Ernest Foot
Encyclopedia
Major Ernest Leslie Foot MC
was a World War I
flying ace
credited with five aerial victories. He was the best friend of Albert Ball
.
In 1916, Foot served in 11 Squadron flying Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b no. 7016. It was here he befriended Ball. Foot also destroyed three enemy airplanes during this tour of duty, two upon 9 September and one upon 15 September 1916. The day after his third win, he transferred to 60 Squadron as a flight commander. There was a Spad
on trial with the unit; Foot used it to destroy an Albatros
two-seater on 28 September. He then used a Nieuport
to drive down a Roland C.II on 21 October 1916. On 26 October, Foot was shot down in flames by German ace Hans Imelmann; somehow, Foot crash-landed unscathed. On 3 November, he was sent back to England for a rest.
He joined 56 Squadron on 10 March 1917, as it mobilized as the first squadron to operate the Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5. Once again, he was a flight commander. However, an auto accident the night before the squadron departed for France knocked Foot out of flying for the remainder of the war.
On 23 June 1923, he was flying Bristol M.1D
registered
G-EAVP when a wing fell off it. Foot died in the resultant impact, which was near Chertsey
.
Temp. Lt. (temp. Capt.) Ernest Leslie Foot, Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous skill and gallantry. When flying a single-seater scout, he dived on to five hostile machines, which were flying at about 2,500 feet, and drove one to the ground as a wreck. On many other occasions he has shown great determination when fighting enemy machines. Supplement to the London Gazette, 14 November 1916 (29824/11053)
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
was a World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
flying ace
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 five aerial victories. He was the best friend of Albert Ball
Albert Ball
Albert Ball VC, DSO & Two Bars, MC was an English fighter pilot of the First World War and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British or Commonwealth armed forces...
.
In 1916, Foot served in 11 Squadron flying Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b no. 7016. It was here he befriended Ball. Foot also destroyed three enemy airplanes during this tour of duty, two upon 9 September and one upon 15 September 1916. The day after his third win, he transferred to 60 Squadron as a flight commander. There was a Spad
Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés
SPAD was a French aircraft manufacturer between 1911 and 1921. Its SPAD S.XIII biplane was the most popular French fighter airplane in World War I.-Deperdussin:...
on trial with the unit; Foot used it to destroy an Albatros
Albatros Flugzeugwerke
Albatros-Flugzeugwerke was a German aircraft manufacturer best known for supplying the German airforces during World War I.The company was based in Johannisthal, Berlin, where it was founded by Walter Huth and Otto Wiener on December 20, 1909. It produced some of the most capable fighter aircraft...
two-seater on 28 September. He then used a Nieuport
Nieuport
Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars.-Beginnings:...
to drive down a Roland C.II on 21 October 1916. On 26 October, Foot was shot down in flames by German ace Hans Imelmann; somehow, Foot crash-landed unscathed. On 3 November, he was sent back to England for a rest.
He joined 56 Squadron on 10 March 1917, as it mobilized as the first squadron to operate the Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5. Once again, he was a flight commander. However, an auto accident the night before the squadron departed for France knocked Foot out of flying for the remainder of the war.
On 23 June 1923, he was flying Bristol M.1D
Bristol M.1
|-See also:-External links:* * * * *...
registered
Aircraft registration
An aircraft registration is a unique alphanumeric string that identifies a civil aircraft, in similar fashion to a licence plate on an automobile...
G-EAVP when a wing fell off it. Foot died in the resultant impact, which was near Chertsey
Chertsey
Chertsey is a town in Surrey, England, on the River Thames and its tributary rivers such as the River Bourne. It can be accessed by road from junction 11 of the M25 London orbital motorway. It shares borders with Staines, Laleham, Shepperton, Addlestone, Woking, Thorpe and Egham...
.
Honours and awards
Military Cross (MC)Temp. Lt. (temp. Capt.) Ernest Leslie Foot, Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous skill and gallantry. When flying a single-seater scout, he dived on to five hostile machines, which were flying at about 2,500 feet, and drove one to the ground as a wreck. On many other occasions he has shown great determination when fighting enemy machines. Supplement to the London Gazette, 14 November 1916 (29824/11053)