James Joseph Wellwood DFC (15 October 1892 – 25 October 1984) was an Australian flying ace of the First World War credited with seven aerial victories. After the war, he went on to a long career as an agriculturalist.
James Joseph Wellwood | |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 October 1892 Drouin, Victoria |
| Died | 25 October 1984 (aged 92) Armadale, Victoria |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service | Australian Imperial Force (1915–17) Australian Flying Corps (1917–19) Royal Australian Air Force (c.1939–45) |
| Years of service | 1915–1919 c.1939–1945 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Unit | No. 2 Squadron AFC |
| Battles / wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
Early life
editJames Joseph Wellwood was the son of Elizabeth Anne Payne and James Wellwood. He was born in Drouin, Australia on 15 October 1892,[1] one of five brothers.[2] Wellwood's mother died when he was ten.[1]
Military career
editWellwood originally served in an Australian militia unit, the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery before he enlisted in the Siege Brigade of the Australian Imperial Force on 1 June 1915. On his enlistment papers, he stated he was a born British subject working as a motor mechanic.[3]
He later transferred to the Australian Flying Corps, and trained as a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5 pilot. By mid-1918, he had been assigned to No. 2 Squadron AFC. He scored his first aerial success on 1 August, destroying a German two-seated Rumpler reconnaissance plane southeast of Lille. On 12 August, he destroyed a Fokker D.VII over Licourt. Wellwood teamed with squadron mate Adrian Cole to destroy a DFW recon machine over Epinoy on 25 August.[4]
In September 1918, Wellwood struck twice, driving a Fokker D.VII down out of control on the 6th, and setting a Pfalz D.III afire on the 24th. Wellwood's final two victories were achieved on 4 November 1918; in separate patrols, he destroyed a Fokker D.VII and drove down another out of control.[4]
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his exploits,[5] which was personally presented by General Sir William Birdwood on 20 March 1919.[6]
Postwar
editWellwood married Myra Cantor on 28 June 1924 at Trinity Church, Hampton, Victoria, Australia.[1]
Wellwood was active in horse racing as early as 1929,[7] and became secretary of the Bunyip Race Club in early 1933.[8] He was selected as secretary of the Drouin branch of the United Country Party in early 1937.[9] He was a member of a stock cooperative marketing merino sheep from 1937 to 1941.[10][11][12]
On 8 November 1945, Wellwood posted notice that he would not allow debts to be contracted in his name without his written authority.[13]
James Joseph Wellwood died on 25 April 1984 in Armadale, Victoria, Australia. He was cremated at Springvale Crematorium.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Descendents of John Coate and Betty Sherrad". Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "Australians on Service". The Argus. 26 August 1919. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- ^ "James Wellwood - Attestation". The Aerodrome. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- ^ a b "James Wellwood". The Aerodrome. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- ^ "No. 31378". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 June 1919. p. 7031.
- ^ "Medals for Gallantry". The Argus. 13 March 1920. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- ^ "Mornington Races". The Examiner. 11 April 1929. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- ^ "Bunyip Race Club". The Argus. 31 January 1933. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- ^ "News from Cities and Towns". The Argus. 3 April 1937. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- ^ "Prime Wether Mutton Firmer at Flemington". The Argus. 28 March 1941. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- ^ "Lower Trend in Fat Stock Values". The Argus. 30 June 1937. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- ^ "Easier Trend in Prime Mutton Values". The Argus. 4 March 1938. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- ^ "Public Notices". The Argus. 8 November 1945. Retrieved 6 February 2018.