Frederick James Powell, OBE, MC (13 August 1895 – May 1992) was a British flying ace of the First World War, credited with six confirmed and nine unconfirmed aerial victories.
[1] Powell began his military service in August 1913, when he joined the Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry, a unit of the Territorial Force.
[2] On 21 September 1914, soon after the outbreak of the war, he transferred to the 18th (Service) Battalion (3rd City) of the Manchester Regiment, part of the New Army, as a second lieutenant.
He had a string of four unconfirmed claims during October and November,[8] and on 15 December he was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain.
[11] In February 1917 Powell was appointed chief fighting instructor in the RFC's Northern Group, based at York,[2] and from April he commanded No.
[11] On 2 February 1918, during an offensive patrol over the Douai sector, Powell was wounded and his engine disabled during a dogfight[2] with Max Kühn of Jasta 10.
[14][15][16] On 12 December 1919 Powell was granted a short service commission in the RAF, with the rank of flight lieutenant,[17] but this was cancelled a week later.
[24] On 19 September 1939, soon after the outbreak of the Second World War, Powell was granted a commission "for the duration of hostilities" as a pilot officer on probation in the Administrative and Special Duties Branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.