Herbert Gould

Captain Herbert Ruska Gould (23 December 1891 – 14 August 1918) was a British World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.[1]

Herbert Ruska Gould
Born(1891-12-23)23 December 1891
Sydney, Australia
Died14 August 1918(1918-08-14) (aged 26)
near Douai, France
Commemorated at
Arras Flying Services Memorial, Pas de Calais, France
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchBritish Army
Royal Air Force
Years of service1914–1918
RankCaptain
UnitCity of London Yeomanry
No. 18 Squadron RFC/RAF
Battles/warsWorld War I
AwardsMilitary Cross
RelationsNathaniel Gould (father)

Biography

Gould was born in Sydney, Australia, the second son of English journalist and novelist Nathaniel "Nat" Gould and Elizabeth Madeline Gould (née Ruska). When he was four his family returned to England, living in Bedfont, Middlesex, where Gould attended the Highfields Road School in Chertsey. Gould then obtained a position as clerk in an oil firm in the City of London, and joined the City of London Yeomanry as a private at the outbreak of World War I.[2]

In mid-1917 Gould transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as a cadet, being appointed a probationary second lieutenant on 5 July 1917.[3] He was confirmed in his rank, on completion of his training, on 8 October.[4]

Gould was assigned to No. 18 Squadron on the Western Front, flying the Airco DH.4 day bomber. He gained his first victory on 26 March 1918 destroying an Albatros D.V over Bihucourt. On 12 April he took a share in the downing of two Pfalz D.III's over Estaires, and drove down another solo in the same area on 9 May.[1] On 24 June he was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain.[5] He drove down another Pfalz D.III over Douai on 31 July, and a shared in the driving down of a Fokker D.VII west of there on 9 August.[1]

Gould was reported missing in action near Douai on 14 August 1918, together with his gunner/observer Second Lieutenant Ewart William Frederick Jinman. As he has no known grave, his name is included on the Flying Services Memorial at Arras in northern France.[2]

Gould was awarded the Military Cross, which was gazetted on 13 September, after his death. His citation read:

Temporary Lieutenant Herbert Ruska Gould, General List and Royal Air Force.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has carried out 24 successful bombing raids, several of which he has led, and 26 low reconnaissance and bombing flights, as well as many low-flying, harassing and bombing patrols, during which many direct hits have been obtained and severe casualties inflicted. He has destroyed three enemy machines and has shown a very high spirit of zeal throughout.[6]

References
  1. "Herbert Ruska Gould". The Aerodrome. 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  2. Askey, Tom (2015). "Herbert Ruska Gould". Nat Gould.org. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  3. "No. 30203". The London Gazette (Supplement). 24 July 1917. p. 7607.
  4. "No. 30356". The London Gazette (Supplement). 26 October 1917. p. 11114.
  5. "No. 30781". The London Gazette. 5 July 1918. p. 7945.
  6. "No. 30901". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 September 1918. p. 10955.
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