Allegiance United Kingdom Rank Captain | Name Sidney Highwood Place of death Kent | |
Born 30 December 1896Marden, Kent, England ( 1896-12-30 ) Died 1975 (aged 78–79)Kent, England Service/branch British Army, Royal Air Force Unit Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment, No. 84 Squadron RAF | ||
Captain Sidney William Highwood (30 December 1896 – 1975) was a British World War I flying ace and balloon buster credited with sixteen aerial victories.
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Biography
Highwood was born in Marden, Kent, to William and Sarah Highwood, of Hertsfield Farm. He first served as a private in the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). In 1917 he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, and on 11 October was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant (on probation), being confirmed in his rank on 22 March 1918.
He was posted to No. 84 Squadron on 20 May 1918, flying the S.E.5a, where between 8 August and 30 October he accounted for nine enemy observation balloons, five Fokker D.VII fighters, and two Rumpler reconnaissance aircraft, for which he was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
On 9 October 1918 he was appointed a flight commander with the acting rank of captain, but left the RAF after the end of the war, being transferred to the unemployed list on 2 March 1919.
After the war Highwood returned to the family business of growing fruit and vegetables, acquiring Sheerland Farm in Pluckley, Kent, in 1929.