William Curphey


Captain William George Sellar Curphey was a British World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.

Early life and entry into military

Curphey was born in Glasgow, Scotland to Mr. and Mrs. William Salvador Curphey, who at the time of his death were residing at 87 Canfield Gardens, Hampstead, Middlesex, England; the elder William Curphey was a civil servant. The younger William Curphey was educated at Glasgow Academy, at University College School, Hampstead, and at King's College London. He belonged to the Officers' Training Corps at London University.

Military career

Professional advancement

Curphey enlisted into the Princess Charlotte of Wales's in the early days of World War I. His commission as temporary second lieutenant in that regiment was gazetted 16 November 1914. A promotion to temporary lieutenant followed on 1 June 1915. On 15 July 1916, Curphey was transferred from the Berkshires to the General List of the Royal Flying Corps. He was advanced from pilot officer to flight commander with an accompanying promotion to temporary captain on 8 January 1917.

Aerial success

Curphey was one of the original pilots of 32 Squadron, which was posted with its Airco DH.2s to the Battle of the Somme in France on 28 May 1916. He scored six wins between 22 August 1916 and 7 February 1917; one of them was shared with fellow ace James Robb. On 4 February, he suffered a slight head wound and was forced to land by Leutnant Erwin Böhme; this was Böhme's tenth victory.

Death in combat

On 14 May 1917, Curphey was one of a trio of patrollers who attacked three German observation balloons. Six Albatros fighters then attacked them. An Albatros on Curphey's tail became Saint Cyprian Tayler's second victim. Curphey was then shot down by Leutnant Franz Walz as the German ace's seventh victory. Curphey's plane was 20 feet from a crashlanding when it burst into flames. He died of the resulting burns the following day, in a German field hospital in Bouchain. At the time of his death, Curphey had a promotion to major pending; the new rank would have removed him from flight status.

Honours and awards

;Military Cross
;Bar to the Military Cross