Reginald Alexander John Warneford

From Alf Askin's research notes

Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.

WARNEFORD, Reginald Alexander John. (reg No. 1275).

Flight Sub-Lieutenant. 1 Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service.

London Gazetted on 11th June 1915.

VC Medal's Custodian is the Fleet Air arm Museum, Yeovilton, Somerset.

Born on 15th October 1891 at Darjeeling, India.

Died on 17th June 1915 in a plane crash at Buc Aerodrome, Paris, along with his passenger, Mr Henry Beach Needham, an American writer, who was killed. Warneford died on the way to Versailles Hospital.

Memorial on grave at Brompton Cemetery, London and also at St Michael's Church, Highworth, Wiltshire.

Digest of Citation reads: On 7th June 1915, Flight Sub-Lieutenant Warneford single-handedly attacked and completely destroyed a Zeppelin airship, LZ37, in the air. He had chased the Zeppelin from the Belgian coast near Ostend, 45 minutes later catching up with it close to Bruges. The airship, under the command of Oberleutnant von der Haegan, opened fire on his aircraft, causing him to take evasive action. For 20 minutes the German Machine-Gunners attempted to down his aircraft. After turning away to resume its course, the airship went on its way. Sub-Lieutenant Warnford managed to climb, reaching a height and 11,000 ft before diving to attack the airship. His only armament, 6 bombs weighing 20 lbs each. Flying above and along the airship's length he began to release his bombs. After a short time there was an explosion breaking the airship's back and setting it on fire. The explosion caused his aircraft to be thrown skywards and on to its back, stopping the engine. He was forced to land behind enemy lines, where after roughly half-an-hour he managed to repair and restart the engine. He took off again but was unable to find his way through the thick fog and mist before he was finally able to land on the beach at Cap Gris Nez. After obtaining fuel from a French unit he returned to his own camp at Furnes.

Additional information:. Flight Sub-Lieutenant Warneford was the son of Reginald and Alexandra ( née Campbell ) Warneford. He attended the Grammar School at Stratford upon-Avon, entering the Merchant Navy at the age of 13. In February 1915 he joined the RNAS and within four months had earned the Victoria Cross. He received a telegram from King George V saying, " I most heartily congratulate you upon your splendid achievement of yesterday, in which you, single-handed, destroyed an enemy's Zeppelin. I have much pleasure in conferring upon you the Victoria Cross for this gallant act. George, R I." General Joffre recommended the Légion d'Honneur for Warneford which he received from the General in Paris on 17th June. After the ceremony, before leaving for his unit, he took off for a short flight taking Mr Henry Beach Needham, an American writer, for his first experience of flight. The frail Farman aircraft's wings buckled as it shot up 200 feet and the aircraft virtually fell apart. Both were ejected from the aircraft before falling to the ground. Needham was killed outright and Warneford died as he was being transported to Versailles Hospital.