William Molesworth

Who was William Molesworth?

Lieutenant Colonel William Earle Molesworth MC was a First World War flying ace credited with eighteen aerial victories.

He was born 14 March 1894, the son of Lt-Col William Molesworth, C.B.E, C.I.E., Indian Medical Service.

Molesworth attended Marlborough College from 1908 to 1912. He then trained for an army career at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, from 1912 to 1914. On 8 August 1914, he was commissioned second lieutenant into the Royal Munster Fusiliers. He went into combat on the Western Front in October 1914. He was wounded in December, but returned to duty and served with the Fusiliers until March 1916. Molesworth then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps with a temporary commission. He graduated pilot's training in February 1917 at Upavon's Central Flying School.

His first combat assignment with the RFC was No. 60 Squadron. By April, he was Flight Leader of A Flight. Flying a Nieuport 17, he scored his first victory on 22 April 1917. His next three triumphs were also scored flying a Nieuport; then he switched to an RAF SE.5a for his next two in early August. He then moved to Home Establishment back in England until October.