Major William Douglas Stock Sanday was a 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...

 credited with five aerial victories.

Sanday began his aviation career with 2 Squadron. On 11 October 1915, he used his Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2

Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2

The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 was a British single-engine two-seat biplane which was in service with the Royal Flying Corps from 1912 until the end of World War I. The "Bleriot" in its designation refers to the fact that, like the Bleriot types it was of tractor configuration, with the...

c in conjunction with two other friendly airplanes to force down a German Albatros two-seater and capture the air crew. In 1916, he transferred to 70 Squadron to fly a Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter. On 6 August 1916, once again with the help of a couple of compatriots, he forced two more Albatros C-types to land. A month later, on 6 September, he teamed with Bernard Beanlands to destroy a Roland C.II and kill observer ace Hans Rosencrantz

Hans Rosencrantz

Lieutenant Hans Rosencrantz was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories, shared with his pilot Wilhelm Fahlbusch.-References:...

 and pilot ace Wilhelm Fahlbusch

Wilhelm Fahlbusch

Leutnant Wilhelm Fahlbusch was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories, shared with his observer Hans Rosencrantz.-References:...

. After the Officer Commanding of 19 Squadron, Major D. H. Harvey-Kelly was killed in action on 29 April 1917, Sanday was promoted into his position. Flying a Spad VII single-seat fighter, he tallied his last win on 13 July 1917, destroying a German observation plane over 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...

.

Sources of information