William Price (RAF officer)


Captain William Thomas Price was a World War I flying ace who hailed from Warwickshire, England. He was credited with seven aerial victories at a time when British aviation was suffering its heaviest casualties of the war. After leaving military service, he devoted his life to teaching agriculture until his retirement in 1962.

Early life

William Thomas Price was born in Acocks Green, Yardley, Warwickshire, England, on 15 November 1895. He was educated at Christ's College, London, as well as at Reading University.

World War I

He began his military service in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, being commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant on 26 August 1915.
Price volunteered for aviation duty and undertook pilot's training. On 28 November 1916, he was appointed a flying officer; this appointment signified his qualification as a pilot. He was seconded from the Royal Warwickshire Regiment to the Royal Flying Corps for duty. He was one of the founding members of No. 48 Squadron RFC, and served with them piloting a two-seater Bristol F.2 Fighter.
Price became a flying ace during Bloody April, 1917; British aviation suffered their heaviest casualties of World War I during that month. He scored two further victories on 9 May 1917, only to be shot down in turn by Lothar von Richthofen. Despite being wounded, he managed to land his aircraft in friendly territory north-east of Fampoux, France. On 1 July 1917 he was promoted to lieutenant, and was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry on this occasion, which was gazetted on 18 July 1917:
On 1 March 1918, Price was appointed a flight commander with the accompanying temporary rank of captain, and transferred to the General List of the RFC.

List of aerial victories

No.Date/timeAircraftFoeResultLocationNotes
16 April 1917Bristol F.2 FighterGerman fighterDriven down out of controlDouai, FranceObserver/gunner: Maurice Benjamin
29 April 1917Bristol F.2 FighterAlbatros D.IIIDestroyedEast of Arras, FranceObserver/gunner: Maurice Benjamin
323 April 1917Bristol F.2 FighterAlbatros D.IIIDriven down out of controlVitry, FranceObserver/gunner: Maurice Benjamin; victory shared with Fred Holliday, Roger Hay, and their observers
425 April 1917 @ 1900 hoursBristol F.2 FighterAlbatros D.IIIDestroyedEast of Arras, FranceObserver/gunner: Maurice Benjamin
527 April 1917Bristol F.2 FighterGerman two-seaterDestroyedVitry, FranceObserver/gunner: Maurice Benjamin; shared with Fred Holliday and observer
69 May 1917 @ 0820 hoursBristol F.2 Fighter serial number A7110German two-seaterDestroyedBetween Vitry and Noyelles, FranceObserver/gunner: Ernest Moore; victory shared with Fred Holliday and observer
79 May 1917 @ 1725 hoursBristol F.2 Fighter s/n A7110Albatros D.IIIDestroyedEast of Vitry and Fampoux, FranceObserver/gunner: G. G. Claye

Post World War I

On 4 February 1919, Price transferred to the unemployed list of the Royal Air Force. After leaving military service, he taught agricultural techniques until his retirement in 1962. He died on 17 January 1982, in Leamington Spa in his native Warwickshire, England.