Jeffrey Batters Home-Hay

Name:

Attestation Paper

Country:

Canada

Rank:

Captain

Service:

Royal Flying Corps

Unit:

53, 104

Victories:

Born:

02 February 1887

Place of Birth:

Alloa, Scotland

Died:

14 June 1953

Place of Death:

Kelvington, Saskatchewan, Canada

2nd Lieutenant Jeffrey Batters Home-Hay, of the 7th Reserve Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 3209 on a Maurice Farman biplane at military school, Catterick Bridge on 10 July 1916.

"One of Western Canada's distinguished airmen, Capt. J. B. Home-Hay, of Kamsack, Sask., winner of the Military Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross, arrived in Winnipeg last night. Although he went overseas as a private in an infantry battalion, Capt. Home-Hay took the first opportunity that presented itself of joining the Air Force, became a squadron commander and led a number of bombing attacks on German towns till his machine was crippled and he was taken a prisoner by the Germans.
"He left Winnipeg with the 32nd Battalion in 1915 and served with it in France until December of the same year, when he joined the Royal Air Force. For a spell he took part in the observation work that proved so helpful in directing artillery fire on the enemy.. He was then commissioned for bombing operations, and ultimately was promoted to the rank of squadron commander. In this capacity he led air raids on such towns as Mannheim, Karlsruhe, Mets, and Offenburg by the 104th squadron. While engaged in an attack on Karlsruhe the radiator of his plane was riddled by a German airman. He managed to land safely, but in German territory, and was taken prisoner and kept a captive till Dec 15, 1918."

Manitoba Free Press, Winnipeg, Saturday, July 12, 1919

Listed as Jeffery Batters Home-Hay in some sources.

Great Britain, Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificates, 1910-1950

Military Cross (MC)

2nd Lt. Jeffrey Batters Home-Hay, Arg. & Suth'd Highrs. and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed consistent ability and courage in observing for and ranging our artillery upon enemy guns, and trenches. His accurate Information was of the greatest value to our batteries.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 26 July 1917 (30204/7631)

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Lieut. (T./Capt.) Jeffrey Batters Home-Hay, M.C. (A. & S. Highrs.).
This officer displayed admirable coolness and resource while leading a raid on an enemy railway station. His formation was heavily attacked by seven aeroplanes, but keeping it well in hand, he fought his way to his objective; proceeding well over the station, he successfully bombed it. In the course of the severe fighting two hostile machines were shot down out of control, one of which he himself brought down. He has taken part in eight other raids, and his consistent gallantry is a valuable asset in maintaining the moral of his new squadron.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 21 September 1918 (30913/11252)

Victories

	Date	Time	Unit	Aircraft	Opponent	Location
1	30 Jun 1918	0740	104	D.H.9 ¹	Albatros D.V (DES)	Near Landau
2	06 Jul 1918	0845	104	D.H.9 (C2960) ¹	EA (OOC)	Metz
3	11 Aug 1918	0910	104	D.H.9 ²	Scout (OOC)	Karlsruhe
4	12 Aug 1918	0715	104	D.H.9 ¹	Fokker D.VII (DES)	Saverne
5	13 Aug 1918	1545	104	D.H.9 ²	Pfalz D.III (DES)	Corny
6	13 Aug 1918	1545	104	D.H.9 ²	Pfalz D.III (DES)	S of Corny
7	15 Aug 1918	1830	104	D.H.9 ²	Pfalz D.III (OOC)	Château Salins

1	Observer Lt Charles Blizard
2	Observer Sgt William Smith