Captain Maurice Arthur Benjamin MC was a London born South African

flying ace A flying ace, fighter ace or air ace is a military aviation, military aviator credited with shooting down a certain minimum number of enemy aircraft during aerial combat; the exact number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an ...

active during World War I. He was credited with eight aerial victories while serving as an observer/gunner in two-seater fighters.

Early life

Maurice Arthur Benjamin was born in London on 10 July 1883. When World War I began, he was working as a theatrical manager in South Africa.

World War I

Benjamin joined the

Royal Flying Corps The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was the air arm of the British Army before and during the First World War until it merged with the Royal Naval Air Service on 1 April 1918 to form the Royal Air Force. During the early part of the war, the RFC sup ...

to serve in World War I. He began service as an

aerial observer Aerial may refer to: Music * ''Aerial'' (album), by Kate Bush, and that album's title track * "Aerials" (song), from the album ''Toxicity'' by System of a Down Bands * Aerial (Canadian band) * Aerial (Scottish band) * Aerial (Swedish band) ...

with 48 Squadron on 9 March 1917. He scored his first aerial victories on 6 and 9 April 1917 before being officially appointed as an observer on 11 April 1917. He would be credited with six more victories. As a result, he was awarded the Military Cross,

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18 July 1917:

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He helped to attack two large hostile machines, one of which was seen to crash to the ground. Previously he helped to engage three hostile scouts, one of which was destroyed and the remainder dispersed. He has helped to destroy four hostile machines in all.

He subsequently trained as a pilot, receiving

Royal Aero Club The Royal Aero Club (RAeC) is the national co-ordinating body for air sport in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1901 as the Aero Club of Great Britain, being granted the title of the "Royal Aero Club" in 1910. History The Aero Club was foun ...

certificate number 5883 on 3 February 1918. On 1 August 1918, he was promoted to temporary captain while on instructional duty with

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List of aerial victories

Post World War I

On 1 August 1919, Benjamin was granted a permanent commission as a lieutenant. Instead, he was put on the unemployed list of the Royal Air Force on 19 August 1919. His commission as lieutenant was cancelled on 5 September 1919.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Benjamin, Maurice 1883 births Year of death unknown Royal Flying Corps officers Recipients of the Military Cross British World War I flying aces British emigrants to South Africa Military personnel from London South African World War I flying aces British Army personnel of World War I