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Name: Walter Alfred Southey Balloon-Buster
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and Bar Walter Southey
Country: England
Rank: Captain
Service: Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force
Units: 48, 84
Victories: 20
Born: 29 April 1897
Place of Birth: Bermondsey, London
Died: 17 April 1920
Place of Death: England
 
 
The son of Walter & Emma Southey, Walter Alfred Southey joined the army in February 1916. He was promoted to temporary 2nd Lieutenant (on probation) with the Royal Flying Corps on 5 August 1916. In 1917 he joined 48 Squadron as a Bristol Fighter pilot. He scored no victories until he was reassigned to 84 Squadron in April 1918. Becoming a flight commander during the summer of 1918, he narrowly escaped capture when he inadvertently landed his aircraft behind enemy lines. Flying the S.E.5a, Southey was credit with twenty victories. He died as the result of an unknown accident which fractured his skull.
 
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Lieut. (T./Capt.) Walter Alfred Southey.
   A gallant and skilful officer. On the 9th August, observing a large body of enemy troops and artillery on a road, he descended to 50 feet and bombed them, causing heavy casualties; he then engaged them with machine-gun fire, inflicting further loss and scattering them in all directions. He displays great courage in the air, having accounted for seven enemy aircraft.
 
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Bar
Lt. (A./Capt.) Walter Alfred Southey, D.F.C. (FRANCE)
   An officer of ready resource whose skilful leadership is of the greatest value to his squadron. Since 23rd August Captain Southey has destroyed five enemy kite balloons and three machines, while he has also driven down two aircraft completely out of control.
 
Victories
Date Time Unit Aircraft Opponent Location
1 02 May 1918 1450 84 S.E.5a (D5399) Albatros D.V (OOC) E of Abancourt
2 16 May 1918 1620 84 S.E.5a (D5399) Fokker DR.I (DES) NNW of Abancourt
3 05 Jun 1918 1235 84 S.E.5a (D5399) Rumpler C (DES) 1 200 yds W of Moreuil
4 18 Jun 1918 1055 84 S.E.5a (B8399) Fokker D.VII (OOC) Abancourt
5 01 Aug 1918 1005 84 S.E.5a (C1834) Fokker D.VII (DES) Suzanne aerodrome
6 07 Aug 1918 0955 84 S.E.5a (C1834) Rumpler C (DES) E of Arvillers
7 10 Aug 1918 1800 84 S.E.5a (C1834) Fokker D.VII (OOC) Péronne-Brie
8 17 Aug 1918 0900 84 S.E.5a (C1834) Fokker D.VII (OOC) Estrées
9 25 Aug 1918 0945 84 S.E.5a (C1834) LVG C (OOC) 2 N of Foucaucourt
10 29 Aug 1918 1445 84 S.E.5a (C1834) Fokker D.VII (OOC) W of Athies
11 03 Sep 1918 0615 84 S.E.5a (C1834) C (DESF) 3 S of Manancourt-Nurlu Road
12 03 Sep 1918 0645 84 S.E.5a (C1834) Balloon (DES) Fins
13 03 Sep 1918 1530 84 S.E.5a (C1834) Balloon (DES) N of Fins
14 14 Sep 1918 1030 84 S.E.5a (E6008) Balloon (DES) Gonnlieu
15 14 Oct 1918 0700-0900 84 S.E.5a (E4071) Balloon (DES) E of Mont d'Origny
16 22 Oct 1918 0915 84 S.E.5a (F5625) Balloon (DES) Prisches
17 23 Oct 1918 1115 84 S.E.5a (F5625) Fokker D.VII (DES) S of Fontaine
18 27 Oct 1918 0910 84 S.E.5a (E4071) Fokker D.VII (OOC) Esqueheries
19 28 Oct 1918 0750 84 S.E.5a (E5963) LVG C (DES) La Queue de Boue
20 30 Oct 1918 0930 84 S.E.5a (H685) Fokker D.VII (DES) Foret de Nouvion

1 Shared with Capt Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor
2 Shared with 2Lt Cecil Wilson
3 Shared with Lt A E Hill, 2Lt Cecil Wilson, Lt E R W Miller, 2Lt F R Christiani
 
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