Air Vice MarshalForster Herbert Martin "Sammy" Maynard,CB,AFC(1 May 1893 – 26 January 1976) was a senior commander in theRoyal Air Forceand aflying acecredited with six aerial victories during theFirst World War.[1]He also served as the Air Officer CommandingMaltaduring the early part of theSecond World War.
Forster Herbert Martin Maynard | |
|---|---|
 Forster Maynard by Elliott & Fry | |
| Nickname(s) | Sammy |
| Born | 1 May 1893 Waiuku,New Zealand |
| Died | 26 January 1976(aged 82) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Navy(1914–18) Royal Air Force(1918–45) |
| Years of service | 1914–45 |
| Rank | Air Vice Marshal |
| Unit | No. 1 Squadron RNAS |
| Commands | No. 19 (Reconnaissance) Group(1944–45) RAF Mediterranean(1940–41) University of London Air Squadron(1935–37) No. 12 Squadron(1929–30) |
| Battles / wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Air Force Cross Mentioned in Despatches(4) Commander of the Legion of Merit(United States) |
| Relations | Air Chief MarshalNigel Maynard(son) |
His son,Nigel Maynard,also became an air marshal in the RAF.
Early life
editHe was born in New Zealand to aChurch of Englandclergyman. The family returned to England two years later and he was educated atSt John's School, Leatherhead,andUniversity College London.[2]
World War I
editMaynard joined theRoyal Naval Divisionin 1914 as an engineer. He transferred to theRoyal Naval Air Servicethe following year. After training, he became an instructor until 1916.[3]
In January 1917, he was posted toNo. 1 Squadron RNASon the Western Front. While there, flying aSopwith Triplane,he ran up a string of six victories from 29 April through 1 June 1917; his final tally included an enemy fighter set afire, another one destroyed in conjunction with a couple of squadron mates, and four enemy planes driven down out of control, including one shared withCyril Ridleyand six other pilots.[3]
In September 1917, he was transferred to the aircraft depot atDunkirk.After his return to England, he was injured in a crash. After recovery, he became officer commanding of a training depot.[3]He subsequently received the Air Force Cross for his work in training.
Inter war
editBetween the wars he attended theImperial Defence College.He was posted to HQIraq Commandand served administrative positions for the Air Staff.
World War II
editWhenItalydeclared war in June 1940, a part of the very limited strength of the fighter squadron based at Malta were fourGloster Gladiators,which were found in crates marked "Boxed Spares – Property of the Royal Navy" (these having been left byHMSGloriousin April). Maynard obtained permission to assemble them, and three of these units, named "Faith", "Hope", and "Charity", they were part of the initially limited defence during theSiege of Malta.[4]
After he was replaced on Malta, he was AOA, HQRAF Coastal Command.In 1944 he was AOC ofNo. 19 (Reconnaissance) Group.
Notes
editReferences
edit- Forster Maynard at New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum
- Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920.Christopher F. Shores, Norman L. R. Franks, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1990.ISBN0-948817-19-4,ISBN978-0-948817-19-9.
- Playfair, Major-General I.S.O.;Molony, Brigadier C.J.C.; with Flynn, Captain F.C. (R.N.) & Gleave, Group Captain T.P. (2009) [1st. pub.HMSO:1954].Butler, Sir James(ed.).The Mediterranean and Middle East, Volume I: The Early Successes Against Italy, to May 1941.History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series. Uckfield, UK: Naval & Military Press.ISBN978-1-84574-065-8.
- Air Vice-Marshal F H M Maynard – Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation