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Second Lieutenant Herman Norman Ullyott, 8th Sqdn., Royal Air Force - Just 11 days...
26/06/2025
First World War Air Force United Kingdom VIGNACOURT BRITISH CEMETERY
By Medal Department, Spink & Son

United Kingdom

Second Lieutenant Herbert Norman Ullyott
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CWGC thanks Spink & Son Ltd for this story.

Killed in a mid-air collision on 25 August 1918

Herbert Norman Ullyott was born at Hoylandswaine, Barnsley on 11 February 1899. Joining the workforce, he was employed as both a Clerk and Motor Mechanic at the Bullhouse Colliery Penistone between January 1913-November 1916.

At this point, he enlisted with the Yorkshire Hussars in July 1916. The unit was in Ireland when he enlisted however Ulyott seems to have spent his time in Hastings and St. Leonards, before going to Bath on 30 March 1918.

Applying to join the Royal Air Force he was accepted as a Cadet on 21 January 1918. Posted to Reading and later Uxbridge where with the School of Air Gunnery was based.Promoted to Temporary Second Lieutenant Observer on 30 July 1918, he was posted to No. 8 Squadron in France on the 4 August 1918.

Ulyott was out flying in RE8 B4163, piloted by 2nd Lieutenant Leslie Gilbert Kesterton on 15 August 1918. While he was testing his machine guns, their machine struck another plane coming out of a dive which crashed into his plane literally cutting it in two and bringing it to the ground. The other plane was a Sopwith Camel F5956 of No. 80 Squadron which was flown by 2nd Lieutenant George Smith. Kesterton was wounded but survived the war, whilst Smith was also killed and is buried in the same cemetery.

Ulyott had only served 11 days service in France and is buried in Vignacourt British Cemetery.

Vignacourt British Cemetery. © CWGC.
British War and Victory Medals issued to Mrs Martha Ann Ullyott © Spink & Son Ltd.
© Spink & Son Ltd.
Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque issued to Mrs Martha Ann Ullyott