Major Stephen William Price (28 November 1893 – 19 April 1974) was a British World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.

World War I

Price was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 19 September 1914, after serving as a cadet in the Officers Training Corps, and served in the 8th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. He eventually transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, and was granted Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificate No. 1970 on 27 October 1915, having successfully soloed in a Maurice Farman biplane at the Military School, Ruislip. On completion of his flight training, Price was appointed a flying officer on 20 January 1916, and transferred to the General List for service with the RFC. He was promoted to lieutenant on 1 April 1916. Although Price served in several squadrons, all his successes came while serving in No. 11 Squadron, flying a

F.E.2b 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 ...

two-seater, with American ace Lieutenant

Frederick Libby Captain Frederick Libby (15 July 1891 – 9 January 1970) became the first American flying ace, while serving as an observer in the Royal Flying Corps during World War I. Libby transferred to the United States Army Air Service on 15 September 1 ...

as his gunner. Price was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain on 4 August 1916, between 22 August and 17 October, the two men drove down five enemy reconnaissance aircraft over Bapaume, and an Albatros D.I over Mory. On 22 October, they shot down another Albatros D.I in flames over Douchy-lès-Ayette. Price was subsequently awarded the Military Cross, which was gazetted on 25 November 1916. His citation read: :"For conspicuous gallantry in action. During a reconnaissance he was attacked by a large number of enemy machines. He manoeuvred his machine with great skill, and fought down a hostile machine. On four previous occasions he and his observer have accounted for enemy machines." On 1 January 1918 Price was appointed a squadron commander with the temporary rank of major, taking command of No. 83 Squadron. He was transferred to the unemployed list of the RAF on 31 January 1919. Between the wars Price worked as a

solicitor A solicitor is a legal practitioner who traditionally deals with most of the legal matters in some jurisdictions. A person must have legally-defined qualifications, which vary from one jurisdiction to another, to be described as a solicitor and ...

and served as an

Under-Sheriff An undersheriff (or under-sheriff) is an office derived from ancient English custom that remains in, among other places, England and Wales and the United States, though performing different functions. United States In American law enforcement, t ...

of London, 1935–1936.

World War II

On 25 April 1939 Price was granted a commission as a pilot officer on probation in the Administrative & Special Duties Branch of the

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) was established in 1936 to support the preparedness of the U.K. Royal Air Force in the event of another war. The Air Ministry intended it to form a supplement to the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF ...

. He was confirmed in his appointment and promoted to flying officer on 1 September 1939, just days before the declaration of war on Germany. However, on 27 April 1941, he resigned his commission. Price died in Midhurst,

Sussex Sussex (), from the Old English (), is a historic county in South East England that was formerly an independent medieval Anglo-Saxon kingdom. It is bounded to the west by Hampshire, north by Surrey, northeast by Kent, south by the English ...

, on 19 April 1974.

References

;Notes ;Bibliography * {{DEFAULTSORT:Price, Stephen 1893 births 1974 deaths People from Hornsey Royal Leicestershire Regiment officers Royal Flying Corps officers British World War I flying aces Recipients of the Military Cross Royal Air Force personnel of World War I Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve personnel of World War II British Army personnel of World War I Officers' Training Corps officers Royal Air Force officers Military personnel from London