List of World War I aces from New Zealand


Below is the list of World War I flying aces from New Zealand. While New Zealand did not have its own military air service during World War I, many New Zealanders did join Australian or British military aviation to fight in the war. Some of New Zealand's first class of aces continued to serve post-war, whether in the Royal Air Force or the Royal New Zealand Air Force; some served in World War II. Several earned advanced rank in the process.
NameAir serviceVictoriesNotes
Keith CaldwellRoyal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force25Rose to Air Commodore in RNZAF.
Keith ParkRoyal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force20Rose to Chief Air Marshal; was a crucial commander in the Battle of Britain.
Ronald BannermanRoyal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force17Rose to Air Commodore.
Arthur ConinghamRoyal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force14Rose to Air Marshal in RAF; pioneered close air support.
Herbert Gilles WatsonAustralian Flying Corps14Highest scoring New Zealander in the AFC.
Clive Franklyn CollettRoyal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force12First military pilot in British service to parachute from an aircraft in January 1917.
Harold BeamishRoyal Naval Air Service, Royal Air Force11Highest scoring New Zealander in the RNAS.
Malcolm C. McGregorRoyal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force11
Frederick GordonRoyal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force9
Herbert DrewittRoyal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force7Earned a DFC for trench strafing exploits.
Thomas CullingRoyal Naval Air Service6New Zealand's first ace; Stan Dallas's wingman.
Forster MaynardRoyal Naval Air Service, Royal Air Force6Rose to Air Vice Marshal in RAF; commanded air defense of Malta during WWII.
Carrick PaulAustralian Flying Corps5
Alan ScottRoyal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force5Rose to Group Captain before early death.