Hubert Jones
Encyclopedia
Hubert William Godfrey Jones (7 October 1890 – 14 May 1943), also known as Hubert Wilson Godfrey Jones Penderel, was a World War I
flying ace
credited with seven aerial victories.
Hubert Jones was born in Llandudno
, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Jones. His brother, Captain E.A.H. Penderel of the Tank Corps and Royal Fusiliers resided at Garth, Rhyd-y-fro, Pontardawe
. On 18 October 1928 he assumed the surname of Penderel. On 30 March 1929 at All Saints Cathedral Cairo, he married Aetheldreda Luxton, daughter of Mr and Mrs Luxton Loney, of Ocean Avenue, Edgecliff In 1931 he petitioned the High Court for nullity of marriage.
On 14 May 1943 Group Captain (Pilot) Penderel of RAF Middle Wallop, having passed through RAF Martlesham Heath
, on a secret trial flight in Hurricane HV 895 over the Sudbourne
battle training area, crashed and was killed at Orford Ness
. His ashes were interred at Llanguicke (St. Ciwg) Churchyard.
School of Flying, Hendon
, and was appointed on 22 July as a Flying Officer to the Royal Flying Corps
Military Wing.
On 26 March 1917 Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) Hubert William Godfrey Jones, Welsh Regiment and R.F.C., was awarded the Military Cross "for conspicuous gallantry in action. With a patrol of three scouts he attacked a hostile formation of ten enemy machines. Although
wounded, he continued the combat and drove down an enemy machine. Later, although again wounded, he remained with his patrol until the enemy retired."
In The Rolls of Honours in Flight on 1 March 1917 and 5 April 1917 Captain Jones was reported by the War Office as wounded.
On 26 May 1917 Captain Jones was awarded the Italian Silver Medal for Military Valour
.
On 2 August 1917 Jones was appointed as an Instructor at the Central Flying School.
On 22 January 1919 the Air Ministry officially recorded that Captain Jones had rendered valuable war service in the Royal Air Force.
On 30 June 1923 the 4th Royal Air Force Display at Hendon was held before King George V, the Queen and the Duke and Duchess of York. Flight Lieutenant Jones was one of the three member RAF Northolt team which came second in the relay race.
On 4 July 1926 the 7th Royal Air Force Display at Hendon was held before the King and Queen of England, King Alfonso and the Queen of Spain, the Duke of York and the Secretary of State for Air Sir Samuel Hoare. The "event of the day" was "an exhibition of Group evolutions of two wings of three Fighter Squadrons of nine machines—54 in all." Squadron Leader Jones led Fighter Squadron No. 19 from Duxford flying Gloster Grebes. Flight said, "It was, without doubt, one of the most wonderful displays of skilful piloting that has yet been presented at any of the Displays". Jones also led No. 19 Fighter Squadron in a low-bombing competition involving an attack on a moving tank in which "several direct hits were scored".
On 30 June 1928 the 9th Royal Air Force Display at Hendon was held before King George V and the Queen, the King of Spain and the Duke of York and an estimated crowd of 150,000. Squadron Leader Jones led No. 19 Squadron in a dive bombing display.
In August 1928 in the Air Manouevres, Squadron Leader Jones led No. 19 Duxford Squadron of Siskins, being one of 12 fighter squadrons forming part of the defence force in the manoeuvres, "to test the efficiency of units and to teach lessons in co-ordination of air and ground defence, flying organization, spotting arrangements, fighting tactics etc."
Between 12 January and 13 March 1931, Squadron Leader Penderel commanded the No. 216 (Bomber) Squadron RAF
formation 6,000 miles return flight, of three Vickers Victoria
troop carriers from their base at Heliopolis Aerodrome Cairo to Capetown, where he was welcomed on 7 February by the Governor-General Earl of Clarendon
and Lady Clarendon.
On 3 June 1931 Squadron Leader Penderel was awarded the Air Force Cross
which, on 25 June 1931, was conferred on him by His Majesty King George V
at Buckingham Palace.
On 1 December 1937 Wing Commander Penderel was appointed to command the School of Naval Co-operation
, Ford.
On 26 September 1939 Group Captain Penderel was the first commander of No. 201 Group RAF
, which was formed from General Reconnaissance Group, Middle East of the Royal Air Force (RAF).
