James Wellwood

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For the English physician, see James Wellwood (physician).

James Joseph Wellwood
Born(1892-10-15)15 October 1892
Drouin, Victoria
Died25 October 1984(1984-10-25) (aged 92)
Armadale, Victoria
Buried
Springvale Crematorium
AllegianceAustralia
Service/branchAustralian Imperial Force (1915–17)
Australian Flying Corps (1917–19)
Royal Australian Air Force (c.1939–45)
Years of service1915–1919
c.1939–1945
RankSquadron Leader
UnitNo. 2 Squadron AFC
Battles/warsFirst World War
Second World War
AwardsDistinguished Flying Cross

James Joseph Wellwood DFC (15 October 1892 – 25 October 1984) was an Australian flying ace of the First World War credited with seven aerial victories. After the war, he went on to a long career as an agriculturalist.

Early life[]

James Joseph Wellwood was the son of Elizabeth Anne Payne and James Wellwood. He was born in Drouin, Australia on 15 October 1892,[1] one of five brothers.[2] Wellwood's mother died when he was ten.[1]

Military career[]

Wellwood originally served in an Australian militia unit, the before he enlisted in the Siege Brigade of the Australian Imperial Force on 1 June 1915. On his enlistment papers, he stated he was a born British subject working as a motor mechanic.[3]

He later transferred to the Australian Flying Corps, and trained as a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5 pilot. By mid-1918, he had been assigned to No. 2 Squadron AFC. He scored his first aerial success on 1 August, destroying a German two-seated Rumpler reconnaissance plane southeast of Lille. On 12 August, he destroyed a Fokker D.VII over Licourt. Wellwood teamed with squadron mate Adrian Cole to destroy a DFW recon machine over Epinoy on 25 August.[4]

In September 1918, Wellwood struck twice, driving a Fokker D.VII down out of control on the 6th, and setting a Pfalz D.III afire on the 24th. Wellwood's final two victories were achieved on 4 November 1918; in separate patrols, he destroyed a Fokker D.VII and drove down another out of control.[4]

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his exploits,[5] which was personally presented by General Sir William Birdwood on 20 March 1919.[6]

Postwar[]

Wellwood married Myra Cantor on 28 June 1924 at Trinity Church, Hampton, Victoria, Australia.[1]

Wellwood was active in horse racing as early as 1929,[7] and became secretary of the Bunyip Race Club in early 1933.[8] He was selected as secretary of the Drouin branch of the United Country Party in early 1937.[9] He was a member of a stock cooperative marketing merino sheep from 1937 to 1941.[10][11][12]

On 8 November 1945, Wellwood posted notice that he would not allow debts to be contracted in his name without his written authority.[13]

James Joseph Wellwood died on 25 April 1984 in Armadale, Victoria, Australia. He was cremated at Springvale Crematorium.[1]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d "Descendents of John Coate and Betty Sherrad". Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2011.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  2. ^ "Australians on Service". The Argus. 26 August 1919. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  3. ^ "James Wellwood - Attestation". The Aerodrome. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  4. ^ a b "James Wellwood". The Aerodrome. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  5. ^ "No. 31378". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 June 1919. p. 7031.
  6. ^ "Medals for Gallantry". The Argus. 13 March 1920. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  7. ^ "Mornington Races". The Examiner. 11 April 1929. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  8. ^ "Bunyip Race Club". The Argus. 31 January 1933. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  9. ^ "News from Cities and Towns". The Argus. 3 April 1937. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  10. ^ "Prime Wether Mutton Firmer at Flemington". The Argus. 28 March 1941. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  11. ^ "Lower Trend in Fat Stock Values". The Argus. 30 June 1937. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  12. ^ "Easier Trend in Prime Mutton Values". The Argus. 4 March 1938. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  13. ^ "Public Notices". The Argus. 8 November 1945. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
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