Richard Maybery
Encyclopedia
Captain
Richard Aveline Maybery MC and Bar
(1895–19 December 1917) was a Welsh
World War I
flying ace
.
Maybery was born in Brecon
, Powys
, Wales
in January 1895, the only son of Aveline Maybery, a solicitor
, and his wife Lucy. He was educated locally and at Wellington College, Berkshire
, before going on to the Military College
at Sandhurst.
After his graduation he joined the 21st (Empress of India's) Lancers. At the outbreak of war he served in the North West Frontier province until he was injured in a riding accident. Bored during his rehabilitation and unable to sit on a horse he became involved in observing for a unit of the Royal Flying Corps
who were based nearby.
Later he travelled to Egypt where he trained to be a pilot, before he was posted to France with 56 Squadron
, serving with aces James McCudden
, Arthur Rhys Davids
and Keith Muspratt
.
Aggressive and headstrong, Maybery quickly accumulated a high victory tally, and he scored his 21st and final victory, on 19 December 1917, when he shot down an Albatros DV over Bourlon Wood. Maybery's SE5a was then either hit by anti aircraft fire or shot down by Vzfw. Artur Weber of Jasta 5 and crashed near the village of Haynecourt
.
Maybery was buried at Flesquieres Hill British Cemetery, Nord, France
.
His wartime tally consisted of 14 and 2 shared destroyed, and 5 'out of control'.
A marble plaque dedicated to the memory of Richard Aveline Maybery, can be found in Brecon Cathedral
. The plaque includes the prayer:
, Commanding Officer of No.56 Squadron RFC, upon hearing news of the death of Captain Richard Maybery
Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)
Captain is a junior officer rank of the British Army and Royal Marines. It ranks above Lieutenant and below Major and has a NATO ranking code of OF-2. The rank is equivalent to a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy and to a Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force...
Richard Aveline Maybery MC and Bar
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....
(1895–19 December 1917) was a Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
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...
.
Maybery was born in Brecon
Brecon
Brecon is a long-established market town and community in southern Powys, Mid Wales, with a population of 7,901. It was the county town of the historic county of Brecknockshire; although its role as such was eclipsed with the formation of Powys, it remains an important local centre...
, Powys
Powys
Powys is a local-government county and preserved county in Wales.-Geography:Powys covers the historic counties of Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire, most of Brecknockshire , and a small part of Denbighshire — an area of 5,179 km², making it the largest county in Wales by land area.It is...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
in January 1895, the only son of Aveline Maybery, a solicitor
Solicitor
Solicitors are lawyers who traditionally deal with any legal matter including conducting proceedings in courts. In the United Kingdom, a few Australian states and the Republic of Ireland, the legal profession is split between solicitors and barristers , and a lawyer will usually only hold one title...
, and his wife Lucy. He was educated locally and at Wellington College, Berkshire
Wellington College, Berkshire
-Former pupils:Notable former pupils include historian P. J. Marshall, architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, impressionist Rory Bremner, Adolphus Cambridge, 1st Marquess of Cambridge, author Sebastian Faulks, language school pioneer John Haycraft, political journalist Robin Oakley, actor Sir Christopher...
, before going on to the Military College
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
at Sandhurst.
After his graduation he joined the 21st (Empress of India's) Lancers. At the outbreak of war he served in the North West Frontier province until he was injured in a riding accident. Bored during his rehabilitation and unable to sit on a horse he became involved in observing for a unit of 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...
who were based nearby.
Later he travelled to Egypt where he trained to be a pilot, before he was posted to France with 56 Squadron
No. 56 Squadron RAF
Number 56 Squadron is one of the oldest and most successful squadrons of the Royal Air Force, with battle honours from many of the significant air campaigns of both World War I and World War II...
, serving with aces James McCudden
James McCudden
James Thomas Byford McCudden VC, DSO & Bar, MC & Bar, MM was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
, Arthur Rhys Davids
Arthur Rhys Davids
Arthur Percival Foley Rhys-Davids DSO, MC & Bar was a British flying ace during the First World War...
and Keith Muspratt
Keith Muspratt
Keith Knox Muspratt MC, born 22 December 1897 in Bournemouth, England and educated at Sherborne School, was a First World War flying ace in the Royal Flying Corps with eight victories to his name.Keith Muspratt was a doctor's son from Bournemouth, Hampshire....
.
Aggressive and headstrong, Maybery quickly accumulated a high victory tally, and he scored his 21st and final victory, on 19 December 1917, when he shot down an Albatros DV over Bourlon Wood. Maybery's SE5a was then either hit by anti aircraft fire or shot down by Vzfw. Artur Weber of Jasta 5 and crashed near the village of Haynecourt
Haynecourt
Haynecourt is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.-Heraldry:-References:*...
.
Maybery was buried at Flesquieres Hill British Cemetery, Nord, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
His wartime tally consisted of 14 and 2 shared destroyed, and 5 'out of control'.
A marble plaque dedicated to the memory of Richard Aveline Maybery, can be found in Brecon Cathedral
Brecon Cathedral
Brecon Cathedral, in the town of Brecon, is the Cathedral of the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon in the Church in Wales, and seat of the Bishop of Swansea and Brecon...
. The plaque includes the prayer:
Quotes
Reminiscence of Captain Duncan Grinnell-MilneDuncan Grinnell-Milne
Captain Duncan William Grinnell-Milne MC, DFC & Bar was an English First World War pilot credited with six confirmed aerial victories, a prisoner of war, a flying ace and an author who successfully escaped from German captivity...
, Commanding Officer of No.56 Squadron RFC, upon hearing news of the death of Captain Richard Maybery