Allegiance United Kingdom Role RAF officer Name John Aldridge Unit No. 19 Squadron RAF | Rank Lieutenant Years of service 1917–1919 Died 1988 | |
Born 9 February 1899
Gravely, Hertfordshire ( 1899-02-09 ) Battles/wars First World War
Second World War Awards Order of the British Empire
Belgian Croix de Guerre Other work Served in Air Training Corps during the Second World War
Secretary at the Veterinary Laboratory near Woking | ||
Service/branch Royal Flying Corps Battles and wars World War I, World War II | ||
Lieutenant John Arthur Aldridge was a First World War flying ace credited with five aerial victories. He returned to the colours during the Second World War, joining the Air Training Corps.
Aldridge joined the Royal Flying Corps as an officer cadet, and was made a temporary second lieutenant on 24 May 1917. He received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 4846 on a Maurice Farman biplane at Ruislip on 16 June 1917. He was posted to No. 19 Squadron in early 1918, where he scored five victories flying the Sopwith Dolphin between April and September. He officially left the RAF on 12 January 1919.
On 18 June 1919, Alridge joined the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries as an Assistant Clerk (Abstractor).
During Second World War, he served in the Training Branch of the RAF, with the rank of pilot officer, until 31 March 1945.
He became Secretary at the Veterinary Laboratory near Woking, and in December 1948 was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his work in the Civil Service.