Gordon Apps
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Gordon Frank Mason Apps (3 May 1899 – 24 October 1931) was a British-born World War I flying ace
credited with 10 aerial victories. After working for the Imperial Wireless Chain
in England postwar, he returned to Canada and joined the nascent Royal Canadian Air Force
. He performed pioneering aerial photography survey work while in the RCAF.
. Once educated, he worked for about a year and a half at the Tilling-Hastings munitions and engine factory.
in late August. His training took him successively through No. 2 Officer Cadet Wing and No. 2 School of Instruction at Oxford
before he transferred to No. 9 Training Squadron at Norwich
for flight training on Maurice Farman
Shorthorn
s and Longhorn
s. After soloing, he shipped out to RAF Turnberry's Gunnery School, then to RAF Ayr's Fighting School. He then went on to Shawbury
to polish his skills in both 67 and 10 Training Squadrons. On 22 November 1917, he was forwarded to Italy to join 66 Squadron, arriving 29 December 1917.
On 11 March 1918, he was on patrol at 14000 feet (4,267.2 m) altitude with Alan Jerrard
and Peter Carpenter
when they attacked half a dozen enemy airplanes. Apps sent one down out of control; Carpenter saw it drop into a deep gully. Later that month, on the 28th, Apps fired 300 rounds of machine gun ammo into an enemy Albatros D.III
, chasing it downwards from 10000 feet (3,048 m) to just 400 feet (121.9 m); he was credited with its destruction over Spresiano
.
On 4 May 1918, Apps set one opposing Albatros down in flames on the banks of the Piave River
and downed another making headon firing passes on him. The latter foe crawled from the wreckage only to be strafed by another British pilot; this victim was probably Austro-Hungarian ace Andreas Dombrowski
. On 24 May, Apps became an ace while flying as wingman
to famed ace "Billy" Barker
, being credited with another Albatros D.III destroyed.
Apps scored in both morning and evening of 21 June 1918, destroying an Albatros D.V
and driving another down out of control. A week later, he destroyed an Albatros D.III. On 13 July, he destroyed an Austro-Hungarian Berg D.I fighter. On the 16th, he shared in driving down an enemy two-seater reconnaissance craft out of control for his tenth win.
The day after his last win, on 17 July 1918, Apps was wounded by anti-aircraft shrapnel. On 2 August, he was shipped to France for treatment at 62 General Hospital. When discharged as fit for duty on 5 September, he returned to duty with his home squadron. He spent a short spell with them, during which he claimed an unconfirmed win on 16 September.
He won a Distinguished Flying Cross for his exploits; it was promulgated in the London Gazette 21 September 1918:
Apps returned to Home Establishment in England. His posting over the next month is uncertain, but he spent November and December 1918 in a wireless course at Penshurst
. He then served with 50 Squadron until discharged on 19 March 1919.
. A short-term job in Canada followed. In the meantime, Apps applied to the Royal Canadian Air Force. He joined his old commander "Billy" Barker in the new air force on 19 March 1924. After a round of assignments to Winnipeg, Victoria Beach
, Barrie
, and Norway House, he was posted to an aerial survey project in 1926, tasked to photograph 25000 square miles (64,749.7 km²) in the Red Lake District
.
Apps married Norma Clairs Kennedy at RCAF Station Winnipeg on 10 December 1927. Three years later, he was sent to RAF Calshot
, England for a technical course. He spent 15 December 1930 through 19 January 1931 on leave in England. The course ran from 20 January until April, and Apps took another leave post-course. His father Henry Apps died during this time; this may have given reason for some of the leave. By 28 May 1931, Gordon Apps had returned to RCAF duty at Camp Borden.
On 24 October 1931, Apps was flying Fairchild 71
serial no. 114 with Sergeant Frank Hand aboard. Apps fatally crashed while landing at Peterborough Airport
. His burial, accompanied by a RCAF military escort, was held in Winnipeg at the Chapel of Thompson Mortuary. He was buried at St. Johns
.
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 10 aerial victories. After working for the Imperial Wireless Chain
Imperial Wireless Chain
The Imperial Wireless Chain, also known as the Empire Wireless Chain, was a strategic international wireless telegraphy communications network, created to link the countries of the British Empire. Although the idea was conceived prior to World War I, Britain was the last of the world's Great Powers...
in England postwar, he returned to Canada and joined the nascent Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
. He performed pioneering aerial photography survey work while in the RCAF.
