Oliver Redgate

Oliver Redgate
Oliver William Redgate
Born 23 November 1898
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England
Died 1929
Allegiance England
Service/branch Aviation
Rank Captain
Unit No. 9 Squadron RNAS/No. 209 Squadron RAF
Awards Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)

Captain Oliver William Redgate was a World War I flying ace credited with 16 aerial victories.[1]

Contents

Early life

Oliver William Redgate's parents were Annie Eveline Clarke Redgate and Nottingham cricketeer Oliver Redgate. He had two sisters, Arleene Annie and Ida Eveline.[2]

World War I service

He joined the Royal Naval Air Service in February 1917.[3] He scored his first victory on 25 July 1917 and sporadically registered single triumphs until he totaled 16 on 15 May 1918.[4] On that date, he sustained a leg wound serious enough to remove him from combat for the rest of the war.[5] His final tally was nine enemy aircraft destroyed, including six shared with other British pilots, and seven enemy airplanes driven down out of control, including three shared with squadron-mates.[6] He served in Home Establishment until the Armistice on 11 November 1918.[7]

Postwar life

Redgate settled in East Leake, along with his mother and sisters. He died of tuberculosis in 1929.[8]

Honors and awards

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

"Lt. (Hon. Gapt.) William Oliver Redgate.

On an occasion during the past two months when leading an offensive patrol of five machines, he observed an enemy formation of twelve aeroplanes attacking another formation of our scouts. He at once led his patrol to the aid of our second patrol, and as he approached it two enemy scouts dived at him. By skilful piloting he placed himself behind one of these machines and, diving on it, drove it to destruction. Capt. Redgate has accounted for seven enemy machines in all, and displays enterprise and courage on all occasions."[9]

Sources of information

  1. ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/redgate.php Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  2. ^ http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/NOTTSGEN/2003-11/1068354388 Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  3. ^ Sopwith Camel Aces of World War I. p. 24. 
  4. ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/redgate.php Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  5. ^ Sopwith Camel Aces of World War I. p. 24. 
  6. ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/redgate.php Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  7. ^ Sopwith Camel Aces of World War I. p. 24. 
  8. ^ http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/NOTTSGEN/2003-11/1068354388 Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  9. ^ Supplement to the London Gazette, 3 August 1918 (30827/9203)

Reference

Sopwith Camel Aces of World War 1. Norman Franks. Osprey Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1841765341, 9781841765341.


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