Roy W. Chappell
Encyclopedia
Air Commodore Roy Williamson Chappell began his military aviation career as a British World War I flying ace
credited with 11 official aerial victories. He remained in service post-war, becoming an intelligence specialist on Japan and the Japanese military. He served through the end of World War II.
in the South African Cavalry. He then joined Inns of Court
Officers Training Corps
, and was commissioned a temporary second lieutenant
on 17 June 1916. He also underwent pilot's training, receiving Royal Aero Club
pilot's certificate number 3329 on 17 July 1916; on 24 August 1916 Second Lieutenant
R. W. Chappell was appointed a Flying Officer
in the Royal Flying Corps
. In September 1916, he was posted to 27 Squadron RFC as a Martinsyde Elephant
pilot. On 27 September 1916, he became one of the few pilots to score a victory while flying the ungainly Elephant.
On 27 March 1917, Chappell scored a second "out of control" win while piloting an Elephant. He was withdrawn from combat during May 1917 and remanded to instructor duty at the Central Flying School
. He was promoted to temporary captain and rated as a Flight Commander on 27 July 1917. In October 1917, he returned to the front as a Flight Commander and Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a fighter pilot in 41 Squadron.
On 2 February 1918, Chappell destroyed a German Albatros D.V
over Erchin
and sent another down out of control. On 6 March, he drove down a Pfalz D.III
fighter over Niergnies
, and became an ace. Ten days later, he burned a German LVG
reconnaissance two-seater over Brebières
. A week later, on 23 March 1918, he sent down an Albatros D.V over Bourlon Wood. The next day, he drove down two Fokker Dr.I
triplanes for his eighth and ninth wins. The following mid-morning, he destroyed an Albatros D.V over Sailly
. There would be one final victory on 16 May 1918; a German recon machine was sent down out of control southeast of Arras
.
Chappell carried his rank of temporary captain over into the new Royal Air Force
on its formation on 1 April 1918, although he was confirmed in this rank at some time thereafter.
, with his seniority in rank fixed as 1 August 1919.
On 10 October 1928, he was promoted to Squadron Leader
.
On 23 November 1934, he was appointed as acting but unpaid Wing Commander
. On 1 July 1935, he was confirmed as Wing Commander.
1 November 1938 saw his further promotion to Group Captain
.
On 29 September 1946, Chappell retired as a Group Captain, but retained the rank of Air Commodore
. He died on 7 February 1982, after a long retirement.
On 13 October 1923, he became supernumerary at the RAF Depot. On 11 February 1924, he was assigned to test pilot
duties at the Inland Area Aircraft Depot. On 15 January 1925, he was assigned to attend the School for Oriental Studies
. This led to his assignment as a Language Officer at Britain's Tokyo Embassy on 9 October 1925.
On 11 February 1929, Chappell was assigned to Staff Duty with the Directorate of Operations and Intelligence. On 26 September 1930, he was seconded for duty with the Imperial Japanese Navy
. On 7 April 1931, he returned to staff duty at DO&I. In June 1931, he requalified as a Japanese Interpreter, First Class.
On 12 November 1933, Chappell was appointed Officer Commanding, No. 1 Squadron. On 6 November 1935, he returned to Tokyo as an Air Attache
.
On 10 February 1938, he was a supernumerary at No. 1 RAF Depot. On 1 December 1938, he was assigned as SASO, No. 22 (Army Cooperation) Group.
On 16 September 1939, he was appointed the Deputy Director of Intelligence.
T./Capt. Roy Williamson Chappell, R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed the greatest skill and courage in leading patrols, with the result that during four days' operations the formations which he led destroyed 19 enemy aeroplanes and drove down several others, the fate of which was not observed, owing to the intensity of the fighting. He has destroyed altogether five enemy machines, and has driven down seven others out of control.
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 11 official aerial victories. He remained in service post-war, becoming an intelligence specialist on Japan and the Japanese military. He served through the end of World War II.
World War I
Chappell entered military service during December 1915 as a privatePrivate (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in the South African Cavalry. He then joined Inns of Court
Inns of Court
The Inns of Court in London are the professional associations for barristers in England and Wales. All such barristers must belong to one such association. They have supervisory and disciplinary functions over their members. The Inns also provide libraries, dining facilities and professional...
Officers Training Corps
Officers Training Corps
The Officer Training Corps is a part of the British Army which provides military leadership training to students at UK universities...
, and was commissioned a temporary second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
on 17 June 1916. He also underwent pilot's training, receiving Royal Aero Club
Royal Aero Club
The Royal Aero Club is the national co-ordinating body for Air Sport in the United Kingdom.The Aero Club was founded in 1901 by Frank Hedges Butler, his daughter Vera and the Hon Charles Rolls , partly inspired by the Aero Club of France...
pilot's certificate number 3329 on 17 July 1916; on 24 August 1916 Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
R. W. Chappell was appointed a Flying Officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
in 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...
. In September 1916, he was posted to 27 Squadron RFC as a Martinsyde Elephant
Martinsyde G.100
-See also:-References:* Aircraft of World War I, Kenneth Munson, 1967 Ian Allan ISBN 0-7110-0356-4-External links:* http://www.theaerodrome.com/aircraft/gbritain/martinsyde_g100.php* http://www.britishaircraft.co.uk/aircraftpage.php?ID=721...
pilot. On 27 September 1916, he became one of the few pilots to score a victory while flying the ungainly Elephant.
