Leslie Warren

Captain Leslie Reginald Warren DFC (born 21 January 1899, date of death unknown) was British flying ace in World War I who was credited with eight aerial victories.[1]

Leslie Reginald Warren
Born(1899-01-21)21 January 1899
Natal, South Africa
DiedUnknown
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Navy
Royal Air Force
Years of service1917–1919
RankCaptain
UnitNo. 6 (Naval) Squadron RNAS
No. 206 Squadron RAF
Battles/warsWorld War I
 • Western Front
AwardsDistinguished Flying Cross

Biography

Warren was born in Natal, South Africa to English parents. Biographical sources indicate that his father was Reginald C. Warren, a solicitor from Weybridge, Surrey, while his mother, Kathleen M. Warren, was from Hurstpierpoint, Sussex. By 1901 the family were resident in Kensington, London.[1] However, the source of this information appears to be from the 1901 census and close scrutiny of the document shows that he, and his real mother Margaret Amy Warren, were actually recorded as visitors in the household of Reginald and Kathleen Warren, who were his aunt and uncle.[2][3] Warren's father was Bernard William Warren, who had been killed during the Battle of Colenso in 1899.[4]

Warren joined the Royal Navy to serve in the Royal Naval Air Service, and on 26 September 1917 was promoted from temporary probationary flight officer to temporary flight sub-lieutenant.[5]

He was posted to No. 6 (Naval) Squadron RNAS,[1] which on 1 April 1918, following the merging of the Army's Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the RNAS, became No. 206 Squadron RAF.

Flying an Airco DH.9 two-seater bomber Warren was credited with his first victory on 3 May 1918, shooting down an Albatros D.V fighter south of Merville, with Lieutenant O'Brien as his observer. On 7 June he and his observer Second Lieutenant Penny shared in the driving down of an enemy aircraft over Bac Saint-Maur with Second Lieutenant C. M. Hyslop and Corporal J. W .Pacey.[1]

Warren was then paired with Lieutenant Leonard Christian as his observer. On 1 July they sent a Pfalz D.III fighter down in flames over Houthem.[1] On 4 July Warren was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain.[6] Early on 29 July Warren and Christian drove down another D.III over Roulers, and sent two more down in flames that evening north of Menen. On 1 August they accounted for two more between Menen and Wervicq, bringing Warren's total to eight,[1] and Christian's to nine.[7]

Warren was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, which was gazetted on 20 September 1918. His citation read:

Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) Leslie Reginald Warren (late R.N.A.S.).
"This officer has taken part in forty-six successful raids, fourteen of which he has led. In these operations his formation has only suffered one casualty. This remarkable immunity has been in the main due to his brilliant and skilful leadership; he combines keenness and determination with sound, clear judgment. In addition to raids, he has taken many area photographs, and carried out five long-distance reconnaissances, rendering valuable reports."[8]

Warren was eventually transferred to the RAF's unemployed list on 11 March 1919.[9]

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References
  1. "Leslie Reginald Warren". The Aerodrome. 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  2. "1901 census". Familysearch. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  3. "Warren's training record showing mother's name". Flickr. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  4. "Bernard William Warren". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  5. "No. 30348". The London Gazette. 23 October 1917. pp. 10904–10905.
  6. "No. 30803". The London Gazette. 19 July 1918. p. 8504.
  7. "Leonard Arthur Christian". The Aerodrome. 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  8. "No. 30913". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 September 1918. p. 11255.
  9. "No. 31251". The London Gazette. 25 March 1919. p. 3889.
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