Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PUMPED UP HERO
Shot down balloon pilot took off again
A BRAVE First World War balloon pilot shot down at 4,500ft while spying on the Germans instantly returned to his post, it has emerged.
Second Lieutenant William Dollery was attacked by an enemy fighter over the Western Front and had no choice but to parachute out of his basket.
However, as soon as he hit the ground he found the nearest balloon, hopped into it and took to the skies again to carry on his watch.
Lt Dollery then carried on observing the battlefield until the second balloon was pulled down due to bad weather.
His remarkable actions as a “balloonatic” in September 1918 won him a prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross for his “magnificent fearlessness”.
Now his story can be told for the first time after his medals emerged for sale from a private collector with London auctioneers Spink & Son.
They are expected to sell for £3,200 today.
Lt Dollery, from Ropley,
Hants, worked as a mechanical engineer on the railways before war broke out in 1914. He enlisted with the Hampshire Yeomanry before being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery.
He was then appointed as a kite balloon officer in the RAF in 1918 and served with distinction in No 11 Section, 12th Kite Balloon Company. Lt Dollery left the armed forces in 1919 to return to work as a mechanical engineer but died in 1927 aged just 36. He was survived by his wife, Ada. Marcus Budgen, from Spink & Son, said: “Dollery showed the true fighting spirit of the pioneering airmen of the Great War.
“He displayed superb bravery and was one of just 35 Balloon Officers likewise decorated for their observing work.” He added: “His service is very inspiring when you consider he went back to his post having been forced to use his parachute after being attacked.”