A new set of records of medals awarded to pioneering pilots in the Royal Flying Corps in the First World War is now free to search online.
A collection of 11,992 Royal Flying Corps and Successors Gallantry Award Medal Index Cards, dating from 1914 to 1925, has been digitised on Forces War Records.
Forces War Records is owned by Ancestry and is available to Ancestry All Access subscribers.
The Royal Flying Corps was formed in 1912 and originally consisted of both military and naval wings.
It became active in the First World War, the first war to feature aerial combat.
In 1914, the naval wing split from the Corps to form the Royal Naval Air Service. The two merged in 1918 to form the Royal Air Force.
The record set, which is held at The National Archives, consists of index cards listing the medals awarded to individuals in the Corps, as well as other details about their service.
For example, the records include an entry for Edward Mannock. Born in 1887, Mannock was a celebrated pilot who achieved the title of flying ace, awarded to a pilot who shoots down five or more enemy aircraft. Mannock downed 61 planes in total and was the fifth highest scoring pilot of the war.
Unusually, Mannock’s card is a ‘Mention in Despatch’ card, awarded to those who were mentioned in an official report to high command by a superior officer for a noteworthy act of service or gallantry. It says that his mention in despatches appeared in the London Gazette.
Mannock’s record card gives his rank as second lieutenant and notes that he originally joined the Royal Engineers before joining the Royal Flying Corps. The words ‘Died 26.7.18’ are written in pencil on his record.
It lists his awards, including ‘M. Cross’ (Military Cross), ‘D.S.O’ (Distinguished Service Order) and ‘VC’ (Victoria Cross), which was awarded to him posthumously on 18 July 1919.
The Medal Index Cards are free to search on Forces War Records until 23.59pm BST on Wednesday 9 October 2024, although you will have to register on the website.