James Wellwood
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant James Joseph Wellwood was an Australian World War I flying ace
credited with seven aerial victories. After the war, he went on to a long career as an agriculturalist and husbandman at his Australian home.
, Australia on 15 October 1892, one of five brothers. Wellwood's mother died when he was ten.
on 1 June 1915. On his enlistment papers, he stated he was a born British subject working as a "motor mechanic".
He later transferred to the Australian Flying Corps, and trained as a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5 pilot. By mid 1918, he had been assigned to 2 Squadron AFC. He scored his first aerial success on 1 August 1918, destroying a German two-seated Rumpler
reconnaissance plane southeast of Lille
. On 12 August, he destroyed a Fokker D.VII
over Licourt
. Wellwood teamed with squadronmate Adrian Cole
to destroy a DFW
recon machine over Epinoy
on 25 August.
In September 1918, Wellwood struck twice, driving a Fokker D.VII down out of control on the 6th, and setting a Pfalz D.III
afire on the 24th. Wellwood's final two victories were achieved on 4 November 1918; in separate patrols, he destroyed a Fokker D.VII and drove down another out of control.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his exploits, which was
personally presented by General Sir William Birdwood on 20 March 1919.
, Australia.
Wellwood was active in horse racing as early as 1929, and became secretary of the Bunyip
Race Club in early 1933. He was selected as secretary of the Drouin branch of the United Country Party
in early 1937. He was a member of a stock cooperative marketing merino sheep from 1937 to 1941.
On 8 November 1945, Wellwood posted notice that he would not allow debts to be contracted in his name without his written authority.
James Joseph Wellwood died on 25 April 1984 in Armadale, Victoria, Australia. He was cremated at Springvale Crematorium.
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. After the war, he went on to a long career as an agriculturalist and husbandman at his Australian home.
Early life
James Joseph Wellwood was the son of Elizabeth Anne Payne and James Wellwood. He was born in DrouinDrouin
- People :* André Drouin, Canadian politician* Claude Drouin , Canadian politician* Jacques Drouin , Canadian animator* Jude Drouin , Canadian ice hockey player* Marie-Josée Drouin , Canadian economist...
, Australia on 15 October 1892, one of five brothers. Wellwood's mother died when he was ten.
Military career
Wellwood originally served in an Australian militia unit, the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery before he enlisted in the Siege Brigade of the Australian Imperial ForceAustralian Imperial Force
The Australian Imperial Force was the name given to all-volunteer Australian Army forces dispatched to fight overseas during World War I and World War II.* First Australian Imperial Force * Second Australian Imperial Force...
on 1 June 1915. On his enlistment papers, he stated he was a born British subject working as a "motor mechanic".
He later transferred to the Australian Flying Corps, and trained as a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5 pilot. By mid 1918, he had been assigned to 2 Squadron AFC. He scored his first aerial success on 1 August 1918, destroying a German two-seated Rumpler
Rumpler
The Rumpler Tropfenwagen was a car developed by Austrian engineer Edmund Rumpler.Rumpler, born in Vienna, was a designer of aircraft when on the 1921's Berlin car show he introduced the Tropfenwagen. It was to be the first streamlined car . The Rumpler had a Cw-value of only 0.28...
reconnaissance plane southeast of Lille
Lille
Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium...
. On 12 August, he destroyed a Fokker D.VII
Fokker D.VII
The Fokker D.VII was a German World War I fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz of the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. Germany produced around 3,300 D.VII aircraft in the summer and autumn of 1918. In service, the D.VII quickly proved itself to be a formidable aircraft...
over Licourt
Licourt
Licourt is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Geography:Licourt is situated on the D35 road, a mile from the A29 autoroute, some east of Amiens.-Population:-External links:*...
. Wellwood teamed with squadronmate Adrian Cole
Adrian Cole (RAAF officer)
Air Vice Marshal Adrian Lindley Trevor Cole, CBE, DSO, MC, DFC was a senior commander in the Royal Australian Air Force . Joining the army at the outbreak of World War I, he transferred to the Australian Flying Corps in 1916 and flew with No. 1 Squadron in the Middle East and No. 2...
to destroy a DFW
DFW
DFW may refer to:*Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport*Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, a metropolitan area in north Texas*Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources*Division of Fisheries and Wildlife...
recon machine over Epinoy
Épinoy
Épinoy is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:A farming village situated southeast of Arras at the junction of the N43 and D21 roads.-Population:-Places of interest:* Traces of an old castle....
on 25 August.
In September 1918, Wellwood struck twice, driving a Fokker D.VII down out of control on the 6th, and setting a Pfalz D.III
Pfalz D.III
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gray, Peter and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. London: Putnam, 1962. ISBN 0-93385-271-1.* Grosz, Peter M. Pfalz D.IIIa . Berkhamsted, Herts, UK: Albatros Publications, 1995. ISBN 0-94841-425-1.* Guttman, Jon. Balloon-Busting Aces of World War 1 ...
afire on the 24th. Wellwood's final two victories were achieved on 4 November 1918; in separate patrols, he destroyed a Fokker D.VII and drove down another out of control.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his exploits, which was
personally presented by General Sir William Birdwood on 20 March 1919.
Post World War I
Wellwood married Myra Cantor on 28 June 1924 at Trinity Church, Hampton, VictoriaHampton, Victoria
Hampton is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 14 km south east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Bayside. At the 2006 Census, Hampton had a population of 11,825.Hampton is located in a wealthy bayside area of Melbourne, wedged between the...
, Australia.
Wellwood was active in horse racing as early as 1929, and became secretary of the Bunyip
Bunyip, Victoria
Bunyip is a town in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia, 77 km east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Cardinia...
Race Club in early 1933. He was selected as secretary of the Drouin branch of the United Country Party
United Country Party
The United Country Party was a minor political party in the United Kingdom during the late 1970s. The Party was against immigration, inflation and the excesses of the 'Winter of Discontent', claiming to represent 'people with common sense'....
in early 1937. He was a member of a stock cooperative marketing merino sheep from 1937 to 1941.
On 8 November 1945, Wellwood posted notice that he would not allow debts to be contracted in his name without his written authority.
James Joseph Wellwood died on 25 April 1984 in Armadale, Victoria, Australia. He was cremated at Springvale Crematorium.