William Molesworth (British Army officer)

2021-08-07T13:14:01Z

2A00:23C5:B320:DF00:F456:9335:2345:3D76: /* References */

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}

{{Infobox military person
| name = William Earle Molesworth
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1894|03|14}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1955|10|22|1894|03|14}}
| birth_place = [[Andaman Islands]], [[British Raj|India]]
| death_place = [[Reading, Berkshire]], [[England]]
| placeofburial_label =
| placeofburial = Henley Road Cemetery, Reading
| placeofburial_coordinates = {{coord|51|28|33|N|0|57|16|W|display=inline,title}}
| nickname = "-Moley"
| allegiance = United Kingdom
| branch = British Army Royal Air Force
| serviceyears = 1914–1941
| servicenumber = 8675
| rank = [[Lieutenant colonel (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant Colonel]]
| unit = {{Plainlist|
* [[Royal Munster Fusiliers]]
* [[No. 60 Squadron RAF|No. 60 Squadron RFC]]
* [[No. 29 Squadron RAF|No. 29 Squadron RFC]]
* [[Royal Sussex Regiment]]
* [[Royal Tank Regiment|Royal Tank Corps/Regiment]]
}}
| commands = [[No. 158 Squadron RAF]]
| battles = [[World War I]] {{*}}[[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]] [[World War II]]
| awards = [[Military Cross]] [[Medal bar|& Bar]] ''[[Silver Medal of Military Valor]]'' (Italy)
| relations =
| laterwork =
}}
[[Lieutenant colonel (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant-Colonel]] '''William Earle Molesworth''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MC1}} (14 March 1894 – 22 October 1955) was a British [[World War I|First World War]] [[flying ace]] credited with eighteen aerial victories.<ref name="theaerodrome">{{cite web |url=http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/ireland/molesworth.php |title=William Earle Molesworth |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |accessdate=24 June 2015}}</ref>

==Biography==
Molesworth was born on 14 March 1894, the son of Lieutenant Colonel William Molesworth {{post-nominals|country=GBR|CBE|CIE|sep=yes}}, of the [[Indian Medical Service]],<ref>''Marlborough College Register'' 1843–1933 & ''Roll of the Indian Medical Service'' 1615–1930.</ref> and Winifred Anne Weeks.<ref name="thepeerage">{{cite web |url= http://www.thepeerage.com/p51375.htm |title=William Earle Molesworth |first=Darryl |last=Lundy |work=The Peerage.com |year=2015 |accessdate=24 June 2015}}</ref>

He attended [[Marlborough College]] from 1908 to 1912, then trained for an army career at the [[Royal Military College, Sandhurst]], from 1912 to 1914.<ref name="theaerodrome"/> On 8 August 1914, four days after Britain entered the [[World War I|First World War]], he was [[Officer (armed forces)|commissioned]] as a [[second lieutenant]] into the [[Royal Munster Fusiliers]].<ref>{{London Gazette |date=7 August 1914 |issue=28864 |page=6206}}</ref>

From October 1914 Molesworth served in the [[Trench warfare|trenches]] on the Western Front in France.<ref name="theaerodrome"/> He was promoted to [[Lieutenant (British Army and Royal Marines)|lieutenant]] on 15 November 1914,<ref>{{London Gazette |date=8 December 1914 |supp=y |issue=29001 |page=10560 |nolink=yes}}</ref> later backdated to 30 August 1914.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=23 April 1915 |supp=y |issue=29143 |page=4050 |nolink=yes}}</ref> He was wounded in December, but returned to duty and served with the Fusiliers until March 1916.<ref name="theaerodrome"/>

Molesworth was then seconded to the [[Royal Flying Corps]], and was appointed a [[flying officer]] on 26 December 1916,<ref>{{London Gazette |date=12 January 1917 |issue=29900 |page=499 |nolink=yes}}</ref> finally completing his flight training at [[Upavon]]'s [[Central Flying School]] in February 1917.<ref name="theaerodrome"/> He received promotion to [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|captain]] in the Royal Munster Fusiliers on 7 April 1917.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=1 June 1917 |supp=y |issue=30109 |page=5439 |nolink=yes}}</ref> He was assigned to [[No. 60 Squadron RFC]] (60 Sqn), flying [[Nieuport 17]]s, and scored his first victory on 22 April.<ref name="theaerodrome"/> On 26 April was appointed a [[flight commander]] with the temporary rank of captain,<ref>{{London Gazette |date=11 May 1917 |supp=y |issue=30067 |page=4633 |nolink=yes}}</ref> to lead "A" Flight.<ref name="theaerodrome"/> His next three triumphs were also scored flying a Nieuport; then he switched to an [[Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5|SE.5a]] for his next two in early August. He was transferred to the [[Home Establishment]] in England,<ref name="theaerodrome"/> and on 26 September 1917 he was awarded his first [[Military Cross]] (MC).<ref>{{London Gazette |date=25 September 1917 |supp=y |issue=30308 |page=9978 |nolink=yes}}</ref>

