The very good and rare Great War Egypt Alexandria Seaplane Squadron Pilot’s 14 June 1918 Air Force Cross group awarded to Lieutenant G.H. Willows, A.F.C., Royal Air Force, formerly Royal Naval Air Service and Mercantile Marine. From Heapham, near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, between 1910 and 1916 he was a navigating officer in the Mercantile Marine, when employed by both the Cunard Line and the British India Steam Navigation Company. He was therefore on troop transporting duties with the onset of the war, but then switched to a commission in the Royal Naval Air Service and underwent pilot training from December 1916 when out in France at Vendôme airfield. On graduation, he saw service as a seaplane pilot at various stations in the United Kingdom, before travelling out to Egypt in April 1918 when he joined the Alexandria Seaplane Squadron. Willows who also held the position of Acting Adjutant of the newly formed Seaplane Base at Alexandria, flew numerous convoy escort and anti-submarine patrols out of Alexandria, being credit with an attack on a large submarine on 8 May, he was however then deemed to have successfully sunk a submarine on 14 June 1918. He made an attack and drooped two 65 lb bombs on the submarine, when operating in conjunction with another aircraft. His observer on this occasion was an Air Man 3rd Class R. A. Chilman. With pilots were subsequently recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the observers with the Distinguished Flying Medal, however some doubt remained as to whether the submarine was sunk, and Willows was eventually awarded the Air Force Cross, this being gazetted to him on 8 February 1919, ‘in recognition of gallantry in flying operations against the enemy.’ Shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War he was a Deputy Head Warden with the Air Raid Precautions Service at Peterborough in Northamptonshire.
Group of 4: Air Force Cross, GVR cypher; British War Medal; (LIEUT. G.H. WILLOWS. R.A.F.); Mercantile Marine War MEdal 1914-1918; (GEORGE H. WILLOWS); Victory Medal; (LIEUT. G.H. WILLOWS. R.A.F.)
Condition: Good Very Fine or better.
George Harpham Willows was born on 9 May 1893 at Heapham, near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, the son of Richard Hutchinson Willows, a corn merchant and farmer, and his wife, Amelia Harpham. As of 1901 the family were living at Sculcoates in Kingston-upon-Hull, Yorkshire. Willows went on to join the Mercantile Marine in 1910, having been a Cadet for some two years with the training ship Worcester. He is noted as having crossed the Atlantic as a Midshipman aboard the Cunard Line vessel the R.M.S. Campania, that sailed from Liverpool on 15 January and docked a New York on 23 January 1910. He then went on to work as a Navigating Officer for the British India Steam Navigation Company from 1910 through to 1916, and he eventually qualified as the First Mate aboard a Foreign-going Steamship on 17 August 1916.
With the Great War he was initially employed as a Navigating Officer in the Mercantile Marine and found himself on troop transporting duties, but having passed the Admiralty Board, was then appointed to a commission as a temporary Probationary Flying Officer with the Royal Naval Air Service on 5 November 1916, and then went forward for pilot training when posted from Crystal Palace to Vendôme in France from 16 December 1916, where there was a Royal Naval Air Service flying training school. He was posted back home to Cranwell from 3 March 1917, and was then promoted to Flight Sub Lieutenant on 25 April 1917 with seniority from 25 March 1917. He became proficient in the piloting of the Curtis TN4, Avro BE2cE, Bristol Scout, Short Seaplane, Sopwith Schneider FBA Flying Boat etc.
Willows was posted as a pilot to R.N.A.S. Killingholme from 30 April 1917, to R.N.A.S. Calshott from 7 May 1917, and then attended a Compass Observers Course at Slough from 12 November 1917, and was then transferred into the Royal Air Force on its formation and posted out to Alexandria in Egypt on 1 April 1918 from where he flew seaplanes with the Alexandria Seaplane Squadron and also became Acting Adjutant of the newly formed Seaplane Base there. With this posting, Willows found himself piloting the Short Admiralty 184 Type Tractor Biplanes, otherwise known as the Short Type 184, or the Short Seaplane, and employed on convoy escort and anti-submarine patrols.