Early life
Gordon Frank Mason Apps was born on 3 May 1899 in Lenham, Kent. He was the second oldest of the four sons of Kate Helena and Henry Apps, a sanitary inspector. Gordon Apps first attended the local Lenham School, then Sutton Valence SchoolSutton Valence School
Sutton Valence School is an English independent school near Maidstone in southeast England. It has about 520 pupils. It is a co-educational school with a boarding option . The three boarding houses are Westminster, St Margaret's and Sutton and, for those in the first and second form, Beresford...
. Once educated, he worked for about a year and a half at the Tilling-Hastings munitions and engine factory.
World War I
Gordon Apps followed his elder brother into the Artists Rifles in 1917; he transferred to the Royal Flying CorpsRoyal 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 late August. His training took him successively through No. 2 Officer Cadet Wing and No. 2 School of Instruction at Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
before he transferred to No. 9 Training Squadron at Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
for flight training on Maurice Farman
Maurice Farman
Maurice Alain Farman was a French Grand Prix motor racing champion, an aviator, and an aircraft manufacturer and designer.-Biography:...
Shorthorn
Shorthorn
The Shorthorn breed of cattle originated in the North East of England in the late 18th century. The breed was developed as dual purpose, suitable for both dairy and beef production; however there were always certain blood lines within the breed which emphasised one quality or the other...
s and Longhorn
Longhorn
Longhorn may refer to:Animals:* Longhorn cattle, a traditional long horned brown and white breed of cattle* Texas longhorn , a breed of cattle* Highland cattle, sometimes called Highland longhorn...
s. After soloing, he shipped out to RAF Turnberry's Gunnery School, then to RAF Ayr's Fighting School. He then went on to Shawbury
Shawbury
Shawbury is a village and civil parish in the English county of Shropshire. The village is north east of the town of Shrewsbury, north west of Telford and north west of London. The village straddles the A53 between Shrewsbury and Market Drayton...
to polish his skills in both 67 and 10 Training Squadrons. On 22 November 1917, he was forwarded to Italy to join 66 Squadron, arriving 29 December 1917.
On 11 March 1918, he was on patrol at 14000 feet (4,267.2 m) altitude with Alan Jerrard
Alan Jerrard
Flight Lieutenant Alan Jerrard VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
and Peter Carpenter
Peter Carpenter
Captain Peter Carpenter was a fighter ace in World War I credited with 24 victories.-Early life:Peter Carpenter was born in Cardiff, Wales to Peter S. and Jane Carpenter, who had eight other children....
when they attacked half a dozen enemy airplanes. Apps sent one down out of control; Carpenter saw it drop into a deep gully. Later that month, on the 28th, Apps fired 300 rounds of machine gun ammo into an enemy Albatros D.III
Albatros D.III
The Albatros D.III was a biplane fighter aircraft used by the Imperial German Army Air Service and the Austro-Hungarian Air Service during World War I. The D.III was flown by many top German aces, including Manfred von Richthofen, Ernst Udet, Erich Löwenhardt, Kurt Wolff, and Karl Emil Schäfer...
, chasing it downwards from 10000 feet (3,048 m) to just 400 feet (121.9 m); he was credited with its destruction over Spresiano
Spresiano
Spresiano is a comune in the Province of Treviso in the Italian region Veneto, located about 40 km north of Venice and about 13 km north of Treviso...
.
On 4 May 1918, Apps set one opposing Albatros down in flames on the banks of the Piave River
Piave River
Piave is a river in north Italy. It begins in the Alps and flows southeast for into the Adriatic Sea near the city of Venice....
and downed another making headon firing passes on him. The latter foe crawled from the wreckage only to be strafed by another British pilot; this victim was probably Austro-Hungarian ace Andreas Dombrowski
Andreas Dombrowski
Feldwebel Andreas Dombrowski was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories. He was born in Mahrisch-Ostrau.- References :...
. On 24 May, Apps became an ace while flying as wingman
Wingman
A wingman is a pilot who supports another in a potentially dangerous flying environment. Wingman was originally a term referring to the plane flying beside and slightly behind the lead plane in an aircraft formation....
to famed ace "Billy" Barker
William Barker
William Barker may refer to:*William Barker , English translator and MP for Great Yarmouth and Bramber*Sir William Barker, 5th Baronet , British Member of Parliament for Ipswich, Thetford and Suffolk...