On 20 October 1917, he returned to flying Nieuports when assigned to [[No. 29 Squadron RFC]] (29 Sqn) as a captain.<ref>{{cite book |first=Norman |last=Franks |authorlink=Norman Franks |title=Nieuport Aces of World War I |location=London, UK |publisher=Osprey Publishing |year=2000 |isbn=978-1-85532-961-4 |pages=23 & 30}}</ref> He gained his first victories with them on 8 November 1917, setting an enemy reconnaissance two-seater and an [[Albatros D.V]] on fire. He then scored at a steady rate until his eighteenth and last victory on 18 March 1918.<ref name="theaerodrome"/> On 26 March 1918 he was awarded a bar to his MC.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=22 March 1918 |supp=y |issue=30597 |page=3744 |nolink=yes}}</ref>

He served as an instructor, with the temporary rank of [[Major (United Kingdom)|major]], at the [[Central Flying School]] between 26 June<ref>{{London Gazette |date=16 August 1918 |issue=30846 |page=9581 |nolink=yes}}</ref> and 4 September 1918.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=31 January 1919 |issue=31157 |page=1537 |nolink=yes}}</ref> He retained his temporary majority when appointed commander of [[No. 158 Squadron RAF]] on 3 September 1918.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=18 April 1919 |issue=31302 |page=5045 |nolink=yes}}</ref> On 12 September he was awarded the ''[[Medaglia d'Argento al Valore Militare]]'' (Silver Medal of Military Valor) by [[Italy]].<ref>{{London Gazette |date=10 September 1918 |supp=y |issue=30895 |page=10743 |nolink=yes}}</ref> He gave up command of his squadron<ref name="theaerodrome"/> and on 15 October 1919 relinquished his commission on ceasing to be employed,<ref>{{London Gazette |date=7 November 1919 |issue=31632 |page=13546 |nolink=yes}}</ref> being restored to the establishment of the Royal Munster Fusiliers.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=2 December 1919 |supp=y |issue=31670 |page=15008 |nolink=yes}}</ref>

The Royal Munster Fusiliers were disbanded on 31 July 1922, and Molesworth was serving as a Railway Traffic Officer,<ref>{{London Gazette |date=20 October 1922 |issue=32757 |page=7371 |nolink=yes}}</ref> when on 13 September 1922 he was appointed a captain in the [[Royal Sussex Regiment]], with seniority from 7 April 1917.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=12 September 1922 |issue=32746 |page=6578 |nolink=yes}}</ref> On 13 February 1924 he was transferred to the [[Royal Tank Corps]] (later the [[Royal Tank Regiment]]),<ref>{{London Gazette |date=12 February 1924 |issue=32907 |page=1271 |nolink=yes}}</ref> where he was promoted to the substantive rank of major on 28 February 1931.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=27 February 1931 |issue=33693 |page=1355 |nolink=yes}}</ref> He continued his military service into the [[World War II|Second World War]] and was promoted to [[Lieutenant colonel (United Kingdom)|lieutenant colonel]] on 1 April 1940,<ref>{{London Gazette |date=29 March 1940 |supp=y |issue=34821 |page=1895 |nolink=yes}}</ref> and retired from the army on 13 September 1941.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=26 September 1941 |supp=y |issue=35290 |page=5642 |nolink=yes}}</ref> He then worked at the [[Ministry of Supply]], until his retirement in 1954.<ref name="thepeerage"/>

==Personal life==
Molesworth married Dorothy Loftus Steele, the daughter of [[Colonel]] [[St. George Loftus Steele]], on 1 June 1918. They had a daughter Pamela, born on 14 March 1919.<ref name="thepeerage"/>

Molesworth died on 22 October 1955 in [[Reading, Berkshire]], and was buried at Henley Road Cemetery on 25 October.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=molesworth&GSiman=1&GScid=1968519&GRid=103421922& |title=William Earle Molesworth (1894–1955) |work=Find A Grave Memorial |year=2015 |accessdate=24 June 2015}}</ref>

