Albert Enstone

Captain Albert James Enstone (29 August 1895 – 4 October 1963) was a British World War I flying ace. Various sources credit him with differing air victory scores. In one text, he is credited with 13 confirmed aerial victories and driving down 11 other German aircraft, including three Gotha bombers. Another source claims 15 confirmed aerial victories; ten (including one shared win) were destroyed, and five (including one shared win) were driven down out of control. He is known to have attacked two Gotha bombers. Regardless of his actual victory totals, records show that Enstone served his country valiantly.

Early life Albert James Enstone was the second son of Thomas and Flora Enstone of Edgbaston, Birmingham, England.

World War I service Enstone joined the Royal Naval Air Service on 3 April 1916 with the rank of temporary probationary flight sub-lieutenant. He gave a permanent home address in Birmingham, and his next of kin as his mother, Mrs. J. E. Enstone. He learned to fly at Cranwell. He seems to have shown early promise, as he was appointed as an acting flight commander during training. He graduated on 15 September 1916 with Royal Aero Club certificate 3677. Enstone was confirmed in his rank as flight sub-lieutenant on 8 November 1916; he had already been appointed an acting flight lieutenant as early as 10 April 1916. His second victory, scored on 9 May, forecast his later citation for valour; Naval 4 battled a large opposing force of German Albatroses for 25 minutes, with Alexander MacDonald Shook and Langley Frank Willard Smith joining Enstone in victory.

After he and his squadron upgraded to Sopwith Camels, Enstone used his new mount to down three more German aircraft in July 1917, including an effort against a seaplane teamed with Chadwick and Ronald M. Keirstead. He also won the Distinguished Service Cross during this string of victories.

Enstone continued to win throughout the first half of 1918. When the RNAS was consolidated into the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918, his position as flight commander automatically gained him the rank of captain. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross during this period.

On 27 November 1928, the firm of Enstone and Lilienfield posted notice that their joint stock company would dissolve within the next three months. On 26 April 1929, the firm was dissolved.

As was common for the RAF veterans of World War I, Enstone may have retained an appointment in the RAF Reserves, as there is discussion of his retention of rank during 1930.

Honours and awards Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Flight Commander Alexander MacDonald Shook R.N.A.S. Flight Lieutenant Arnold Jacques Chadwick R.N.A.S (since reported drowned) Flight Sub-Lieutenant Albert James Enstone, R.N.A.S. Flight Sub-Lieutenant Langley Frank Willard Smith R.N.A.S. (since reported missing) For exceptional gallantry and remarkable skill and courage whilst serving with the R.N.A.S. at Dunkirk during May and June, 1917, in repeatedly attacking and destroying hostile aircraft.

List of victories

Accounts of victories scored by Albert James Enstone differ widely from source to source. The table below is an attempt to collate his victories. Numbered victories are those that were confirmed by the Royal Naval Air Service or its successor Royal Air Force. Unconfirmed victories are denoted by the notation "u/c". If you are uncertain about how to list a claim, Aerial victory standards of World War I can be instructive. Please supply source(s) of information for entries. Present list is based on Shores et al. (1990), p. 150, with additional sources noted for specific instances.