Rothesay Stuart Wortley
| Rothesay Nicholas Montagu Stuart Wortley | |
|---|---|
| Born |
9 January 1892 Highcliffe Castle, Dorset, England |
| Died | 29 December 1926 (aged 34) Southern France |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1912–1919 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit |
Hampshire Yeomanry No. 22 Squadron RFC |
| Commands held | No. 44 Training Depot Station No. 88 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front |
| Awards | Military Cross |
| Relations | Edward James Montagu-Stuart-Wortley (father) |
| Other work | Journalist & author |
Major Rothesay Nicholas Montagu Stuart WortleyMC (9 January 1892 – 29 December 1926) was a British World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.
Stuart Wortley was born at Highcliffe Castle, Dorset, the first child and only son of Major-General the Honourable Edward James Montagu-Stuart-Wortley and his wife Violet (née Guthrie). He was educated at Eton and Oxford University, winning an Honours in History. On 25 March 1912 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Hampshire Yeomanry (Territorial Force).
On 5 August 1914, the day after England declared war on Germany, Stuart Wortley was appointed an aide-de-camp to serve on the personal staff of his father, General Officer Commanding of the 46th (North Midland) Division. On 12 February 1917 Stuart Wortley was seconded for duty with the Royal Flying Corps, and was appointed a flying officer on 12 June. On 30 June he was promoted to captain, with seniority from 1 June 1916. Posted to No. 22 Squadron RFC to fly the Bristol F.2 two-seater fighter, he gained his first aerial victories on 6 September 1917, driving down two enemy aircraft. He destroyed two enemy fighters on 22 September, and captured another on 17 October. His sixth and final victory came on 28 January 1918, sending another fighter down in flames.
Stuart Wortley was awarded the Military Cross, which was gazetted on 19 April 1918. His citation read:
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