Promotions and Other Appointments:
.
On 12 August 1924 in the Third King's Cup Round Britain Race
, Jones piloted a Siddeley Siskin III
with a 395 Siddeley "Jaguar" engine, entered by Sir Glynn Hamilton West. The course was about 950 miles (1,528.9 km) starting from Martlesham Heath
and finishing at Lee-on-Solent. Jones was placed 4th out of 9 competitors. Jones was photographed alighting from his machine at Gosport
, and later crossing the finishing line in the time of 7 hours 34 minutes 12 seconds under the caption, "The fastest machine in the King's Cup Race."
On 3−4 July 1925 in the Fourth King's Cup Circuit of Britain Race, Jones piloted an Armstrong-Whitworth Siskin IV, entered by Sir Glynn Hamilton West. The 1608 miles (2,587.8 km) handicap race started and finished in Croydon
and comprised two circuits of Britain. Jones finished 2nd out of 14 competitors, and was photographed "receiving congratulations" under the caption, "He started in the race as a Flight-Lieutenant, and finished up as a Squadron-Leader!"
On 9−10 July 1926 in the Fifth King's Cup Air Race, Jones piloted a Martinsyde A.D.C.1
with a 395 Siddeley "Jaguar" engine, entered by Lt. Col. M.O. Darby. The handicap race of 1464 miles (2,356.1 km) started and finished at Hendon
. Jones won two prizes: 3rd out of 14 competitors; and the "fastest" time of 9 hours 45 minutes 14 seconds at an average speed of 151.9 mph (67.9 m/s).
On 15 July 1931 in the Hanworth–Blackpool Air Race, Penderel piloted a Spartan Arrow
, entered by Colonel Louis Strange
and he finished 1st out of 14 competitors.
On 30 June 1934 in the Fifteenth Royal Air Force Display at Hendon
, Penderel represented RAF Fighting Area HQ and was one of ten competitors who piloted a Fury
Kestrel IIs in the 14 miles Headquarters Race. Flight
describes the scene, "The scratch man, Wing Com. Penderel, Fighting Area, had already overtaken several others when he came round over the enclosures on the first lap, and from then on he could be seen overhauling other machines steadily." Due to the efficacy of the handicapping, Penderel finished outside the first three places.
. One of his expeditions with Count László Almásy
loosely formed the basis for "The English Patient." On 8 January 1934, Penderel gave a lecture on his expeditions to the Royal Geographical Society, who admitted him as a Fellow of their society, F.R.G.S.
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 seven aerial victories.
Hubert Jones was born in Llandudno
Llandudno
Llandudno is a seaside resort and town in Conwy County Borough, Wales. In the 2001 UK census it had a population of 20,090 including that of Penrhyn Bay and Penrhynside, which are within the Llandudno Community...
, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Jones. His brother, Captain E.A.H. Penderel of the Tank Corps and Royal Fusiliers resided at Garth, Rhyd-y-fro, Pontardawe
Pontardawe
Pontardawe is a town of some 5,000 inhabitants in the Swansea Valley in south Wales...
. On 18 October 1928 he assumed the surname of Penderel. On 30 March 1929 at All Saints Cathedral Cairo, he married Aetheldreda Luxton, daughter of Mr and Mrs Luxton Loney, of Ocean Avenue, Edgecliff In 1931 he petitioned the High Court for nullity of marriage.
On 14 May 1943 Group Captain (Pilot) Penderel of RAF Middle Wallop, having passed through RAF Martlesham Heath
RAF Martlesham Heath
RAF Martlesham Heath is a former Royal Air Force airfield in England. The field is located 1½ miles SW of Woodbridge, Suffolk.- RFC/RAF prewar use:Martlesham Heath was first used as a Royal Flying Corps airfield during World War I...
, on a secret trial flight in Hurricane HV 895 over the Sudbourne
Sudbourne
Sudbourne is a village and civil parish in Suffolk, England, located approximately north of Orford.Sudbourne is recognisable for Captain's Wood, a nature reserve owned by Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Crag Farm Pit which is listed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in Suffolk. Sudbourne is also...
battle training area, crashed and was killed at Orford Ness
Orford Ness
Orford Ness is a cuspate foreland shingle spit on the Suffolk coast in Great Britain, linked to the mainland at Aldeburgh and stretching along the coast to Orford and down to North Wier Point, opposite Shingle Street. It is divided from the mainland by the River Alde, and was formed by longshore...