On 30 April 1918 Willows flew an outward bound convoy escort patrol with A.M.3 Crisp as his observer and then on 2 May, he flew an inward bound convoy escort patrol with A.M.3 Crisp as his observer and on 5 May he flew an outward bound convoy escort patrol with A.M.3 Chilman as his observer,
On 8 May Willows, when flying in a Short Type 184 (N1639) together with an Observer Sub Lieutenant S.C. Howes, is credited with having made an attack on a U-Boat and dropped two 65 lb bombs. At the time he was conducting an anti-submarine patrol that lasted between 15.10 and 16.42 E.E.T. At 16.15 he ‘sighted craft to North about 10 to 12 miles, appearance of large type of Submarine, appeared to having conning tower in centre, very distinctive and low-lying hull. At this time Willows’ aircraft was approximately 15 miles North North West of Alexandria and he altered course straight for craft which disappeared at 16.18. At 16.25 he arrived at the estimated position where the craft had disappeared, and ‘here also observed large patch of oil, dropped both bombs on oil patch’ and then returned to base. On approaching the base his Observer and Wireless Operator, Howes, signalled to say “returning have important visual for you on landing”. On the following day the commanding officer of the Seaplane Wing would write to confirm that the patrol was made to search for a submarine that was suspected of having sunk some Greek fishing vessels during the two previous days. It was assumed that the submarine would not have been affected by the bombs that were dropped on it, being too deep by the time the seaplane arrived.
On 10 May, Willows flew an anti-submarine patrol with A.M.3 Chilman as his observer. On 15 May, he flew an anti-submarine patrol with A.M.3 Sanders as his observer. On 18 May, he flew an outward bound convoy escort patrol with A.M.3 Chilman as his observer. On 21 May, when along in his aircraft, he flew an outward bound convoy escort sortie, when escorting some 10 merchant vessels, 3 trawlers, 1 sloop and a Kited Balloon. On 24 May, when once again flying with Howes as his observer, he flew an anti-submarine patrol, with nothing to report.
It was however an incident on 14 June 1918, when also in the Short Type 184 (N1639) and together with an Air Man 3rd Class W.J. Chilman as his observer when flying a inward bound convoy escort patrol between 06.24 and 09.03 E.E.T. that Willows dropped his bomb load on a U-Boat outside of Alexandria harbour, an incident that led to his recommendation for the Distinguished Flying Cross, and ultimately his award of the Air Force Cross.
On 14 June 1918 the officer commanding the Seaplane Base at Alexandria wrote to the commanding officer of Naval Air Force Group Egypt, Lieutenant Colonel C.E. Brisk. ‘Seaplane No.2904 (Pilot Lieutenant G. Waugh, Observer A.M. W/T Saunders) and Seaplane No.1639 (Pilot Lieutenant G.H. Willows, Observer A.M. W/T Chilman) left to escort troop convoy into Alexandria at 08.15 E.E.T. this morning June 14th. At 08.47 E.E.T. the Pilot of Seaplane N.1639 observed a Japanese Destroyer drop a depth charge approximately 6 miles North East of the Outer Buoy N.W Channel. The seaplane which was about a mile to the South East of this position at once proceeded on to the spot and almost immediately afterwards the tops of two periscopes and a swirl were sighted about 400 yards North East of the position of the Destroyer and steering North East. Machine at one fired “Submarine in sight” signal and proceeded to attack and 1 - 65 lb. bomb with two and a half seconds delay action fuze was dropped and observed to explode 30 feet ahead and directly in line with the periscopes. This was at 09.00 E.E.T., the machine then turned round and the second bomb was dropped, also a 65 lb., ahead of the last position bombed. The machine remained in the vicinity for about 30 minutes and then proceeded to join up with the convoy.
At 09.00 the Pilot of Seaplane N.2904 observed Seaplane N.1639 drop a bomb and he at once proceeded to the position. When approximately 6 miles North East of the Outer Buoy North West channel the wash of a submarine was sighted steering East. Machine at once proceeded to attack, and at 09.10 one 230 lb. bomb with two and a half seconds delay action fuze was dropped and was observed to explode approximately 70 feet ahead and in line with the wash. The Pilot was unable to drop his remaining bombs owing to the proximity of a Japanese Destroyer “K” which had at once proceeded to the spot. The machine remained in the vicinity for about 30 minutes and then proceeded to carry on with the Convoy patrol.
The Pilot of Seaplane N.1639 reports that about 30 minutes after the bombs were dropped and in the same position, he observed two patches of air upheavals, each about 4 feet in diameter and about 12 feet apart, and otherwise no apparent result was seen other than the residue of the bombs.’
In response on 18 June 1918 the Chief Officer of H.M.T. “Indara” would write to the commanding officer of the Naval Wing to say: ‘I am pleased to say that in my opinion you “bagged” the submarine. When your bomb was dropped. I saw what I thought was a bigger explosion than the usual depth-charge. In amongst the dirty water thrown up, I distinctly saw a triangular shaped object, which I supposed to be a piece of sheet metal. The 5th Officer also saw it, and I have heard that the Captain and 2nd Officer of the “Camberra” also saw the same thing. Hoping you get the credit of the “bagging” because your machines gave us great confidence when we see them coming to meet us. In fact wish we could see them all the way across.’
