Harry Rigby (aviator)

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Harry Alexander Rigby
Harry Alexander Rigby.jpg
Born(1896-11-02)2 November 1896
Melbourne, Australia
Died4 November 1972(1972-11-04) (aged 76)
Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Victoria
Camberwell, Victoria
AllegianceAustralia
Service/branchAviation
Years of service1916–1918
RankCaptain
UnitNo. 40 Squadron RFC, No. 1 Squadron RAF
AwardsMilitary Cross

Captain Harry Alexander Rigby (2 November 1896 – 4 November 1972) was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.[1]

Rigby was commissioned in the Royal Flying Corps on 22 May 1916. He joined 40 Squadron on 1 August, but left a month later due to illness. Subsequently, he joined 1 Squadron on 2 February 1918, being promoted to captain shortly thereafter. Piloting a Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5A, he scored his first victory on 13 March 1918, sharing it with fellow aces Percy Jack Clayson, Herbert Hamilton, William Patrick, Guy Borthwick Moore, and four other pilots. In the next two months, Rigby would singlehandedly rack up five more triumphs, the last being 11 May 1918. His final tally was one Albatros D.V set afire, two enemy planes destroyed, and three enemy fighters sent down out of control. On 17 May, illness once again removed Rigby from duty.[1][2]

Honors and awards[]

Military Cross (MC)

Lt. Harry Alexander Rigby, R.F.C., Spec. Res.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has carried out many low-flying bombing raids, obtaining direct hits on enemy troops, hutments and camps. On one occasion, after attacking a large column of enemy infantry on a road with machine-gun fire, he attacked and shot down in flames a hostile scout. His work has always been carried out with the utmost keenness and determination.[3]

Notes[]

  1. ^ a b "Harry Rigby". The Aerodrome. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
  2. ^ Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920. p. 321.
  3. ^ The London Gazette, 21 June 1918. Retrieved 19 February 2010.

References[]

  • Shores, Christopher F.; Franks, Norman L. R.; Guest, Russell (1990). Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920. Grub Street. ISBN 0-948817-19-4.


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