==Awards and citations==
;Military Cross
{{quote|Captain William Earle Molesworth, Royal Munster Fusiliers and Royal Flying Corps. 
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on offensive patrol. He has frequently led his patrol against superior numbers of the enemy, destroying some and dispersing others. He has also brought down two balloons and has proved himself to be a dashing and fearless pilot of great skill and determination.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=9 January 1918 |supp=y |issue=30466 |page=631 |nolink=yes}}</ref>}}

;Bar to the Military Cross
{{quote|Captain William Earle Molesworth, MC, Royal Munster Fusiliers and Royal Flying Corps. 
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has done excellent work as patrol leader, handling his formations with great skill and courage. He has destroyed four enemy machines and driven several down out of control.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=23 August 1918 |supp=y |issue=30862 |page=9904 |nolink=yes}}</ref>}}

==List of aerial victories==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
|+Combat record<ref name="theaerodrome"/>
|-
!No.
! width="125" |Date/ Time
!Aircraft/ Serial No.
!Opponent
!Result
!Location
!Notes
|-
!colspan="7" | With [[No. 60 Squadron RFC]]
|-
|1 || 22 April 1917 @1720 || [[Nieuport 17]] (B1569) || [[Albatros D.III]] || Driven down out of control || [[Vitry-en-Artois|Vitry]] ||
|-
|2 || 24 April 1917 @1040 || Nieuport 17 (B1569) || [[Observation balloon|Balloon]] || Destroyed || [[Boiry-Notre-Dame]] ||
|-
|3 || 29 June 1917 @1800 || Nieuport 17 (B1652) || Albatros D.III || Destroyed || [[Douai]]—[[Estrées, Nord|Estrées]] ||
|-
|4 || 11 July 1917 @1410 || Nieuport 17 (B1652) || Albatros D.III || Driven down out of control || [[Quéant]] ||
|-
|5 || 5 August 1917 @2000 || [[Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a|SE.5a]] (A4851) || Albatros D.III || Destroyed (on fire) || [[Hendecourt-lès-Ransart|Hendecourt]] || Shared with Lieutenant [[Spencer B. Horn]]
|-
|6 || 9 August 1917 @0700 || S.E.5a (A8932) || [[Albatros D.V]] || Destroyed || [[Cagnicourt]] ||
|-
!colspan="7" | With [[No. 29 Squadron RFC]]
|-
|7 || 8 November 1917 @1515 || rowspan="2"| Nieuport 17 (B6812) || Albatros D.V || Destroyed (on fire) || East of [[Westrozebeke]] ||
|-
|8 || 8 November 1917 @1600 || C || Destroyed (on fire) || [[Houthulst]] Forest ||
|-
|9 || 26 November 1917 @1450 || Nieuport 17 (B6820) || Albatros D.V || Driven down out of control || South-east of Houthulst ||
|-
|10 || 3 January 1918 @1530 || Nieuport 17 (B6812) || Albatros D.V || Driven down out of control || South of [[Moorslede]] ||
|-
|11 || 22 January 1918 @1235 || Nieuport 17 (B6812) || Albatros D.V || Destroyed || North-east of [[Staden]] ||
|-
|12 || 24 January 1918 @1200 || rowspan="2"| Nieuport 17 (B6812) || C || Destroyed || North-east of [[Roulers]] ||
|-
|13 || 24 January 1918 @1310 || C || Destroyed || North of Roulers ||
|-
|14 || 29 January 1918 @1255 || Nieuport 17 (B6797) || Albatros D.V || Destroyed (on fire) || East of Moorslede ||
|-
|15 || 5 February 1918 @1020 || Nieuport 17 (B6812) || C || Driven down out of control || Moorslede—Roulers ||
|-
|16 || 21 February 1918 @1410 || Nieuport 17 (B6812) || C || Captured || [[Ypres]]—[[Zonnebeke]] ||
|-
|17 || 26 February 1918 @1100 || Nieuport 17 (B6812) || C || Destroyed || South-east of [[Beselare]] ||
|-
|18 || 18 March 1918 @1145 || Nieuport 17 (B6812) || [[Pfalz D.III]] || Destroyed || South-east of [[Rumbeke]] ||
|-
|}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Molesworth, William}}
[[Category:1894 births]]
[[Category:1955 deaths]]
[[Category:People from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands]]
[[Category:People educated at Marlborough College]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst]]
[[Category:Royal Munster Fusiliers officers]]
[[Category:Royal Flying Corps officers]]
[[Category:British World War I flying aces]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Military Cross]]
[[Category:Royal Sussex Regiment officers]]
[[Category:Royal Tank Regiment officers]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:People of British India]]

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William Molesworth (British Army officer)