Sidney Highwood

Sidney William Highwood
Born(1896-12-30)30 December 1896
Marden, Kent, England
Died1975 (aged 78–79)
Kent, England
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchBritish Army
Royal Air Force
RankCaptain
UnitQueen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
No. 84 Squadron RAF
AwardsDistinguished Flying Cross & Bar

Captain Sidney William Highwood DFC* (30 December 1896–1975) was a British World War I flying ace and balloon buster credited with sixteen aerial victories.[1]

Biography

Highwood was born in Marden, Kent, to William and Sarah Highwood, of Hertsfield Farm.[2] He first served as a private in the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment).[1] In 1917, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, and on 11 October was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant (on probation),[3] being confirmed in his rank on 22 March 1918.[4]

He was posted to No. 84 Squadron on 20 May 1918, flying the S.E.5a, between 8 August and 30 October he accounted for nine enemy observation balloons, five Fokker D.VII fighters, and two Rumpler reconnaissance aircraft, for which he was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.[1]

On 9 October 1918, he was appointed a flight commander with the acting rank of captain,[5] but left the RAF after the end of the war, being transferred to the unemployed list on 2 March 1919.[6]

After the war, Highwood returned to the family business of growing fruit and vegetables, acquiring Sheerland Farm in Pluckley, Kent, in 1929.[2][7][8]

Honours and awards

Distinguished Flying Cross
Lieutenant Sidney William Highwood
"An Officer of exceptional skill and courage who, since 8 August, has accounted for nine enemy aircraft, driving down five kite balloons in flames, destroying two enemy machines, and shooting down two others out of control".[9]
Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross
Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Sidney William Highwood, DFC.
"A courageous officer who has proved himself a skilled and bold fighter. Since 2 October he has destroyed three enemy machines and four kite balloons, and has in addition rendered valuable service in attacking enemy troops on the ground".[10]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Sidney William Highwood". The Aerodrome. 2015.
  2. ^ a b "No. 35060". The London Gazette. 31 January 1941. p. 639.
  3. ^ "No. 30337". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 October 1917. pp. 10656–10657.
  4. ^ "No. 30647". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 April 1918. p. 4955.
  5. ^ "No. 30958". The London Gazette. 18 October 1918. p. 12254.
  6. ^ "No. 31243". The London Gazette. 21 March 1919. p. 3757.
  7. ^ "Pluckley – Farming". pluckley.net. 2010.
  8. ^ "S. W. Highwood (Pluckley) Ltd. – Fruit and Vegetable Producers". ukplaces.com. 2015.
  9. ^ "No. 31046". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 November 1918. p. 14322.
  10. ^ "No. 31170". The London Gazette. 7 February 1919. p. 2033.