William Molesworth (aviator)
| William Earle Molesworth | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Moley |
| Born |
14 March 1894 Andaman Islands, India |
| Died | 22 October 1955 (aged 61) Reading, Berkshire, England |
| Buried | Henley Road Cemetery, Reading (51°28′33″N 0°57′16″W / 51.47583°N 0.95444°WCoordinates: 51°28′33″N 0°57′16″W / 51.47583°N 0.95444°W) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1914–1941 |
| Rank | Lieutenant-Colonel |
| Unit | |
| Commands held | No. 158 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front World War II |
| Awards |
Military Cross & Bar Silver Medal of Military Valor (Italy) |
Lieutenant-Colonel William Earle Molesworth MC* (14 March 1894 – 22 October 1955) was a British First World War flying ace credited with eighteen aerial victories.
Molesworth was born on 14 March 1894, the son of Lieutenant Colonel William Molesworth CBE, CIE, of the Indian Medical Service, and Winifred Anne Weeks.
He attended Marlborough College from 1908 to 1912, then trained for an army career at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, from 1912 to 1914. On 8 August 1914, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Munster Fusiliers.
From October 1914 Molesworth served in the trenches on the Western Front in France. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 15 November 1914, later backdated to 30 August 1914. He was wounded in December, but returned to duty and served with the Fusiliers until March 1916.
Molesworth was then seconded to the Royal Flying Corps, and was appointed a Flying Officer on 26 December 1916, finally completing his flight training at Upavon's Central Flying School in February 1917. He received promotion to Captain in the Royal Munster Fusiliers on 7 April 1917. He was assigned to No. 60 Squadron RFC (60 Sqn), flying Nieuport 17s, and scored his first victory on 22 April. On 26 April was appointed a Flight Commander with the temporary rank of Captain, to lead "A" Flight. His next three triumphs were also scored flying a Nieuport; then he switched to an SE.5a for his next two in early August. He was transferred to the Home Establishment in England, and on 26 September 1917 he was awarded his first Military Cross.
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