Norman Cyril Jones

Captain Norman Cyril Jones (8 February 1895 – 23 March 1974) was an English flying ace during World War I. He was credited with nine aerial victories.[1]

Norman Cyril Jones
Born8 February 1895
Cheshire, England
Died23 March 1974
Cockermouth, Cumbria, England
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchBritish Army
Royal Air Force
Years of service1914–1921
1941–1945
RankCaptain
Unit2nd East Lancashire Brigade RFA
No. 71 Squadron RFC
No. 28 Squadron RFC
No. 45 Squadron RAF
AwardsDistinguished Flying Cross
Other workInterrupted his business career to return to service during World War II

Early life

Norman Cyril Jones was born in Cheshire, England.[2] His birth date is unknown; however, he would have to have been born prior to 1897 to be old enough to be commissioned into the military at the start of World War I in 1914.

World War I

Jones was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 2nd East Lancashire Brigade on 14 September 1914.[3] He was promoted to lieutenant in the Royal Horse and Field Artillery on 1 June 1916.[4]

On 8 June 1917, second lieutenant Jones was appointed a flying officer in the Royal Flying Corps; this appointment customarily marked graduation from pilot's training.[5] From 21 June to 19 August 1917 he was posted to No. 71 Squadron while it was in Warwickshire.[6] In late 1917, he was assigned to No. 28 Squadron in Italy. He scored his first aerial victory while with them, on 25 January 1918.[2]

On 30 January 1918 Jones was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain.[7] He subsequently transferred in theatre, to No. 45 Squadron, where he resumed his winning ways on 19 May 1918. He would run his score to nine by 21 August 1918.[2]

He earned a Distinguished Flying Cross for his courageous service. It was gazetted on 21 September 1918:

"A gallant and skilful patrol leader who has proved successful on many occasions against numerically superior enemy formations. Capt. Jones has personally destroyed six enemy machines this year."[8]

Needless to say, the award citation was based on incomplete information, as Jones' victory list shows.

List of aerial victories
See also: Aerial victory standards of World War I
Victories[1][2]
No. Date/time Aircraft Foe Result Location Notes
1 25 January 1918
@ 1045 hours		 Sopwith Camel
serial number B6344		 Aviatik reconnaissance aircraft Destroyed Sernaglia–San Pietro
2 19 May 1918
@ 0625 hours		 Sopwith Camel
s/n B6372		 Reconnaissance aircraft Set afire; destroyed Mel, Veneto Shared with 2nd Lt. Charles Gray Catto
3 20 May 1918
@ 1040 hours		 Sopwith Camel
s/n B6372		 Albatros D.III Destroyed Northeast of Asiago
4 1 June 1918
@ 0945 hours		 Sopwith Camel
s/n B6372		 Albatros D.V Set afire; destroyed Feltre
5 7 June 1918
@ 1740 hours		 Sopwith Camel
s/n B6372		 DFW reconnaissance aircraft Destroyed Arsiero
6 28 June 1918
@ 0835 hours		 Sopwith Camel
s/n D8169		 Albatros D.III Destroyed A mile west of Pedavena
7 29 July 1918
@ approx. 0900 hours		 Sopwith Camel
s/n D8169		 Albatros D.III Destroyed Brugnera
8 21 August 1918
@ 0815 hours		 Sopwith Camel
s/n D8234		 Albatros D.V Destroyed Ghiarona
9 Albatros D.V Driven down out of control

Between the World Wars

On 23 January 1919, Jones was placed on the RAF's unemployed list.[9] His assignment to the RAF was ended and he was returned to the Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery of the Territorial Force.[10] He gave up his commission on 30 September 1921.[11]

As Jones left the military, he moved into the business world. He was involved in the reorganization of the family business in March 1920, which established John Jones as chairman.[12]

World War II and beyond

He rejoined the RAF for World War II; on 23 February 1941 he was commissioned as an acting probationary pilot officer for "the duration of hostilities...."[13]

References
Citations
  1. "Norman Cyril Jones". The Aerodrome. 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  2. Shores et.al. (1990), p.217.
  3. "No. 28920". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 September 1914. p. 7782.
  4. "No. 30200". The London Gazette (Supplement). 24 July 1917. p. 7568.
  5. "No. 30214". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 August 1917. p. 7892.
  6. "RFC and RAF men in Warwickshire". Midland Aircraft Recovery Group. 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  7. "No. 30541". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 February 1918. p. 2442.
  8. "No. 30913". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 September 1918. p. 11252.
  9. "No. 31187". The London Gazette. 18 February 1919. p. 2432.
  10. "No. 31355". The London Gazette. 24 May 1919. p. 6460.
  11. "No. 32548". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 December 1921. p. 10204.
  12. "No. 31857". The London Gazette. 9 April 1920. p. 4278.
  13. "No. 35196". The London Gazette. 20 June 1941. p. 3529.
Bibliography
  • Shores, Christopher F.; Franks, Norman & Guest, Russell F. (1990). Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920. London, UK: Grub Street. ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9.
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