On 21 June 1918 a letter was issued from the Headquarters of the Naval Air Force Group at Alexandria, and written by the Lieutenant Colonel commanding. He attached to this letter supporting letters from Chief Officer S. Diamond of H.M.T. “Indara” and Engineer Lieutenant G.H. Ashton, Royal Indian Marine, of Bombay who happened to be a passenger aboard the “Indara” that witnessed Willows’ attack on the U-Boat. The commanding officer would write that: ‘from the evidence given by these officers as actual eye witnesses of the whole proceedings, it would appear that a legitimate claim might be advanced as to the actual destruction of this submarine. There have been previous cases in which bombs have been dropped in very close proximity to a submarine where one was inclined to claim that it had been destroyed. The submarine having been sighted, however, within the next 24 or 48 hours entirely negatived this. In this case, however, there has been no sign of the slightest submarine activity. Under these circumstances, I have the honour to request that the Pilots and Observers belonging to the Alexandria Seaplane Squadron, who carried out this attack, may be credited with the destruction of this submarine. If this claim is allowed, would recommend the following Pilots and Observers for the mentioned decorations: Lieutenants George Waugh and George H. Willows for the Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Men 3rd Class Thomas Saunders (No.F32649) and Reginald A. Chilman (No.F18932) for the Distinguished Flying Medal.
All four airmen involved in this incident were congratulated by the Officer Commanding the 64th Wing at Alexandria in an official note written on 21 June 1918.
The first recommendation for Willows’ award was made shortly afterwards and reads as follows: ‘On June 14th 1918 N1639 Observer A.M.3 Chilman W/T, whilst escorting a Troopship Convoy into Alexandria observed a Japanese destroyer drop a depth charge approximately 6 miles north east of the outer buoy north west channel. The seaplane which was about a mile to the south east of this position at once proceeded to the spot and almost immediately afterwards the tops of two periscopes wee sighted about 400 yards north east of the position of the destroyer, steering north east. Machine at once fired “submarine in sight” signal and proceeded to attack and one 65 lb bomb with 2 1/2 seconds delay action fuse was dropped and observed to explode 30 feet ahead and directly in line with the periscope. This was at 0900 E.E.T. The machine then turned round and the second bomb was dropped, also 65 lbs ahead of the last position bombed. The machine then remained in the vicinity for about 30 minutes and then proceeded to join up with Convoy. Previous to this attack, this officer has carried out many long and conscientious escort patrols, in addition to carrying out his duties as Acting Adjutant of a newly formed Seaplane Base.’
Willows’ second shortened recommendation was compiled by Headquarters 64th (Naval) Wing on 31 October 1918, this being placed below that of the other pilot, Waugh, and it read: ‘This officer has also carried out many long and conscientious convoy and anti-submarine patrols. He is also one of the few Pilots who have had the opportunity of bombing a hostile submarine, which he did on 14th June 1918, on which occasion, he was the first to make an attack from the air.’ The recommendation for the award to the other pilot reads: ‘This Officer has carried out a great amount of seaplane escort work and anti-submarine patrols. He is also one of the few Pilots who have had the opportunity of bombing a hostile submarine, which he did on 14th June 1918. On this occasion, the submarine could not be actually claimed owing to insufficient evidence, but it is thought that, even if the submarine were not actually destroyed, she was certainly badly damaged.’
Willows’ award of the Air Force Cross was officially published in the London Gazette for 8 February 1919, ‘in recognition of gallantry in flying operations against the enemy.’
Willows’ seaplane unit officially became 270 Squadron on 6 October 1918 when still stationed at Alexandria. As of March 1919 Willows was still with this unit at Alexandria, and was with No.65 Wing out in the Middle East as of 13 July 1919, but having been admitted to the 21st General Hospital on 24 July 1919, was then invalided home to the United Kingdom from 3 September 1919, and admitted to Eaton Square Hospital on 12 September 1919, from where he was discharged on 18 September 1919, and transferred to the Unemployed List on 24 September 1919.
He married Margaret Linley at Knaith House in Gainsborough, where he lived in 1921. As of 1939 he was living in Peterborourgh, Northamptonshire, and working as a buyer of raw materials for a food factory, and also serving as a Deputy Head Warden with the Air Raid Precautions Service, and presumably performed that duty during the Second World War. Willows died in Peterborough on 9 January 1959. With copied image of the recipient amongst the research, and another of the aircraft he flew.
