Richard Maybery

Captain Richard Aveline Maybery MC and Bar (1895–December 19, 1917) was a Welsh World War I flying ace.

Maybery was born in Brecon, Wales in January 1895, the only son of Aveline Maybery, a solicitor, and his wife Lucy. He was educated locally and at Wellington College, Berkshire, before going on to the Military College at Sandhurst.

After his graduation he joined the 21st (Empress of India's) Lancers. At the outbreak of war he served in the North West Frontier province until he was injured in a riding accident. Bored during his rehabilitation and unable to sit on a horse he became involved in observing for a unit of the Royal Flying Corps who were based nearby.

Later he travelled to Egypt where he trained to be a pilot, before he was posted to France with 56 Squadron. There he served with James McCudden, Arthur Rhys Davids and Keith Muspratt.

Maybery scored his 21st, and final victory, on 19 December 1917, when he shot down an Albatros DV over Bourlon Wood. Maybery's SE5a was then struck by enemy anti-aircraft fire, and crashed near the village of Hayecourt.

Maybery was buried at Flesquieres Hill British Cemetery, Nord, France.

A marble plaque dedicated to the memory of Richard Aveline Maybery, can be found in Brecon Cathedral. The plaque includes the prayer: ::"Almighty God..... enable us who remain in the safety of our homes to be worthy of those who have died for us...
grant us with a willing spirit to do whatever duty may be laid upon us."'

External links

* [http://www.hellfire-corner.demon.co.uk/Westlake23.htm Richard Maybery memorial]
* [http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/wales/maybery.php Richard Maybery]
* [http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=336959 CWGC listing]