Henry Winslow Woollett

Henry Winslow Woollett, (5 August 1895 – 31 October 1969) was a British flying ace and the highest scoring British balloon busting ace credited with 35 aerial victories, including eleven balloons, during the First World War. He continued to serve in the Royal Air Force until the 1930s.

Early life and early military career Henry Winslow Woollett was born on 5 August 1895. He grew up in Southwold, Suffolk, and was educated at Wellingborough School (1907–1913). A doctor's son, he was pursuing medical studies when the First World War began. He was promoted to lieutenant in the 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment on 10 December. The following year he served in the Gallipoli Campaign, In 1916, he requested and received a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps. He qualified as a pilot after only three and a half hours flight time,

Career as a flier In November 1916, Woollett was assigned to No. 24 Squadron RFC to fly the Airco DH.2. These early fighter aircraft had a rear "pusher" engine format and a forward firing machine gun with a clear field of fire making synchronisation unnecessary. It was flying one of these that Woollett claimed his first victory, on 5 April 1917, destroying an Albatros D.III.

No. 24 Squadron was then re-equipped with the Airco DH.5. The DH.5 was unusual in design with the top wing having a 'back stagger', behind the lower wing, to give the pilot good visibility, especially overhead. Given its lack of power (top speed was 102 miles per hour) and poor performance at higher altitudes, it was used more for ground attack than air combat. Nevertheless, it was while flying the DH.5 that Woollett destroyed three more German aircraft and drove another down 'out of control'. On 17 August 1917, he became a flying ace.

Woollett's career in fighters was spent in Camels. Number D6402 was his mainstay.

Woollett returned to combat in France in March 1918 with No. 43 Squadron, flying a Sopwith Camel. He achieved ten victories in March and was a triple ace by month's end. Beginning on 24 March, he began a series of 22 victories with Camel number D6402, making it one of the more successful airframes in the war. Belgium's top ace of the First World War, Willy Coppens described Woollett's exploits:

quote|Captain H. W. Woollett of No. 43 Squadron... whilst leading a patrol, he saw a German machine, out-manoeuvred it, fired about thirty rounds and saw it spin down and crash. During this fight he had been attacked by several other machines. Without delay he climbed rapidly above his attackers and dived on to a two-seater, firing as he went, causing this machine also to crash. Once again he out-climbed his opponents, looped away from two attacking Fokkers, made a vertical bank, and again dived on the tail of an Albatross. After he had fired about 40 rounds, this machine burst into flames and fell to pieces. He then went home. At 5 p.m. the same evening he attacked thirteen enemy aircraft... He first fired 30 rounds into one of the enemy aeroplanes, which turned over on its back and fell to pieces. He then climbed again, manoeuvred rapidly among the remaining twelve machines, avoiding the fire of his opponents until he could fire a burst into an Albatross, which spun down and crashed. He then made for home. On crossing the lines he saw another enemy machine above him. Once more the climb of his 'bus enabled him to get over his enemy, and he crashed his sixth machine for the day. and later that month his home town of Southwold granted him the freedom of the borough "in recognition of his conspicuous services". He was also awarded the French Legion of Honour on 30 November 1918, and the Croix de Guerre with Palm on 15 July 1919.

Woollett served in No. 8 Squadron RAF in Iraq until 1 April 1922, when transferred to the Iraq Command Stores Depot. From 14 January 1923 he served as adjutant at the Mechanical Transport Workshops and Pool in Palestine Command, before being posted to the headquarters of RAF Middle East in Egypt, on 31 March 1924. He then served at No. 4 Flying Training School, Egypt, from 16 April 1924, until being returned to the Home Establishment on 1 November.

Woollett served in No. 24 Squadron RAF at RAF Kenley from 4 January 1927, and No. 43 Squadron RAF at RAF Tangmere from 26 June 1928, before being promoted to squadron leader on 12 December 1928. On 15 January 1930 Woollett was appointed Officer Commanding No. 23 Squadron RAF at Kenley, which comprised two flights of Bulldogs and one of Harts. One of the pilots assigned to his command was Douglas Bader, the Second World War ace. Woollett relinquished command of No. 23 Squadron on 9 December 1931, and on 3 February 1932 resigned his commission.

Woollett joined the Air League of the British Empire and was appointed London Area organiser of the Air Defence Cadet Corps in mid-1938. On 1 February 1941, during the Second World War, Woollett was granted a commission as an acting pilot officer "for the duration of hostilities" in the Training Branch of the Reserve of Air Force Officers, but resigned his commission on 10 February 1942.

Woollett died on 31 October 1969.

Bar to Military Cross – London Gazette, 22 June 1918.

Distinguished Service Order – London Gazette, 16 September 1918.