John Steele Ralston
Encyclopedia
Captain John Steele Ralston was a Scots World War I war hero and flying ace
. After winning a Military Cross in 1916 for lifesaving gallantry during his infantry service, he was credited with 12 official aerial victories as a fighter pilot before he was killed in action
.
Ralston was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps
on 12 June 1917. Once assigned to 84 Squadron as a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a pilot, he began to succeed in aerial warfare. On 21 October 1917, he and Kenneth Leask
drove down a German reconnaissance plane out of control. Ten days later, Ralston drove down an Albatros D.V
out of control for his second win. He would not score again until 6 December, when he teamed with Robert Grosvenor
to drive down another German recon plane. On 23 December, he ended his year with his fourth "out of control" victory, driving down another recon plane.
On 13 January 1918, Ralston became an ace when he destroyed a German two-seater reconnaissance plane over Crevecoeur. On 26 January, Lieutenant
Ralston was appointed Flight Commander with the accompanying rank of temporary captain. On 16 February, he drove down an Albatros D.V. There was a lapse then, as he did not score again until 18 June 1918, when he drove down a Fokker D.VII
. Nine days later, he put down a Pfalz D.III
near Villers-Bretonneux
. Then in July, he scored his final four wins, destroying three balloons, and assisting Norman Mawle
in the destruction of a Fokker D.VII. Ralston would be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross posthumously for his exploits, as he died on the day of his last victory, balloon busting
south of Warvillers
on 25 July 1918.
2nd Lt. John Steel Ralston, Scottish Rifles
For conspicuous gallantry in action. He
carried a wounded man 100 yards across the
open under heavy fire. He has displayed
great courage and coolness throughout the
operations.
Lieut. (T./Capt.) John Steele Ralston, M.C. (Scottish Rifles, T.F.).
An intrepid patrol leader who in recent
operations has accounted for three enemy
machines and three kite balloons. Recently
while on patrol he advanced to attack a kite
balloon; on his approach the balloon party
began to haul it down, but forcing home his
attack, he shot the balloon down in flames.
In the engagement this officer was seriously
wounded. Suffering great pain, he flew back
to our lines and tried to land, but fainted and
crashed.
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...
. After winning a Military Cross in 1916 for lifesaving gallantry during his infantry service, he was credited with 12 official aerial victories as a fighter pilot before he was killed in action
Killed in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
.
World War I
John Steele Ralston originally served with the Scottish Rifles; in November 1916, he won the Military Cross for rescuing a wounded comrade under fire.Ralston was seconded 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...
on 12 June 1917. Once assigned to 84 Squadron as a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a pilot, he began to succeed in aerial warfare. On 21 October 1917, he and Kenneth Leask
Kenneth Leask
Air Vice-Marshal Kenneth Malise Saint Clair Graeme Leask began his career as a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories. He flew over 100 sorties, and survived being shot down three times. He attained the rank of Captain, and position as Flight Commander, in No. 84 Squadron...
drove down a German reconnaissance plane out of control. Ten days later, Ralston drove down 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....
out of control for his second win. He would not score again until 6 December, when he teamed with Robert Grosvenor
Robert Grosvenor (aviator)
Captain Robert Arthur Grosvenor was a World War I flying ace credited with 16 aerial victories.He was the son of Helen Sheffield and Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Hugh Grosvenor....
to drive down another German recon plane. On 23 December, he ended his year with his fourth "out of control" victory, driving down another recon plane.
On 13 January 1918, Ralston became an ace when he destroyed a German two-seater reconnaissance plane over Crevecoeur. On 26 January, Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
Ralston was appointed Flight Commander with the accompanying rank of temporary captain. On 16 February, he drove down an Albatros D.V. There was a lapse then, as he did not score again until 18 June 1918, when he drove down 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...
. Nine days later, he put down 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 ...
near Villers-Bretonneux
Villers-Bretonneux
Villers-Bretonneux is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Geography:Villers-Bretonneux is situated some 19 km due east of Amiens, on the D1029 road and the A29 motorway.-History - World War I:...
. Then in July, he scored his final four wins, destroying three balloons, and assisting Norman Mawle
Norman Mawle
Lieutenant Norman William Reginald Mawle was a British World War I flying ace. He was credited with 12 official aerial victories during the First World War...
in the destruction of a Fokker D.VII. Ralston would be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross posthumously for his exploits, as he died on the day of his last victory, balloon busting
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....
south of Warvillers
Warvillers
Warvillers is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Population:-External links:*...
on 25 July 1918.
Honours and awards
- Text of citation for the Military Cross
2nd Lt. John Steel Ralston, Scottish Rifles
For conspicuous gallantry in action. He
carried a wounded man 100 yards across the
open under heavy fire. He has displayed
great courage and coolness throughout the
operations.
- Text of citation for the Distinguished Flying Cross
Lieut. (T./Capt.) John Steele Ralston, M.C. (Scottish Rifles, T.F.).
An intrepid patrol leader who in recent
operations has accounted for three enemy
machines and three kite balloons. Recently
while on patrol he advanced to attack a kite
balloon; on his approach the balloon party
began to haul it down, but forcing home his
attack, he shot the balloon down in flames.
In the engagement this officer was seriously
wounded. Suffering great pain, he flew back
to our lines and tried to land, but fainted and
crashed.