On 27 March 1917, Chappell scored a second "out of control" win while piloting an Elephant. He was withdrawn from combat during May 1917 and remanded to instructor duty at the Central Flying School
Central Flying School
The Central Flying School is the Royal Air Force's primary institution for the training of military flying instructors. Established in 1912 it is the longest existing flying training school.-History:...
. He was promoted to temporary captain and rated as a Flight Commander on 27 July 1917. In October 1917, he returned to the front as a Flight Commander and Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a fighter pilot in 41 Squadron.
On 2 February 1918, Chappell destroyed a German 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....
over Erchin
Erchin
Erchin is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.-Heraldry:-References:*...
and sent another down out of control. On 6 March, he drove 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 ...
fighter over Niergnies
Niergnies
Niergnies is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.-Heraldry:-References:*...
, and became an ace. Ten days later, he burned a German LVG
LVG
Luftverkehrsgesellschaft m.b.H. was a German aircraft manufacturer based in Berlin-Johannisthal, which began constructing aircraft in 1912, building Farman-type aircraft. The company constructed many reconnaissance and light bomber biplanes during World War I.The raid on London in 1916 was...
reconnaissance two-seater over Brebières
Brebières
Brebières is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:A farming and light industrial town located 12 miles east of Arras on the N50 road, at the junction with the D44 and D307, by the banks of the Scarpe river.A celebration of the potato takes...
. A week later, on 23 March 1918, he sent down an Albatros D.V over Bourlon Wood. The next day, he drove down two Fokker Dr.I
Fokker Dr.I
The Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker was a World War I fighter aircraft built by Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. The Dr.I saw widespread service in the spring of 1918...
triplanes for his eighth and ninth wins. The following mid-morning, he destroyed an Albatros D.V over Sailly
Sailly
Sailly may refer to the following places in France:*Sailly, Ardennes, a commune in the Ardennes department*Sailly, Haute-Marne, a commune in the Haute-Marne department*Sailly, Saône-et-Loire, a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department...
. There would be one final victory on 16 May 1918; a German recon machine was sent down out of control southeast of Arras
Arras
Arras is the capital of the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France. The historic centre of the Artois region, its local speech is characterized as a Picard dialect...
.
Chappell carried his rank of temporary captain over into the new Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
on its formation on 1 April 1918, although he was confirmed in this rank at some time thereafter.
Promotions
On 28 October 1919, Chappell was granted a permanent commission in the Royal Air Force as a Flight LieutenantFlight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
, with his seniority in rank fixed as 1 August 1919.
On 10 October 1928, he was promoted to Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
.
On 23 November 1934, he was appointed as acting but unpaid Wing Commander
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
. On 1 July 1935, he was confirmed as Wing Commander.
1 November 1938 saw his further promotion to Group Captain
Group Captain
Group captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above wing commander and immediately below air commodore...
.
On 29 September 1946, Chappell retired as a Group Captain, but retained the rank of Air Commodore
Air Commodore
Air commodore is an air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
. He died on 7 February 1982, after a long retirement.
Assignments
On 5 November 1919, he was assigned as a Flight Commander in the Air Council Inspection Squadron. The Inspection Squadron morphed into 24 Squadron; Chappell was assigned as Flight Commander on 1 February 1920. He continued as a Flight Commander, transferring on 13 December 1922 to 70 Squadron, and onwards on 20 February 1923 to 84 Squadron.On 13 October 1923, he became supernumerary at the RAF Depot. On 11 February 1924, he was assigned to test pilot
Test pilot
A test pilot is an aviator who flies new and modified aircraft in specific maneuvers, known as flight test techniques or FTTs, allowing the results to be measured and the design to be evaluated....
duties at the Inland Area Aircraft Depot. On 15 January 1925, he was assigned to attend the School for Oriental Studies
School of Oriental and African Studies
The School of Oriental and African Studies is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the University of London...
. This led to his assignment as a Language Officer at Britain's Tokyo Embassy on 9 October 1925.
On 11 February 1929, Chappell was assigned to Staff Duty with the Directorate of Operations and Intelligence. On 26 September 1930, he was seconded for duty with the Imperial Japanese Navy
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...
. On 7 April 1931, he returned to staff duty at DO&I. In June 1931, he requalified as a Japanese Interpreter, First Class.
On 12 November 1933, Chappell was appointed Officer Commanding, No. 1 Squadron. On 6 November 1935, he returned to Tokyo as an Air Attache
Air attaché
An air attaché is an Air Force officer who is part of a diplomatic mission; this post is normally filled by a high-ranking officer.An air attaché typically represents the chief of his home air force in the foreign country where he serves. The day-to-day responsibilities include maintaining contacts...
.
On 10 February 1938, he was a supernumerary at No. 1 RAF Depot. On 1 December 1938, he was assigned as SASO, No. 22 (Army Cooperation) Group.
On 16 September 1939, he was appointed the Deputy Director of Intelligence.
Honors and awards
Citation for award of the Military CrossT./Capt. Roy Williamson Chappell, R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed the greatest skill and courage in leading patrols, with the result that during four days' operations the formations which he led destroyed 19 enemy aeroplanes and drove down several others, the fate of which was not observed, owing to the intensity of the fighting. He has destroyed altogether five enemy machines, and has driven down seven others out of control.