 2 7 8 Honours and awards EditDistinguished Flying Cross Lieutenant Sidney William Highwood An Officer of exceptional skill and courage who since 8 August has accounted for nine enemy aircraft driving down five kite balloons in flames destroying two enemy machines and shooting down two others out of control 9 dd Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross Lieutenant Acting Captain Sidney William Highwood DFC A courageous officer who has proved himself a skilful and bold fighter Since 2 October he has destroyed three enemy machines and four kite balloons and has in addition rendered valuable service in attacking enemy troops on the ground 10 dd References Edit a b c Sidney William Highwood The Aerodrome 2015 Retrieved 22 March 2015 a b No 35060 The London Gazette 31 January 1941 p 639 No 30337 The London Gazette Supplement 16 October 1917 pp 10656 10657 No 30647 The London Gazette Supplement 23 April 1918 p 4955 No 30958 The London Gazette 18 October 1918 p 12254 No 31243 The London Gazette 21 March 1919 p 3757 Pluckley Farming pluckley net 2010 Retrieved 23 March 2015 S W Highwood Pluckley Ltd Fruit and Vegetable Producers ukplaces com 2015 Retrieved 23 March 2015 No 31046 The London Gazette Supplement 29 November 1918 p 14322 No 31170 The London Gazette 7 February 1919 p 2033 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sidney Highwood amp oldid 1069950342, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
