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Name: Sidney William Highwood Balloon-Buster
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and Bar
Country: England
Rank: Captain
Service: Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force
Units: 84
Victories: 16
Born: 30 December 1896
Place of Birth: Marden, Kent, England
Died: 1975
Place of Death: Kent, England
 
 
Sidney William Highwood joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1917. An S.E.5a pilot, he was posted to 84 Squadron on 20 May 1918. During August, September and October of that year, he downed 7 German aircraft and 9 balloons.
British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920
 
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Lieut. Sidney William Highwood. (FRANCE)
   An Officer of exceptional skill and courage who, since 8th August, has accounted for nine enemy aircraft, driving down five kite balloons in flames, destroying two enemy machines, and shooting down two others out of control.
 
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Bar
Lieut. (A./Capt.) Sidney William. Highwood, D.F.C. (FRANCE)
   A courageous officer who has proved himself a skilful and bold fighter. Since 2nd October he has destroyed three enemy machines and four kite balloons, and has in addition rendered valuable service in attacking enemy troops on the ground.
 
Victories
Date Time Unit Aircraft Opponent Location
1 08 Aug 1918 1830 84 S.E.5a (C8496) Fokker D.VII (OOC) N of Foucaucourt
2 11 Aug 1918 1810 84 S.E.5a (C9869) Fokker D.VII (OOC) Villers Carbonnel
3 22 Aug 1918 1100 84 S.E.5a (C9869) Rumpler C (DES) 1 SE of Villers Carbonnel
4 04 Sep 1918 1330 84 S.E.5a (D6920) Balloon (DES) 2 Douvieux
5 05 Sep 1918 0950 84 S.E.5a (C9039) Balloon (DES) S of Poeuilly
6 07 Sep 1918 1130 84 S.E.5a (D6920) Balloon (DES) Bellenglise
7 14 Sep 1918 1030 84 S.E.5a (D6920) Balloon (DES) Bantouzelle
8 16 Sep 1918 0630 84 S.E.5a (C6490) Rumpler C (DES) 3 Selenoy
9 24 Sep 1918 0915 84 S.E.5a (E4071) Balloon (DES) Gouy
10 24 Sep 1918 1350 84 S.E.5a (E4071) Balloon (DES) Cambrai
11 24 Sep 1918 1350 84 S.E.5a (E4071) Balloon (DES) Cambrai
12 29 Sep 1918 1010 84 S.E.5a (E4071) Balloon (DES) 4 Beaurevoir
13 29 Sep 1918 1011 84 S.E.5a (E4071) Balloon (DES) L'Espagne
14 03 Oct 1918 1125 84 S.E.5a (E4071) Fokker D.VII (DESF) Mont d'Origny
15 03 Oct 1918 1815 84 S.E.5a (E4071) Fokker D.VII (DES) 5 E of Fresnoy
16 30 Oct 1918 0945 84 S.E.5a (E5073) Fokker D.VII (DES) Foret de Le Chelles

1 Shared with Lt George Vaughn
2 Shared with 2Lt Cecil Thompson
3 Shared with Lt Cecil Wilson
4 Shared with 2Lt D C Rees
5 Shared with Lt J G Coots (F5489)
 
Books
Norman Franks. SE 5/5a Aces of World War I. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2007
 
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