Donald Beard

Lieutenant Donald Wainwright Beard, MM (20 May 1895–1980) was a British World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.

Early life and service

Donald Wainwright Beard was born in Sandbach, Cheshire, England on 20 May 1895. Beard originally joined the Royal Flying Corps as a mechanic on 20 August 1913.

Training completed, he was assigned to No. 11 Squadron RFC as a sergeant pilot of a Bristol F.2 Fighter dubbed "Amy" on 26 November 1917. On 9 March 1918, with Sergeant H. W. Scarnell manning the rear guns, Beard drove a German Pfalz D.III down out of control. Six days later, the same team destroyed an Albatros D.III fighter and drove down two others. A week later, with Second Lieutenant H. M. Stewart as gunner, Beard set an Albatros D.V on fire. On 3 April 1918, Beard was commissioned as a Temporary Second Lieutenant. Beard's final victories came on 9 May 1918, when he destroyed one Pfalz D.III and drove another down out of control.

Beard married Stella Marie Gladys Londt. She died in a car crash on 27 December 1933, aged 22; their infant daughter Sally died shortly thereafter On 22 January 1941, probationary Pilot Officer Beard was assigned to administrative duty. On 20 July, he was transferred to the Technical Branch. On 18 November 1941, Beard transferred into the reserves. On 13 March 1942, he once again resigned his commission as Pilot Officer because of poor health. As of 8 April 1947, he is also shown resigning his commission, which may indicate he returned to duty after the 1942 resignation.

Later life He later worked as an engineer and a salesman at a Sandbach motor firm.

Honours and awards Awarded the Military Medal on 9 December 1916. Sergeant with Serial no. 839.