Maurice Mealing

Maurice Mealing
Maurice Edmund Mealing
Born 21 July 1893
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England
Died 24 March 1918 (aged 24)
Arras Flying Services Memorial Pas de Calais, France
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch Infantry; aviation
Rank Second lieutenant
Unit Shropshire Light Infantry, No. 15 Squadron RFC, No. 56 Squadron RFC
Awards Military Cross

Second Lieutenant Maurice Edmund Mealing MC was a World War I flying ace credited with 14 aerial victories.[1][2]

While Mealing was originally an infantryman, he transferred into the Royal Flying Corps and was commissioned on 16 May 1916. He reported to 15 Squadron as an observer on 7 August, and remained with the unit until May 1917. He then received pilot's training, and joined 56 Squadron on 18 October as a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a pilot. He opened his victory roll on 30 November, destroying an Albatros D.III over Lesdain. On 10 December, he became a balloon buster when he destroyed an observation balloon.[1][2]

He began 1918 with a victory on 25 January, and another on 17 February. Then, in March, while Mealing was on the brink of acedom, the German buildup toward their last offensive supplied him with numerous opportunities. Between 8 and 24 March, he bagged ten more wins, including another balloon busted, a reconnaissance plane shared with Captain William Spurrett Fielding-Johnson and another two-seater downed while teamed with Second Lieutenant Harold Walkerdine, Lieutenant Henry John Burden, and three other British pilots.[1][2] On 24 March, he was seen pursuing a pair of German two-seaters; another report had him standing waving next to his grounded airplane. He was never seen again.[1] His Military Cross was awarded to him on 13 May 1918.[2]

Awards and honors

Text of citation for Military Cross (MC)

2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) Maurice Edmund Mealing, Shrops. L.I. and R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in aerial fighting. He destroyed three enemy machines and drove three down out of control. He also drove down an enemy balloon in flames. He always showed a splendid spirit of courage, keenness and determination.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. p. 278. 
  2. ^ a b c d http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/mealing.php Retrieved on 9 June 2010.
  3. ^ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 13 May 1918) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30681/supplements/5701 Retrieved on 9 June 2010.
  • Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920 Christopher F. Shores, Norman L. R. Franks, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1990. ISBN 0-948817-19-4, 9780948817199.


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