William Ernest Staton

Who was William Ernest Staton?

Air Vice-Marshal William Ernest Staton CB, DSO & Bar, MC, DFC & Bar was a British airman who began his career as a First World War flying ace credited with 26 victories. He was transferred to the Royal Air Force on its creation and remained in the RAF during the inter-war years. During the Second World War he served in England and pioneering the bombing technique of using pathfinders to mark targets. He then served in the Far East before becoming a Japanese prisoner of war. After the war he returned to Great Britain and the RAF where he reached air rank and captaining the British Olympic Shooting Team.