Description
This book comprises a register of all the known airmen of Great Britain and the Empire who won the Military Cross during the First World War 1914-19. The first recipients of the Military Cross, which was newly instituted in December 1914, were announced in the London Gazette of 1 January 1915. Most awards were for gallantry in the air, but a few were for escaping or for services whilst prisoners of war, whilst others were used to reward ground staff before more appropriate awards became available.
The authors have unearthed detailed service and biographical information of over one thousand airmen together with, in most cases, the full citations and, sometimes, the recommendations for their decorations. About two thirds of the entries are illuminated by a portrait photograph. This is a unique collection of research relating to these flyers, pilots, observers and ground personnel. It contains a wealth of amazing and interesting stories. These were a special breed of men, and this book is a remarkable record of gallantry in the air.
