Stanley Wallage Explained

Stanley Harry Wallage
Birth Date:1895 7, df=yes
Birth Place:Ipswich, Suffolk, England
Death Place:Amman, Jordan
Allegiance:United Kingdom
Branch:British Army
Royal Air Force
Serviceyears:1917–1919
1921–1926
Rank:Flight lieutenant
Unit:Suffolk Regiment
No. 22 Squadron RFC/RAF
No. 14 Squadron RAF
Battles:World War I
Western Front
Awards:Military Cross

Flight Lieutenant Stanley Harry Wallage (24 July 1895 – 17 April 1926) was a British flying ace credited with ten aerial victories in World War I.[1] He would continue to serve in the RAF post-war until his death in a flying accident.

Early life

Wallage was born in Ipswich, Suffolk, the son of Christopher and Mary Wallage.[1]

World War I

Wallage first served with the Suffolk Regiment, but on 3 May 1917 he was commissioned from cadet to temporary second lieutenant on the General List to serve in the Royal Flying Corps. On 26 July 1917 he was appointed a flying officer and confirmed in his rank.[2]

After his training as a pilot, he was posted to No. 22 Squadron RFC to fly a Bristol F.2 Fighter. His first aerial victory came on 18 February 1918. His second and third came on 11 March, and he gained six more in May, bringing his total to nine. His exploits earned him the Military Cross, which was gazetted on 16 September 1918. His citation read:

Temporary Second Lieutenant Stanley Harry Wallage, General List and RAF.

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during recent operations. He personally destroyed seven enemy machines. He showed a fine spirit of dash and tenacity, and his skill and success as a fighting pilot was a fine example to others in his squadron."

On 26 September 1918, he was promoted to temporary captain while so employed[3] and gained his tenth and final victory on 4 November, just a week before the Armistice brought an end to the fighting.

He was again graded for purposes of pay and allowances as a captain on 1 May 1919, but he was then transferred to the unemployed list on 18 May.

List of aerial victories

See also: Aerial victory standards of World War I.

+Combat record
No.Date/TimeAircraft/
Serial No.
OpponentResultLocationNotes
118 February 1918
@ 1400 hours
Bristol F.2 Fighter
(C4808)
German reconnaissance aircraftDriven down out of controlSeclin, FranceObserver/gunner: John Jones
211 March 1918
@ 1420 hours
Bristol F.2 Fighter
(A7286)
Albatros D.V fighterDriven down out of controlLomme, FranceObserver/gunner: John Jones
3Driven down out of controlLigny, France
48 May 1918
@ 1900 hours
Bristol F.2 Fighter
(C795)
Pfalz D.III fighterDestroyedNorth of La Bassée, FranceObserver/gunner: George Thomson
513 May 1918
@ 1040–1045 hours
Bristol F.2 Fighter
(C795)
DFW reconnaissance aircraftDriven down out of controlLa Bassée, FranceObserver/gunner: George Thomson
6DFW reconnaissance aircraftDriven down out of control
722 May 1918
@ 1030 hours
Bristol F.2 Fighter
(C795)
Albatros D.V fighterDestroyedHancourt, FranceObserver/gunner: A. P. Stoyle
8Albatros D.V fighterDriven down out of control
926 May 1918
@ 1945 hours
Bristol F.2 FighterAlbatros D.V fighterDestroyedSoutheast of Armentières, FranceObserver/gunner: A. P. Stoyle
104 November 1918
@ 1415 hours
Bristol F.2 Fighter
(E2454)
Pfalz D.XII fighterDriven down out of controlNorthwest of Bavay, FranceObserver/gunner: Dennis Waight

Post-war career

Wallage returned to the RAF on 21 January 1921 when granted a Short Service Commission with the rank of flying officer, and he was promoted to flight lieutenant on 1 January 1924. On 4 February 1925 he was granted a permanent commission.

On 17 April 1926 Wallage was serving in No. 14 Squadron when he and Squadron Leader Harley Alec Tweedie were killed when their Airco DH.9A crashed at Amman, Transjordan.[4]

References

Notes
  • Bibliography
  • Notes and References

    1. Web site: Stanley Harry Wallage . The Aerodrome . 2016 . 31 March 2016.
    2. Note: Such appointment usually nearly coincided with completion of pilot's training.
    3. Note: such promotion usually accompanied an appointment as a flight commander.
    4. Royal Air Force Flying Accidents . 906 . XVIII . 280 . . 6 May 1926 . 31 March 2016.