Frederick Thayre

Captain Frederick James Harry Thayre (20 October 1894 – 9 June 1917) was a British two-seater flying ace in World War I who, in conjunction with his observer-gunners, was credited with twenty aerial victories.

Background Thayre was born in London on 20 October 1894. He lived in Littlehampton, Sussex, before the war.

World War I service Thayre learned to fly as a civilian, being granted Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificate No. 1478 on 29 July 1915, after soloing a Maurice Farman biplane at the Military School at Brooklands, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant (on probation) in the Royal Flying Corps the same day. On completion of his military flight training he was appointed a flying officer on 29 December 1915, and was confirmed in his rank on 12 January 1916.

Thayre first flew operationally with No. 16 Squadron RFC in France, in B.E.2 two-seater aircraft, gaining his first victory on 18 March 1916 when his observer, Lieutenant C. R. Davidson, shot down an attacking German Fokker E.III fighter aircraft. On 30 April he received a mention in despatches for his "gallant and distinguished conduct in the field" from General Sir Douglas Haig, the Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France. On 10 July, Thayre was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain, and on 1 September, he was promoted to the substantive rank of lieutenant.

Thayre was later posted to No. 20 Squadron, flying F.E.2d aircraft. He teamed up with Francis Cubbon, with whom he claimed two victories on 29 April 1917. On 1 May, the duo shot down an Albatros two-seater of FA 6, killing its crew of two, while on 3 May 1917 Thayre and Cubbon engaged twenty-six Albatros D.III scouts, claiming two enemy aircraft shot down. At last, having exhausted their machine gun ammunition in that fight, Thayre and Cubbon used their automatic pistols as weapons of last resort.

They would score fifteen victories together during the course of May 1917.

Bar to Military Cross Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Frederick James Harry Thayre, MC, Royal Flying Corps, Special Reserve. "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When in command of an offensive patrol he showed fine leadership and skill, being personally responsible for bringing down three hostile machines. His coolness and courage enabled his small command to inflict severe losses on numerically superior forces."