William Sanday

Who is William Sanday?

Major William Douglas Stock Sanday was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.

Sanday began his aviation career with 2 Squadron. On 11 October 1915, he used his Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2c in conjunction with two other friendly airplanes to force down a German Albatros two-seater and capture the air crew. In 1916, he transferred to 70 Squadron to fly a Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter. On 6 August 1916, once again with the help of a couple of compatriots, he forced two more Albatros C-types to land. A month later, on 6 September, he teamed with Bernard Beanlands to destroy a Roland C.II and kill observer ace Hans Rosencrantz and pilot ace Wilhelm Fahlbusch. After the Officer Commanding of 19 Squadron, Major D. H. Harvey-Kelly was killed in action on 29 April 1917, Sanday was promoted into his position. Flying a Spad VII single-seat fighter, he tallied his last win on 13 July 1917, destroying a German observation plane over Lille.