Victor Maslin Yeates

Victor Maslin Yeates (30 September 1897 — 15 December 1934), often abbreviated to VM Yeates, was an English fighter pilot in World War I.

Yeates, who was born at Dulwich, and educated at Colfe's School, joined the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps in 1916 and transferred to the Royal Flying Corps (later the Royal Air Force) in May 1917. Serving with No. 46 Squadron, to which he was posted in February 1918, he flew Sopwith Camels, was shot down twice and scored five victories thereby achieving "ace" status.

After the war, he died of tuberculosis in Fairlight Sanatorium at Hastings. He was survived by his wife Norah Phelps Yeates (née Richards) and his four children Mary, Joy Elinor (later married Christopher David Vowles), Guy Maslin and Rosalind (later married Edward Cullinan).

Yeates is now best known for his semi-autobiographical book Winged Victory, which remains well-regarded as an authentic depiction of World War I aerial combat. A biography of Yeates, "Winged Victor" by Gordon Atkin, is available from Springwater Books. Yeates' school friend Henry Williamson contributed a foreword to a republished edition of "Winged Victory".

References

* [http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/yeates.html Biographical information] on theaerodrome.com
* [http://www.crossandcockade.com/specials/winged_victor.htm Cross & Cockade] , Gordon Atkin