. His ashes were interred at Llanguicke (St. Ciwg) Churchyard.
Military service
In July 1916 Captain H.W.G. Jones attained his aviator's certificate at the BeattyGeorge William Beatty
George William Beatty was a pioneer aviator who set early altitude and distance records, including one record set on the same day that he flew his first solo flight.-Early life and education:...
School of Flying, Hendon
Hendon Aerodrome
Hendon Aerodrome was an aerodrome in Hendon, north London, England that, between 1908 and 1968, was an important centre for aviation.It was situated in Colindale, seven miles north west of Charing Cross. It nearly became "the Charing Cross of the UK's international air routes", but for the...
, and was appointed on 22 July as a Flying Officer 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...
Military Wing.
On 26 March 1917 Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) Hubert William Godfrey Jones, Welsh Regiment and R.F.C., was awarded the Military Cross "for conspicuous gallantry in action. With a patrol of three scouts he attacked a hostile formation of ten enemy machines. Although
wounded, he continued the combat and drove down an enemy machine. Later, although again wounded, he remained with his patrol until the enemy retired."
In The Rolls of Honours in Flight on 1 March 1917 and 5 April 1917 Captain Jones was reported by the War Office as wounded.
On 26 May 1917 Captain Jones was awarded the Italian Silver Medal for Military Valour
Silver Medal of Military Valor
The Silver Medal of Military Valor is an Italian medal for gallantry.Italian medals for valor were first instituted by Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia on May 21, 1793, with a gold medal, and, below it, a silver medal...
.
On 2 August 1917 Jones was appointed as an Instructor at the Central Flying School.
On 22 January 1919 the Air Ministry officially recorded that Captain Jones had rendered valuable war service in the Royal Air Force.
On 30 June 1923 the 4th Royal Air Force Display at Hendon was held before King George V, the Queen and the Duke and Duchess of York. Flight Lieutenant Jones was one of the three member RAF Northolt team which came second in the relay race.
On 4 July 1926 the 7th Royal Air Force Display at Hendon was held before the King and Queen of England, King Alfonso and the Queen of Spain, the Duke of York and the Secretary of State for Air Sir Samuel Hoare. The "event of the day" was "an exhibition of Group evolutions of two wings of three Fighter Squadrons of nine machines—54 in all." Squadron Leader Jones led Fighter Squadron No. 19 from Duxford flying Gloster Grebes. Flight said, "It was, without doubt, one of the most wonderful displays of skilful piloting that has yet been presented at any of the Displays". Jones also led No. 19 Fighter Squadron in a low-bombing competition involving an attack on a moving tank in which "several direct hits were scored".
On 30 June 1928 the 9th Royal Air Force Display at Hendon was held before King George V and the Queen, the King of Spain and the Duke of York and an estimated crowd of 150,000. Squadron Leader Jones led No. 19 Squadron in a dive bombing display.
In August 1928 in the Air Manouevres, Squadron Leader Jones led No. 19 Duxford Squadron of Siskins, being one of 12 fighter squadrons forming part of the defence force in the manoeuvres, "to test the efficiency of units and to teach lessons in co-ordination of air and ground defence, flying organization, spotting arrangements, fighting tactics etc."
Between 12 January and 13 March 1931, Squadron Leader Penderel commanded the No. 216 (Bomber) Squadron RAF
No. 216 Squadron RAF
No. 216 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Lockheed Tristar K1, KC1 and C2 from RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire.- History :216 Squadron was formed at RAF Manston by re-numbering No. 16 Squadron RNAS when the RAF was established in 1918, hence it is always spoken of as 'two-sixteen Squadron'...
formation 6,000 miles return flight, of three Vickers Victoria
Vickers Victoria
-See also:...
troop carriers from their base at Heliopolis Aerodrome Cairo to Capetown, where he was welcomed on 7 February by the Governor-General Earl of Clarendon
George Villiers, 6th Earl of Clarendon
George Herbert Hyde Villiers, 6th Earl of Clarendon KG, PC , known as Lord Hyde from 1877 to 1914, was a British Conservative politician...
and Lady Clarendon.
