Captain James Fitz-Morris (6 April 1897 – 14 August 1918) was a British

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

flying ace credited with 14 aerial victories. Records give his name in various spellings; Fitz-Morris, J. F. Morris, Fitzmorris or Fitzmaurice.

Early life and service

Born and raised in

Polmont Polmont ( gd, Poll-Mhonadh) is a village in the Falkirk council area of Central Scotland. It lies towards the east of the town of Falkirk, north of the Union Canal, which runs adjacent to the village. Due to its situation in Central Scotland, m ...

, Scotland, Fitz-Morris was educated at Laurieston School. He passed the Civil Service entrance examination, but gained a deferment on joining the army in late 1914, on the understanding that a position would be reserved for him. He served in the

Highland Light Infantry The Highland Light Infantry (HLI) was a light infantry regiment of the British Army formed in 1881. It took part in the First and Second World Wars, until it was amalgamated with the Royal Scots Fusiliers in 1959 to form the Royal Highland Fusi ...

as a motor despatch rider, but after only three months he transferred to the

Royal Flying Corps "Through Adversity to the Stars" , colors = , colours_label = , march = , mascot = , anniversaries = , decorations ...

and was trained as an

observer An observer is one who engages in observation or in watching an experiment. Observer may also refer to: Computer science and information theory * In information theory, any system which receives information from an object * State observer in con ...

. He flew in the

Vickers Gunbus The Vickers F.B.5 (Fighting Biplane 5) (known as the "Gunbus") was a British two-seat pusher military biplane of the First World War. Armed with a single .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis gun operated by the observer in the front of the ...

with No. 11 Squadron in 1915 as an observer, before retraining as a pilot,Guttman (2002), pp.22–23. being appointed a flying officer at the rank of temporary second lieutenant on 12 July 1916.

World War I service as a pilot

Sent to No. 11 Squadron, his operational career was suspended after an injury in a flying accident in August 1916, fracturing his nose and suffering concussion. After recovering he served as an instructor at

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, near

Grantham, Lincolnshire Grantham () is a market and industrial town in the South Kesteven district of Lincolnshire, England, situated on the banks of the River Witham and bounded to the west by the A1 road. It lies some 23 miles (37 km) south of the Lincoln and ...

, and was also promoted to captain. He then joined No. 25 Squadron in France in July 1917, flying the

Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2 Between 1911 and 1914, the Royal Aircraft Factory used the F.E.2 (Farman Experimental 2) designation for three quite different aircraft that shared only a common "Farman" pusher biplane layout. The third "F.E.2" type was operated as a day and n ...

d and then the

Airco DH.4 The Aircraft Manufacturing Company Limited (Airco) was an early British aircraft manufacturer. Established during 1912, it grew rapidly during the First World War, referring to itself as the largest aircraft company in the world by 1918. Ai ...

bomber, claiming with his gunner

David Luther Burgess David Luther Burgess MC MBE (January 28, 1891 – November 30, 1960) was a World War I flying ace who, in 1926, was the sole challenger to Liberal Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King in a by-election held in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. ...

, some seven aircraft shot down during July and August. They were both awarded the Military Cross for their deeds, Fitz-Morris's being gazetted on 26 September 1917. He then became a flight commander in No. 23 Squadron, flying the SPAD from early 1918 onward, winning a bar to his MC on 22 June 1918Shores ''et.al.'' (1990), pp.156–157. by downing seven enemy aircraft during March 1918. He was slightly wounded in his final engagement, on 24 March 1918, and grounded for a few days. He did not score again after his return to flying. His final confirmed official tally was one aircraft captured, five set afire, four more otherwise destroyed (including one shared), and four others driven down 'out of control'.

Death in flying accident

Fitz-Morris was sent to the United States to serve as an instructor, in the British Aviation Mission under Brigadier-General Charles Frederick Lee. While taking part in a tour of the mid-Western states designed to stimulate support for the war and the air services Fitz-Morris was killed when his Sopwith Camel crashed shortly after take off from the Western Hills Golf Course in

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, Ohio. Because of the fears of German

U-boat U-boats were naval submarines operated by Germany, particularly in the First and Second World Wars. Although at times they were efficient fleet weapons against enemy naval warships, they were most effectively used in an economic warfare role ...

s his body was temporarily laid to rest in the family tomb of the Groesbecks, a prominent Cincinnati family. His funeral was attended by 4,000 mourners, with approximately 250,000 more lining the route of the funeral procession. A year later, after the war was over, his remains were repatriated and re-interred at Polmont Old Churchyard.

Citations for military honours

;Military Cross :Temporary Captain James Fitz-Morris, General List, and Royal Flying Corps. :For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on photographic and offensive patrols. On at least four occasions he has displayed great dash and courage in attacking hostile machines, two of which he completely destroyed, and has driven others down out of control. ;Bar to Military Cross :Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) James Fitz-Morris, MC, Highland Light Infantry, and Royal Flying Corps. :For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During operations he carried out many reconnaissances at a low altitude and obtained valuable information. On one occasion, while on a bombing patrol, he saw an enemy machine attacking our troops with machine gun fire from about 500 feet, and at once attacked it and drove it to the ground. He then attacked seven enemy scouts, one of which he drove down in flames inside our lines. He has also destroyed five other enemy machines and driven down two others out of control. He has always set a magnificent example of dash and determination.

References

;Notes ;Bibliography * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Fitz-Morris, James 1897 births 1918 deaths People from Polmont Highland Light Infantry officers Royal Flying Corps officers Royal Air Force personnel of World War I British World War I flying aces Scottish flying aces Recipients of the Military Cross Aviators killed in aviation accidents or incidents in the United States Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1918