Alfred Blenkiron
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Alfred Victor Blenkiron MC
was a World War I
flying ace
credited with five aerial victories.
Blenkiron joined the Royal Flying Corps
after serving in the Somerset Light Infantry. He flew as an observer with No. 22 Squadron on the Western Front
from 17 March to 8 August 1916, as an observer/gunner in the front of a FE.2b pusher
.
He then served with No. 23 Squadron from 5 to 14 October 1916, transferring to No. 25 Squadron on 3 December 1916, again as an observer on the FE.2b. He scored his first success by destroying a Halberstadt D.III on 23 January 1917. Six days later, he scored a kill despite being wounded, setting an Albatros D.II
aflame; he was awarded the Military Cross
for this action.
After recovering from his wound he trained as a pilot and was assigned to No. 56 Squadron on 3 December 1917. Flying the Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a he scored two victories with No. 56, driving down an Albatros D.V
on 15 December 1917 and a German two-seater on 25 January 1918. He was later transferred back to England as one of the original pilots of No. 151 Squadron, the RFC's first dedicated night fighter squadron.
He accompanied this unit back into combat in France, and flying Sopwith Camel
No. D9577, and forced down a Friedrichshafen G.III
of Bogohl 3, which was captured.
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
was a World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with five aerial victories.
Blenkiron joined the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
after serving in the Somerset Light Infantry. He flew as an observer with No. 22 Squadron on the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
from 17 March to 8 August 1916, as an observer/gunner in the front of a FE.2b pusher
Pusher
Pusher may refer to:* A dealer in the illegal drug trade* Pusher , a 1996 Danish film by Nicolas Winding Refn* Pusher II, a 2004 film sequel* Pusher III, a 2005 film sequel* Pusher configuration, an aircraft configuration...
.
He then served with No. 23 Squadron from 5 to 14 October 1916, transferring to No. 25 Squadron on 3 December 1916, again as an observer on the FE.2b. He scored his first success by destroying a Halberstadt D.III on 23 January 1917. Six days later, he scored a kill despite being wounded, setting an Albatros D.II
Albatros D.II
|-See also:...
aflame; he was awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
for this action.
After recovering from his wound he trained as a pilot and was assigned to No. 56 Squadron on 3 December 1917. Flying the Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a he scored two victories with No. 56, driving down an Albatros D.V
Albatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
on 15 December 1917 and a German two-seater on 25 January 1918. He was later transferred back to England as one of the original pilots of No. 151 Squadron, the RFC's first dedicated night fighter squadron.
He accompanied this unit back into combat in France, and flying Sopwith Camel
Sopwith Camel
The Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter introduced on the Western Front in 1917. Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company, it had a short-coupled fuselage, heavy, powerful rotary engine, and concentrated fire from twin synchronized machine guns. Though difficult...
No. D9577, and forced down a Friedrichshafen G.III
Friedrichshafen G.III
|-See also:-References and notes:*The Complete Encyclopedia of Flight 1848-1939 by John Batchelor and Malcom V. Lowe*Grosz, Peter M.: Windsock Datafile 65 Friedrichshafen G.III / G.IIIa, Berkhamsted 1997, ISBN 0-948414-97-9-External links:*...
of Bogohl 3, which was captured.
Honours and awards
Military Cross- 3 March 1917 - Temp. 2nd Lt. Alfred Victor Blenkiron, Som. L.I. and R.F.C. is awarded the Military CrossMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(MC) For conspicuous gallantry in action. Although wounded, he fired his machine-gun with great skill and brought down an enemy machine, thereby enabling his pilot to bring his machine safely home. On another occasion he displayed great courage when observing on patrol, and brought down a hostile machine.