On 3 June 1931 Squadron Leader Penderel was awarded the Air Force Cross
Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)
The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"...
which, on 25 June 1931, was conferred on him by His Majesty King George V
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
at Buckingham Palace.
On 1 December 1937 Wing Commander Penderel was appointed to command the School of Naval Co-operation
750 Naval Air Squadron
The Royal Navy Observer School grew out of HM Naval Seaplane Training School at RNAS Lee-on-Solent as a result of a series of changes of identity and parent unit. From 1918 until 1939 the Royal Air Force was responsible for naval aviation, including training and provision of aircrew to the Royal...
, Ford.
On 26 September 1939 Group Captain Penderel was the first commander of No. 201 Group RAF
No. 201 Group RAF
No. 201 Group was a group of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.-History:No. 201 Group RAF was formed on 18 September 1939 from General Reconnaissance Group, Middle East of the Royal Air Force . The group was initially commanded by Group Captain H.W.G. Penderel. On May 11, 1940, Group...
, which was formed from General Reconnaissance Group, Middle East of the Royal Air Force (RAF).
Promotions and Other Appointments:
- 17 April 1913 2nd Lieutenant 4th Battalion The Welsh Regiment.
- 28 January 1915 Temporary Lieutenant.
- 11 August 1915 Temporary Captain.
- 22 July 1916 Flying Officer.
- 10 February 1917 Flight Commander.
- 2 August 1917 Central Flying School Instructor.
- 1 July 1918 Temporary Major.
- 1 August 1919 Captain with a permanent commission in the RAF.
- 17 September 1921 RAF No. 28 Squadron (India).
- 19 October 1922 RAF Depot (Inland Area) (Supernumerary).
- 4 April 1923 RAF No. 41 Squadron, Northolt.
- 1 July 1925 Squadron Leader.
- 20 October 1928 RAF No. 216 Squadron Middle East.
- 1 January 1933 Wing Commander.
- 5 October 1933 HQ Fighting Area, RAF UxbridgeRAF UxbridgeRAF Uxbridge was a Royal Air Force station in Uxbridge within the London Borough of Hillingdon. Its grounds covered originally belonging to the Hillingdon House estate, which was purchased by the British Government in 1915, three years before the founding of the RAF...
for personnel staff duties. - 1 January 1938 Group Captain.
Air racing
Hubert Jones piloted flying machines in British air races during the 1920s and 1930s, his skill being such that he was alloted a scratch handicapCouncil Of National Golf Unions
-History:The British Golf Unions Joint Advisory Committee, later The Council Of National Golf Unions , came into existence at a conference held in York on 14 February 1924...
.
On 12 August 1924 in the Third King's Cup Round Britain Race
King's Cup Race
The King's Cup Race is an annual British handicapped cross-country air race, first contested on 8 September 1922. The event was open to British pilots only, but that did include members of the Commonwealth....
, Jones piloted a Siddeley Siskin III
Armstrong Whitworth Siskin
The Armstrong Whitworth Siskin was a British biplane single-seat fighter aircraft of the 1920s produced by Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft. The Siskin was one of the first new RAF fighters to enter service after the First World War; it was noted for its aerobatic qualities.-Design and development:The...
with a 395 Siddeley "Jaguar" engine, entered by Sir Glynn Hamilton West. The course was about 950 miles (1,528.9 km) starting from Martlesham Heath
RAF Martlesham Heath
RAF Martlesham Heath is a former Royal Air Force airfield in England. The field is located 1½ miles SW of Woodbridge, Suffolk.- RFC/RAF prewar use:Martlesham Heath was first used as a Royal Flying Corps airfield during World War I...
and finishing at Lee-on-Solent. Jones was placed 4th out of 9 competitors. Jones was photographed alighting from his machine at Gosport
Gosport
Gosport is a town, district and borough situated on the south coast of England, within the county of Hampshire. It has approximately 80,000 permanent residents with a further 5,000-10,000 during the summer months...
, and later crossing the finishing line in the time of 7 hours 34 minutes 12 seconds under the caption, "The fastest machine in the King's Cup Race."
