Clive W. Warman
Encyclopedia
Captain Clive Wilson Warman was a World War I flying ace
credited with twelve aerial victories. He was the sole American winner of the British Distinguished Service Order.
in Canada on 5 September 1914. They sailed for England in January 1915. Warman's duty with them took him through the Second Battle of Ypres
, where he was wounded. After recovery, he was involved in suppressing the Easter Rebellion in Ireland. He then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
in summer 1916. He was so skillful that when he finished pilot training, they temporarily retained him as an instructor. Not until June 1917 was he assigned to a combat squadron, No. 23, to fly a Spad VII. He began his victory string on 6 July 1917. He became a balloon buster
and an ace on 9 August 1917, when he destroyed a German observation balloon. He scored double victories on 12 and 15 August. On 16 August, his guns jammed mid-fight with three Germans; in frustration, Warman fired his Very flares at his German opponents; he finally flung a wooden mallet at them. Despite his gun jams, he destroyed a German two-seater and a second observation balloon that day. Two days later, he scored his final win. His final tally was two observation balloons destroyed, two enemy planes driven down out of control, and eight destroyed; one of the latter was shared with Conn Standish O'Grady
.
On 22 August 1917, Warman was forced down and wounded in combat. He was under medical care until mid-1918; subsequently, he was assigned to the War Ministry in London for the rest of the war.
2nd Lt. Clive Wilson Warman, M.C., Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During two days, whilst operating under very difficult conditions in high wind and against strong hostile opposition, he destroyed three enemy machines and a balloon. He displayed the greatest dash and fearlessness in attacking an enemy aerodrome, and on one occasion, when separated from his patrol, and surrounded by 20 hostile machines, he fought his way through, although his machine gun was useless, by attacking them with his "Very" pistol; eventually regaining his own aerodrome with his machine much shot about. His wonderful coolness and courage have on all occasions been beyond praise. (Supplement to the London Gazette, 9 January 1918) (30466/568)
Military Cross (MC)
T./2nd Lt. Clive Wilson Warman, Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has on all occasions proved himself to be an exceptionally skilful and gallant pilot, having in the space of six weeks brought down six machines and destroyed a hostile balloon. He has also driven down at least five other enemy machines, displaying a consistent determination to attack at close range regardless of personal danger. (Supplement to the London Gazette, 9 January 1918) (30466/650)
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with twelve aerial victories. He was the sole American winner of the British Distinguished Service Order.
World War I
Warman was a civil engineer before World War I. He enlisted in the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry is one of the three regular force infantry regiments of the Canadian Army. The regiment is composed of four battalions including a primary reserve battalion, for a total of 2,000 soldiers...
in Canada on 5 September 1914. They sailed for England in January 1915. Warman's duty with them took him through the Second Battle of Ypres
Second Battle of Ypres
The Second Battle of Ypres was the first time Germany used poison gas on a large scale on the Western Front in the First World War and the first time a former colonial force pushed back a major European power on European soil, which occurred in the battle of St...
, where he was wounded. After recovery, he was involved in suppressing the Easter Rebellion in Ireland. He then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
in summer 1916. He was so skillful that when he finished pilot training, they temporarily retained him as an instructor. Not until June 1917 was he assigned to a combat squadron, No. 23, to fly a Spad VII. He began his victory string on 6 July 1917. He became a balloon buster
Balloon buster
Balloon busters were military pilots known for destroying enemy observation balloons. These pilots were noted for their fearlessness. Seventy-six fighter pilots in World War I were each credited with destroying five or more balloons, and thus were balloon aces....
and an ace on 9 August 1917, when he destroyed a German observation balloon. He scored double victories on 12 and 15 August. On 16 August, his guns jammed mid-fight with three Germans; in frustration, Warman fired his Very flares at his German opponents; he finally flung a wooden mallet at them. Despite his gun jams, he destroyed a German two-seater and a second observation balloon that day. Two days later, he scored his final win. His final tally was two observation balloons destroyed, two enemy planes driven down out of control, and eight destroyed; one of the latter was shared with Conn Standish O'Grady
Conn Standish O'Grady
-World War I:O'Grady served in 23 Squadron as a Spad pilot. He scored his first aerial victory on 30 April 1917, and accumulated nine wins by the end of August. He was transferred off combat duty to Home Establishment in September 1917. He won a Military Cross for his deeds circa 1 October 1917; it...
.
On 22 August 1917, Warman was forced down and wounded in combat. He was under medical care until mid-1918; subsequently, he was assigned to the War Ministry in London for the rest of the war.
Postwar
Postwar, he became a Flight Commander in the new No. 1 Canadian Squadron. He was injured in a crash on 8 May 1919, but lingered until 12 June 1919 before dying.Honors and awards
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)2nd Lt. Clive Wilson Warman, M.C., Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During two days, whilst operating under very difficult conditions in high wind and against strong hostile opposition, he destroyed three enemy machines and a balloon. He displayed the greatest dash and fearlessness in attacking an enemy aerodrome, and on one occasion, when separated from his patrol, and surrounded by 20 hostile machines, he fought his way through, although his machine gun was useless, by attacking them with his "Very" pistol; eventually regaining his own aerodrome with his machine much shot about. His wonderful coolness and courage have on all occasions been beyond praise. (Supplement to the London Gazette, 9 January 1918) (30466/568)
Military Cross (MC)
T./2nd Lt. Clive Wilson Warman, Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has on all occasions proved himself to be an exceptionally skilful and gallant pilot, having in the space of six weeks brought down six machines and destroyed a hostile balloon. He has also driven down at least five other enemy machines, displaying a consistent determination to attack at close range regardless of personal danger. (Supplement to the London Gazette, 9 January 1918) (30466/650)