, being credited with another Albatros D.III destroyed.
Apps scored in both morning and evening of 21 June 1918, destroying an Albatros D.V
Albatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
and driving another down out of control. A week later, he destroyed an Albatros D.III. On 13 July, he destroyed an Austro-Hungarian Berg D.I fighter. On the 16th, he shared in driving down an enemy two-seater reconnaissance craft out of control for his tenth win.
The day after his last win, on 17 July 1918, Apps was wounded by anti-aircraft shrapnel. On 2 August, he was shipped to France for treatment at 62 General Hospital. When discharged as fit for duty on 5 September, he returned to duty with his home squadron. He spent a short spell with them, during which he claimed an unconfirmed win on 16 September.
He won a Distinguished Flying Cross for his exploits; it was promulgated in the London Gazette 21 September 1918:
Apps returned to Home Establishment in England. His posting over the next month is uncertain, but he spent November and December 1918 in a wireless course at Penshurst
Penshurst Airfield
Penshurst Airfield was an airfield in operation between 1916–36 and 1940–46. Initially a military airfield, after the First World War it was used as an alternate destination to Croydon Airport, with some civil flying taking place...
. He then served with 50 Squadron until discharged on 19 March 1919.
Post World War I
For about two and a half years postwar, Apps supervised a construction crew of approximately 100 in building the Imperial Wireless ChainImperial Wireless Chain
The Imperial Wireless Chain, also known as the Empire Wireless Chain, was a strategic international wireless telegraphy communications network, created to link the countries of the British Empire. Although the idea was conceived prior to World War I, Britain was the last of the world's Great Powers...
. A short-term job in Canada followed. In the meantime, Apps applied to the Royal Canadian Air Force. He joined his old commander "Billy" Barker in the new air force on 19 March 1924. After a round of assignments to Winnipeg, Victoria Beach
Victoria Beach
Victoria Beach may refer to* Victoria Beach, Manitoba* Victoria Beach, Nova Scotia...
, Barrie
Barrie
Barrie may refer to:* Barrie, city in Ontario, Canada* Barrie , Canadian federal electoral district* Barrie , provincial electoral district* Barrie—Simcoe—Bradford, former Canadian electoral district...
, and Norway House, he was posted to an aerial survey project in 1926, tasked to photograph 25000 square miles (64,749.7 km²) in the Red Lake District
Red Lake, Ontario
Population trend:* Population in 2006: 4526* Population in 2001: 4233* Population total in 1996: 4778** Golden : 2248** Red Lake : 2277* Population in 1991:** Golden : 2355** Red Lake : 2268-Climate:...
.
Apps married Norma Clairs Kennedy at RCAF Station Winnipeg on 10 December 1927. Three years later, he was sent to RAF Calshot
RAF Calshot
RAF Calshot was initially a seaplane and flying boat station, and latterly an RAF marine craft maintenance and training unit. It was located at the end of Calshot Spit in Southampton Water, Hampshire, England, at...
, England for a technical course. He spent 15 December 1930 through 19 January 1931 on leave in England. The course ran from 20 January until April, and Apps took another leave post-course. His father Henry Apps died during this time; this may have given reason for some of the leave. By 28 May 1931, Gordon Apps had returned to RCAF duty at Camp Borden.
On 24 October 1931, Apps was flying Fairchild 71
Fairchild 71
-Bibliography:* Donald, David, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada: Prospero Books, 1997. ISBN 1-85605-375-X.* Milberry, Larry. Aviation In Canada. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd., 1979. ISBN 0-07-082778-8....
serial no. 114 with Sergeant Frank Hand aboard. Apps fatally crashed while landing at Peterborough Airport
Peterborough Airport
Peterborough Airport, , is located south-southwest of the city of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. The airport includes a main asphalt runway oriented east-west, and a smaller turf runway oriented northwest-southeast. A new terminal building is to be completed in 2011...
. His burial, accompanied by a RCAF military escort, was held in Winnipeg at the Chapel of Thompson Mortuary. He was buried at St. Johns
St. Johns (provincial electoral district)
St. Johns is a provincial electoral division in the Canadian province of Manitoba. It was created by redistribution in 1957, and has formally existed since 1958. It is located in the north-end of Winnipeg. The constituency is bordered by Kildonan to the north and west, Burrows to the west, Elmwood...
.