Charles Woollven

Charles Henry Chapman Woollven was born on 28 June 1897;[1] his birthplace is given as either Plymouth, England,[2] or Folkestone.[1]

On 6 August 1925, he married Ariel Gwynnedd Alice Jeffery at Holy Trinity, Paddington.[3]

On 26 January 1916, Woollven was commissioned from the Royal Military College, Sandhurst as a second lieutenant in the Devonshire Regiment.[4] He was promptly seconded to the Royal Flying Corps to begin his flight training, being granted Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No. 2636 on 31 March,[1] and was appointed a flying officer on 27 May.[5] He joined No. 25 Squadron RFC on 19 June 1916 to fly a F.E.2b two-seater.[2] He scored his first victory on 8 August, driving down a Roland C.II out of control.[1][2]

Woollven was awarded the Military Cross, which was gazetted on 14 November 1916. His citation read:

Second Lieutenant Charles Henry Chapman Woollven, Devonshire Regiment and Royal Flying Corps.

"For conspicuous gallantry in action. He dived down to a low altitude, attacked a train, causing many casualties, and displayed great courage and determination throughout."[6]

Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2, with gunner and pilot.

He quickly followed this with more aerial victories, destroying two Albatros D.I fighters, on 16 and 23 November.[1] He was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain on 31 December 1916.[7] On 17 March 1917 he drove down out of control an Albatros D.II fighter, and on 1 May he destroyed an Albatros D.III for his fifth victory.[1][2] On 26 July 1917 Woollven was promoted to lieutenant.[8]

List of aerial victories

No.	Date/Time	Aircraft/ Serial No.	Opponent	Result	Location	Notes
1	8 August 1916 @ 0640	F.E.2b (6991)	Roland C.II	Out of control	Don	Observer: Lieutenant C. Nelson.
2	16 November 1916 @ 1300	F.E.2b (7024)	Albatros D.I	Destroyed	Somain	Observer: Second Lieutenant C. H. Marchant.
3	23 November 1916 @ 1545	F.E.2b (7024)	Albatros D.I	Destroyed	East of Oppy	Observer: Sergeant G. R. Horrocks.
4	17 March 1917 @ 1100–1130	F.E.2b (A5484)	Albatros D.II	Out of control	Oppy—Beaumont	Observer: Sergeant J. H. Booth.
5	1 May 1917 @ 1800	F.E.2b (7003)	Albatros D.III	Destroyed	South-east of Fresnoy	Observer: Sergeant J. H. Booth.

[1][2]

A Roland C.II was Woolven's first victim.

An Albatros D.III German fighter was Woolven's final victim.

On 20 January 1919 Woollven was transferred to the RAF's Administrative Branch,[9] and was granted a permanent commission in the RAF as a captain on 1 August 1919.[10] He served first overseas, as he was posted to the RAF Depot on transfer to the Home Establishment on 21 October 1923.[11] He served at the Inland Area Aircraft Depot at RAF Henlow from 14 January 1924.[12]

On 1 January 1931, he was promoted to squadron leader,[13] and on 8 April was posted to No. 4 Flying Training School at RAF Abu Sueir in Egypt,[14] where he remained until 10 October 1933.[15] Placed on half pay, he was reactivated on 22 June 1934,[16] and posted to No. 2 Flying Training School at RAF Digby for administrative duties on 10 November,[17] then to the RAF Record Office at RAF West Ruislip on 11 August 1938.[18] On 29 November 1938 he was promoted to wing commander.[19]

On 11 June 1942 in the King's Birthday Honours, Woollven, now an acting group captain, was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.[20] He was promoted to the temporary rank of group captain on 1 January 1943,[21] and eventually retired on 15 September 1947 retaining that rank.[22]

Charles Henry Chapman Woollven died on 7 January 1971.[1]

Notes

Bibliography

• Shores, Christopher F.; Franks, Norman & Guest, Russell F. (1990). Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920. London, UK: Grub Street. ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9.