Spencer B. Horn

Who was Spencer B. Horn?

Captain Spencer Bertram Horn was a World War I flying ace credited with thirteen aerial victories.

Horn was the youngest of seven children born to Penelope Elizabeth Belt and William Austin Horn. His six older siblings were born in Australia, but Horn's parents sailed back to England and landed the day before Horn was born.

Horn began his military service in the Dragoon Guards, but transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. His first assignment after training was to 60 Squadron, from April to November 1917; his Flight Commander was Billy Bishop. Horn scored his first two victories while flying a Nieuport fighter for 60 Squadron on the second and sixth of May 1917. The squadron upgraded to Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5as. On this new mount, Horn and William Molesworth set an Albatros D.III afire on 5 August 1917. When Bishop transferred out of the squadron to form and command 85 Squadron, Horn took his place as C Flight Commander. Horn went on to run his string to six by 5 September 1917. He then went to instructor duty at Ayr with the Home Establishment.

He thus had over an eight-month lapse before he began scoring again as a Flight Commander in 85 Squadron; Bishop had him transferred in March 1918. Beginning on 30 May 1918 and ongoing until 17 September 1918, he reeled off seven more wins. His final tally was seven enemy planes destroyed, six driven down out of control.