Allegiance United Kingdom Rank Captain | Awards Military Cross Name Francis Kitto | |
Born 1 January 1897
Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales ( 1897-01-01 ) Died 25 June 1926(1926-06-25) (aged 29)
Pontypridd Cottage Hospital Service/branch British Army
Royal Air Force Unit Welch Regiment
No. 43 Squadron RFC
No. 49 Squadron RFC
No. 54 Squadron RAF | ||
Captain Francis Mansel Kitto (1 January 1897 – 25 June 1926) was a Welsh-born flying ace credited with nine official aerial victories during World War I.
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Early life
Kitto was born at Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, on New Year's Day 1897. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Kitto.
World War I
On 9 November 1916, Kitto was transferred from the Welch Regiment to the Royal Flying Corps; he was commissioned a second lieutenant and appointed a flying officer. By early 1917, he was posted to 43 Squadron on the Western Front. Using a Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter, on 17 March 1917, he drove down a German Albatros D.II east of Arras for his first aerial victory. He repeated his feat on both 8 April and 17 August 1917. He then transferred to 54 Squadron as a Sopwith Camel pilot. On 1 December 1917, temporary lieutenant Kitto was appointed a flight commander, with the usual promotion to temporary captain. Between 15 March and 4 July 1918, he scored six more aerial victories, to bring his total to four German planes destroyed and five driven down out of control. On 22 June 1918, he was awarded the Military Cross for his exploits. His citation read:
Temporary Captain Francis Mansel Kitto, General List and R.F.C.Post war career
Kitto transferred to piloting Airco DH.9 bombers during 1919. On 24 June 1924, Kitto was granted a Class A commission in the Royal Air Force as a flying officer on probation. He was confirmed in his rank on 24 December 1924.
Francis Mansel Kitto died in Pontypridd Cottage Hospital, Wales on 25 June 1926.