Captain Walter Alfred Southey DFC* (29 April 1897 – 17 April 1920) was a British First World War flying ace, credited with twenty aerial victories, including five balloons,^[1] making him the second highest scoring ace in No. 84 Squadron, behind Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor.^[2]

Early life

Born in Bermondsey, he was familiarly known as Peter Southey. His family later lived in Brockley and New Cross. His father, Walter, was a warehouseman in the lace trade; his mother's name was Emma Susan (née Stacey). It is understood that Walter may have been a pupil at Christ's Hospital – the Bluecoat school.^[3][4]

Military service

Southey enlisted as a private in the 19th (Service) Battalion (2nd Public Schools), Royal Fusiliers (City of London) Regiment, with regimental number 6741.^[5] On 26 June 1915 the 19th Battalion became part of the 98th Brigade in the 33rd Division,^[6] and Southey was with them when they were sent to France in November 1915.^[5] 19th Battalion were disbanded on 24 April 1916,^[6] and Southey then joined the Royal Flying Corps. He was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant (on probation) on 5 August 1916,^[7] and after completing his flight training was appointed a flying officer and confirmed in his rank on 12 February 1917.^[8] Southey flew the Bristol F.2 two-seater fighter with No. 48 Squadron through early 1917, making no victory claims, and was wounded when shot down on 4 June.^[3][9]

He was promoted to lieutenant on 5 February 1918,^[10] before returning to action in March when he joined No. 84 Squadron to fly the S.E.5a single-seat fighter.^[11] He was credited with twenty aerial victories between May and October 1918,^[11] and was appointed a flight commander with the acting-rank of captain on 14 July 1918.^[12]

Southey was awarded his first Distinguished Flying Cross on 2 November 1918. His citation read:

Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) Walter Alfred Southey.

"A gallant and skilful officer. On the 9th August, observing a large body of enemy troops and artillery on a road, he descended to 50 feet and bombed them, causing heavy casualties; he then engaged them with machine-gun fire, inflicting further loss and scattering them in all directions. He displays great courage in the air, having accounted for seven enemy aircraft."^[13]

Southey's Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross was gazetted on 7 February 1919. His citation read:

Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Walter Alfred Southey, DFC.

"An officer of ready resource whose skilful leadership is of the greatest value to his squadron. Since 23rd August Captain Southey has destroyed five enemy kite balloons and three machines, while he has also driven down two aircraft completely out of control."^[14]

After the end of the war Southey was discharged from RAF service,^[11] being transferred to the RAF's unemployed list on 9 March 1919.^[15] His tally of 20 victories was made up of five observation balloons destroyed, eight aircraft destroyed (two shared), and seven driven down out of control (one shared).^[16]

Death

Southey died on 17 April 1920 as a result of a skull fracture following a motorcycling accident, suffered while he was riding to work. He is buried at Ladywell Cemetery, near Brockley, London, England, in Plot 103J.^[3]

See also

• List of World War I flying aces

References

Notes

Bibliography

• Franks, Norman (2007). SE 5/5a Aces of World War I. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-180-9.
• Shores, Christopher F.; Franks, Norman & Guest, Russell F. (1990). Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920. London, UK: Grub Street. ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9.