Charles Woollven

Charles Henry Chapman Woollven
Born (1897-06-28)28 June 1897
Folkestone, Kent, England
Died 7 January 1971(1971-01-07) (aged 73)
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Royal Air Force
Years of service 1916–1947
Rank Group Captain
Unit Devonshire Regiment
No. 25 Squadron RFC
Battles/wars World War I
 • Western Front
World War II
Awards Order of the British Empire
Military Cross

Group Captain Charles Henry Chapman Woollven OBE, MC (28 June 1897 – 7 January 1971) was a British World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.[1]

World War I

Woollven was commissioned from Gentlemen Cadet at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, to be a second lieutenant in the Devonshire Regiment, on 26 January 1916.[2] He was promptly seconded to the Royal Flying Corps to begin his flight training, being granted Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No. 2636 on 31 March,[1] and was appointed a flying officer on 27 May.[3] He joined No. 25 Squadron RFC on 19 June 1916 to fly a F.E.2b two-seater.[4] He scored his first victory on 8 August, driving down a Roland C.II out of control.[1][4]

Woollven was awarded the Military Cross, which was gazetted on 14 November 1916. His citation read:

Second Lieutenant Charles Henry Chapman Woollven, Devonshire Regiment and Royal Flying Corps.
"For conspicuous gallantry in action. He dived down to a low altitude, attacked a train, causing many casualties, and displayed great courage and determination throughout."[5]

He quickly followed this with more aerial victories, destroying two Albatros D.I fighters, on 16 and 23 November.[1] He was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain on 31 December 1916.[6] On 17 March 1917 he drove down out of control an Albatros D.II fighter, and on 1 May he destroyed an Albatros D.III for his fifth victory.[1][4] On 26 July 1917 Woollven was promoted to lieutenant.[7]

List of aerial victories

Combat record[1]
No. Date/Time Aircraft/
Serial No.		 Opponent Result Location Notes
1 8 August 1916
@ 0640 		F.E.2b
(6991) 		Roland C.II Out of control Don Observer: Lieutenant C. Nelson.
2 16 November 1916
@ 1300 		F.E.2b
(7024) 		Albatros D.I Destroyed Somain Observer: Second Lieutenant C. H. Marchant.
3 23 November 1916
@ 1545 		F.E.2b
(7024) 		Albatros D.I Destroyed East of Oppy Observer: Sergeant G. R. Horrocks.
4 17 March 1917
@ 1100–1130 		F.E.2b
(A5484) 		Albatros D.II Out of control Oppy—Beaumont Observer: Sergeant J. H. Booth.
5 1 May 1917
@ 1800 		F.E.2b
(7003) 		Albatros D.III Destroyed South-east of Fresnoy Observer: Sergeant J. H. Booth.

Inter-war career

On 20 January 1919 Woollven was transferred to the RAF's Administrative Branch,[8] and was granted a permanent commission in the RAF as a captain on 1 August 1919.[9] He served first overseas, as he was posted to the RAF Depot on transfer to the Home Establishment on 21 October 1923.[10] He served at the Inland Area Aircraft Depot at RAF Henlow from 14 January 1924.[11]

On 6 August 1925 he married Ariel Gwynnedd Alice Jeffery at Holy Trinity Church, Paddington.[12]

On 1 January 1931 he was promoted to squadron leader,[13] and on 8 April was posted to No. 4 Flying Training School at RAF Abu Sueir, Egypt,[14] remaining there until 10 October 1933.[15] On 10 November 1934 he was posted to No. 2 Flying Training School at RAF Digby for administrative duties,[16] then to the RAF Record Office at RAF West Ruislip on 11 August 1938.[17] On 29 November 1938 he was promoted to wing commander.[18]

World War II

On 11 June 1942 in the King's Birthday Honours, Woollven, now an acting group captain, was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.[19] He was promoted to the temporary rank of group captain on 1 January 1943,[20] and eventually retired on 15 September 1947 retaining that rank.[21]

References

Notes
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Charles Henry Chapman Woollven". The Aerodrome. 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  2. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 29450. p. 1007. 25 January 1916.
  3. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 29625. p. 5984. 16 June 1916.
  4. 1 2 3 Shores, Franks & Guest (1990), p. 390.
  5. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29824. p. 11071. 14 November 1916.
  6. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29899. p. 472. 9 January 1917.
  7. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30552. p. 2691. 1 March 1918.
  8. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 31223. p. 3297. 11 March 1919.
  9. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 31486. p. 9867. 1 August 1919.
  10. ↑ "Royal Air Force: Appointments". Flight. XV (778): 731. 22 November 1923. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  11. ↑ "Royal Air Force: Appointments". Flight. XVI (785): 27. 10 January 1924. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  12. ↑ "Personals: Married". Flight. XVII (871): 569. 3 September 1925. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  13. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 33675. p. 17. 30 December 1930.
  14. ↑ "Royal Air Force: Appointments". Flight. XXIII (1181): 823. 14 August 1931. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  15. ↑ "Royal Air Force: Appointments". Flight. XXV (1296): 1083. 26 October 1933. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  16. ↑ "Royal Air Force: Appointments". Flight. XXVI (1352): 1263. 22 November 1934. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  17. ↑ "Royal Air Force: Appointments". Flight. XXXIV (1549): 189. 1 September 1938. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  18. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 34575. p. 7533. 29 November 1938.
  19. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 35586. p. 2487. 5 June 1942.
  20. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 35855. p. 216. 5 January 1943.
  21. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 38071. p. 4335. 12 September 1947.
Bibliography
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