The Great War - Flying Aces

On 18th August 1894, William Lambert was born in Ohio. In 1917, he joined the Royal Flying Corps and by 20th March 1918, after completing his training, William was flying SE.5A.

Between April and August 1918, William was able to score 18 victories and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. After completing a vast number of combat missions, William was sent back to England after suffering from Combat Fatigue. He was still in hospital when the news of Armistice was announced. 

After the war, William worked as an engineer but at the start of the war he left and joined the Army Air Forces. In 1954 he retired from the US Air Force as Lieutenant Colonel and in 1973 he wrote about his experience in his memoir titled "Combat Report". 

William died on 19th March 1982 aged 87.

The Great War - Flying Aces

On the 28th May 1893, Donald Maclaren was born in Canada. In 1914, Donald, his father and his brother had opened a fur trading post but by 1916 this was closed to help the war effort instead. Donald joined the Royal Flying Corps.

In November 1917, after extensive training, Donald was sent to France. His first combat mission didn't take place until February where he shot down a German fighter plane. By March 1918, Donald had helped destroy a railway gun, then go on to shoot down a balloon as well as two German LVG two seaters. For this he was awarded the Military Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

When his Squadron Commander was killed in a crash, Donald was promoted to the role. In late October, whilst competing in a friendly wrestling match with his comrades, Donald broke his leg and was subsequently sent back to hospital in England. He was still there when the Armistice news filtered through. 

By the end of the war Donald had seen just seven months of combat. However in this time he had a Military Cross & Bar, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the DSO, the French Legion of Honour and the Croix De Guerre to his name.

After the war, Donald spent two years in command of the Canadian pilots stationed in England with the Royal Canadian Airforce before later forming Pacific Airways. He died on the 4th July 1988 in British Columbia aged 95.

The Great War - Flying Aces

Ontario, 1894 a boy named William Bishop was born. Years later in 1914, this young man joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force, but by 1915, he had transferred to the British Royal Flying Corp. He high skills meant that he was soon promoted to Commander of the Flying Foxes. In twelve days he had scored 25 victories and so was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

On the 2nd June 1917, William single handedly attacked a German aerodrome and was awarded the Victoria Cross. By the end of the war, William had a staggering 72 victories to his name and continued his service in the Canadian Airforce.