This website is dedicated to James V Gascoyne, who became a WW1 Flying Ace. Here you will find Audio and written interviews, which contain extremely interesting accounts of his time in both RFC and RAF. There are also photographs taken by James, which I am sure you will find very interesting. I have added a copy of his flying log book which again makes a good read.
James joined the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in 1913 (service number 719), initially non-commissioned, serving as a mechanic in the Transport Section on 3 Squadron, then moving on to 9 Squadron. At the start of the war he spent two years in France. In 1916, James sustained a head injury and for the following two years was an instructor at Redding University, which had been taken over by the RFC to train personnel.
As a Sergeant in 1918, James applied for his commission and fulfilled his dream to become a fighter pilot. After several months of training, Second Lieutenant James Gascoyne was posted to 92 Squadron at Serny, flying the SE5a aircraft. He proved to be a natural fighter pilot and after only 3 months of active flying, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). In 1921 James left the new Royal Air Force at the rank of Flying Officer.
James went on to serve in World War 2 as part of the Volunteer Reserve (1940 to 1945). Sadly there is limited information, as mostly redacted, on his service record so I can-not add anything more. For reasons, I have been unable to find out, he was mentioned in the Queens New Years Honours List in 1945.
In 1972 James was interviewed by David Lance of the Imperial War Museum, who were going though the process of recording WW1 accounts from ex-service personnel. The IWM currently have this recording on their website for all to hear. Please click on the below links.
James gives an excellent account of his time in the RFC and later the RAF, even sings a few WW1 songs.
This website has been created in memory of James Gascoyne, who was one of the brave fighter pilots of WW1. My intention is to keep his memory alive, so that he is not lost in the passage of time. This is not a summary of his many years with the RFC and RAF, but a brief account of him and the stories he told.
Distinguished Flying Cross