Sidney William Highwood | |
Birth Date: | 30 December 1896 |
Birth Place: | Marden, Kent, England |
Death Place: | Kent, England |
Allegiance: | United Kingdom |
Branch: | British Army Royal Air Force |
Rank: | Captain |
Unit: | Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) No. 84 Squadron RAF |
Awards: | Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar |
Captain Sidney William Highwood (30 December 1896–1975) was a British World War I flying ace and balloon buster credited with sixteen aerial victories.[1]
Highwood was born in Marden, Kent, to William and Sarah Highwood, of Hertsfield Farm. 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), being confirmed in his rank on 22 March 1918.
He was posted to No. 84 Squadron on 20 May 1918, flying the S.E.5a, 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, but left the RAF after the end of the war, being transferred to the unemployed list on 2 March 1919.
After the war, Highwood returned to the family business of growing fruit and vegetables, acquiring Sheerland Farm in Pluckley, Kent, in 1929.[2] [3]