On 3−4 July 1925 in the Fourth King's Cup Circuit of Britain Race, Jones piloted an Armstrong-Whitworth Siskin IV, entered by Sir Glynn Hamilton West. The 1608 miles (2,587.8 km) handicap race started and finished in Croydon
Croydon Airport
Croydon Airport was an airport in South London which straddled the boundary between what are now the London boroughs of Croydon and Sutton. It was the main airport for London before it was replaced by Northolt Aerodrome, London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport...
and comprised two circuits of Britain. Jones finished 2nd out of 14 competitors, and was photographed "receiving congratulations" under the caption, "He started in the race as a Flight-Lieutenant, and finished up as a Squadron-Leader!"
On 9−10 July 1926 in the Fifth King's Cup Air Race, Jones piloted a Martinsyde A.D.C.1
Martinsyde Buzzard
The Martinsyde F.4 Buzzard was developed as a powerful and fast biplane fighter for the Royal Air Force , but the end of the First World War led to the abandonment of large-scale production. Fewer than 400 were eventually produced, with many exported...
with a 395 Siddeley "Jaguar" engine, entered by Lt. Col. M.O. Darby. The handicap race of 1464 miles (2,356.1 km) started and finished at Hendon
Hendon Aerodrome
Hendon Aerodrome was an aerodrome in Hendon, north London, England that, between 1908 and 1968, was an important centre for aviation.It was situated in Colindale, seven miles north west of Charing Cross. It nearly became "the Charing Cross of the UK's international air routes", but for the...
. Jones won two prizes: 3rd out of 14 competitors; and the "fastest" time of 9 hours 45 minutes 14 seconds at an average speed of 151.9 mph (67.9 m/s).
On 15 July 1931 in the Hanworth–Blackpool Air Race, Penderel piloted a Spartan Arrow
Spartan Arrow
-External links:** in Flight, November 7, 1930....
, entered by Colonel Louis Strange
Louis Strange
Louis Arbon Strange DSO OBE MC DFC was an early English aviator, World War I and World War II airman.- Early life :Louis Strange was born in Dorset and was educated at St Edward's School Oxford, joining the school's contingent of the Dorset Yeomanry.Strange spent his childhood at Tarrant Keynstone...
and he finished 1st out of 14 competitors.
On 30 June 1934 in the Fifteenth Royal Air Force Display at Hendon
Hendon Aerodrome
Hendon Aerodrome was an aerodrome in Hendon, north London, England that, between 1908 and 1968, was an important centre for aviation.It was situated in Colindale, seven miles north west of Charing Cross. It nearly became "the Charing Cross of the UK's international air routes", but for the...
, Penderel represented RAF Fighting Area HQ and was one of ten competitors who piloted a Fury
Hawker Fury
The Hawker Fury was a British biplane fighter aircraft used by the Royal Air Force in the 1930s. It was originally named the Hornet and was the counterpart to the Hawker Hart light bomber.-Design and development:...
Kestrel IIs in the 14 miles Headquarters Race. Flight
Flight International
Flight International is a global aerospace weekly publication produced in the UK. Founded in 1909, it is the world's oldest continuously published aviation news magazine...
describes the scene, "The scratch man, Wing Com. Penderel, Fighting Area, had already overtaken several others when he came round over the enclosures on the first lap, and from then on he could be seen overhauling other machines steadily." Due to the efficacy of the handicapping, Penderel finished outside the first three places.
Exploration
Between 1932 and 1933 Penderel undertook a number of expeditions to explore Gilf KebirGilf Kebir
Gilf Kebir is a plateau in the New Valley Governorate of the remote southwest corner of Egypt, and southeast Libya. Its name translates as "the Great Barrier"...
. One of his expeditions with Count László Almásy
László Almásy
László Ede Almásy de Zsadány et Törökszentmiklós was a Hungarian aristocrat, motorist, desert researcher, aviator, Scout-leader and soldier who also served as the basis for the protagonist in Michael Ondaatje's 1992 novel The English Patient and the movie based on it.-Biography:Almásy was born in...
loosely formed the basis for "The English Patient." On 8 January 1934, Penderel gave a lecture on his expeditions to the Royal Geographical Society, who admitted him as a Fellow of their society, F.R.G.S.