| Name: |
PETRE, JOHN JOSEPH |
| Initials: |
J J |
| Nationality: |
United Kingdom |
| Rank: |
Squadron Commander |
| Regiment: |
Royal Naval Air Service |
| Unit Text: |
|
| Age: |
23 |
| Date of Death: |
13/04/1917 |
| Awards |
DSC |
| Service No: |
|
| Casualty Type: |
Commonwealth War Dead |
| Grave/Memorial Reference: |
I. D. 39. |
| Cemetery: |
CERISY-GAILLY MILITARY CEMETERY |
| Additional information: Croix
de Guerre (France). Son of Sebastian Henry and Catherine Elise Petre, of Tor
Bryan, Ingatestone, Essex |
|
 |
| |
|
| John Joseph Petre was the cousin of the 16th Lord Petre. He lived
with his parents at Tor Bryan in Ingatestone along with his two other brothers,
all were mad keen on flying. |
| John Petre was born 11th April 1894 and whilst at school was in the
OTC from 1909 until 1913. In Spetember1914, John Petre joined the RNAS and
trained at Eastbourne and Eastchurch, and gained certificate number 942 on 14th
October 1914. He was posted to RNAS Grain in January 1915 and then on to
Dunkirk a month later. By June 1916 he was attached to A Squadron 1 Wing based
at St Pol. A squadron 1 Wing was to become Number 1 Squadron in December 1916
with the creation of the RAF. A Wing was often regarded as an HQ for a number
of aircraft engaged in offensive duties, scout, reconnaissance work, or
bombing. It provided the stores, repair, command medical facilities and even
the chaplain! There were often two flights of 5 – 6 planes in each. The
Nieuport Scout was a robust biplane that saw service in many allied squadrons,
it had an excellent rate of climb, and was considered superior to most British
aircraft that were available at the time. There was a flaw in the design and
that was the lower wing which was weak and had a tendancy to disintegrate in
flght. |
| John Petre was mentioned in dispatches on 30th December 1915 for
his ‘meritorious work in connection with air attack on sheds at
Ostende’ again two months later ‘meritorious work over the
enemy’s lines and recommended for special recognition and reward.’ He
was taking the battle to the enemy and wasn’t afraid to do so. |
| John was flying the Nieuport Scout aeroplane, and on May 16th
whilst 5000 ft over Dixmude fought an action with a German plane. The latter
flew back five miles over the German lines, John Petre chased hlim and despite
heavy accurate anti aircraft fire ‘forced him to descend’. |
| The London Gazette announced on 22nd June 1916 that John Joseph
Petre had been awarded the DSC ‘in recognition of services as a pilot at
Dunkirk. |
| More details will be added as they arrive |