William Drummond Matheson

Captain William Drummond Matheson MC was a Canadian World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.[1]

William Drummond Matheson
Born7 August 1890
New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada
Died14 December 1961
New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada
Buried
AllegianceCanada
United Kingdom
Service / branchRoyal Flying Corps
RankCaptain
UnitNo. 25 Squadron RFC
AwardsMilitary Cross

Sergeant Matheson was promoted to temporary 2nd lieutenant (on probation) on 12 November 1916. He continued to serve with #25 Squadron from 12 November 1916 to 16 March 1917. Wounded by machine gun fire, his left foot had to be amputated. After his hospitalization in Canada, on 2 Oct 1918 he was posted to the School of Special Flying; and on 19 December 1918 he was again posted, this time to Headquarters.[2]

His citation for the Military Cross, published in the Supplement to the London Gazette, states:[3]

Temp. 2nd Lt. William Drummond Matheson, Genl. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading a formation of eight machines against 16 of the enemy. He drove down one hostile machine and eventually succeeded in landing his machine safely in spite of being attacked by several enemy machines. On other occasions he has brought down four hostile machines.

List of aerial victories

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See also Aerial victory standards of World War I.

No. Date/time Aircraft Foe Result Location Notes
1 22 October 1916 @ 09:00 hours Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b serial number 7007 German Scout Destroyed Southwest of Seclin Observer: William Meggitt
2 22 November 1916 FE.2b Enemy aircraft Driven down Arras
3 24 January 1917 FE.2b German scout Driven down Mericourt
4 4 March 1917 @ 11:15 hours FE.2b s/n 7025 LVG two-seater Destroyed Courrieres Observer: W. A. Barnes. Victory shared with three air crews, including Reginald Malcolm and Leonard Herbert Emsden
5 16 March 1917 FE.2b Enemy aircraft Driven down Neuvireuil[4]

References

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  1. ^ "William Drummond Matheson". theaerodrome.com.
  2. ^ "No. 29852". The London Gazette (4th supplement). 7 December 1916. p. 11944.
  3. ^ "No. 30064". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 11 May 1917. p. 4591.
  4. ^ The Aerodrome
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