Frederick John Shaw Britnell (16 April 1899 – 1980) was a

flying ace A flying ace, fighter ace or air ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The exact number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an ace is varied, but is usually co ...

in the Royal Naval Air Service and

Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) an ...

during World War I. He was credited with nine aerial victories. He returned to service for World War II, remaining in the Royal Air Force until 1954.

Early life

Frederick John Shaw Britnell was born in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England on 16 April 1899.

World War I

Just past his 18th birthday on 3 June 1917, Britnell was appointed a

Flight Officer The title flight officer was a military rank used by the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, and also an air force rank in several Commonwealth countries, where it was used for female officers and was equivalent to the rank of fligh ...

in Royal Naval Air Service on the same day as John Denis Breakey. On 27 October 1917, he was promoted to temporary Flight Sub-Lieutenant. By early 1918, he had been posted to 3 Naval Squadron; he scored his first aerial victory with them on 10 March 1918. His victory streak with them continued as the unit transitioned into 203 Squadron RAF, culminating in his destruction of an observation balloon on 2 October 1918. His bravery was rewarded with a Distinguished Flying Cross, although the citation for it was not gazetted until after war's end, on 8 February 1919: :This officer has flown about 500 hours on active service, and on all occasions, when engaged with the enemy, has shown great dash and marked courage. He has carried out some 162 special missions, and has engaged enemy troops, transport, &c., from very low altitudes with great success.

Post World War I

Britnell survived the war. On 30 August 1919, he transferred to the Royal Air Force's unemployed list; with that, he dropped from history's eye for almost two decades. On 10 May 1938, he was commissioned in the Equipment Branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as an acting Pilot Officer with seniority from 15 May 1936. On 10 November 1938, he was promoted to Flying Officer. On 16 December 1941, he was promoted from flight lieutenant to

squadron leader Squadron leader (Sqn Ldr in the RAF ; SQNLDR in the RAAF and RNZAF; formerly sometimes S/L in all services) is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is als ...

. On 10 February 1954, he relinquished his commission while retaining the rank of Squadron Leader. Britnell's retirement life and eventual death remain unknown.

List of aerial victories

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Britnell, Frederick 1899 births 1980 deaths People from High Wycombe Royal Naval Air Service personnel of World War I Royal Air Force personnel of World War I British World War I flying aces Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve personnel of World War II Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) Royal Air Force squadron leaders