Nickname(s) "Tich" Died December 17, 1986 Allegiance United Kingdom Rank Squadron leader | Name Leonard Rochford Role Military Officer | |
Born 11 October 1896
Enfield, England ( 1896-10-11 ) Years of service 1916–1919
1921
1939–1954 Battles/wars World War I
World War II Awards Distinguished Service Cross & bar
Distinguished Flying Cross Service/branch Royal Navy, Royal Air Force | ||
Battles and wars World War I, World War II | ||
Squadron Leader Leonard Henry Rochford (10 November 1896 – 17 December 1986) was a British World War I flying ace credited with twenty-nine aerial victories. He returned to military service in the Royal Air Force during World War II.
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World War I
Born in Enfield in 1896, Rochford attempted to join the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) at the outbreak of the war, but was rejected as being underage. Instead he went to university and also learned to fly, being granted Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificate No. 1840 after soloing an L. & P. biplane, at the London and Provincial School, Hendon, on 7 October 1915.
Rochford finally joined the Royal Navy in early 1916 as a probationary temporary flight sub-lieutenant, to serve in the Royal Naval Air Service, and was confirmed in his rank on 14 May 1916. He was posted to No. 3 Naval Squadron RNAS in January 1917. Initially flying a Sopwith Pup, he gained his first three aerial victories between March and July 1917., also gaining promotion to flight lieutenant on 30 June 1917.
His squadron was then re-equipped with the Sopwith Camel, and Rochford gained two more victories in September to attain "ace" status. He gained three more victories in January 1918, and six in March, bringing his total to fourteen. On 1 April 1918 the Royal Naval Air Service was merged with the Army's Royal Flying Corps to form the Royal Air Force, and Rochford's unit was renamed and renumbered as No. 203 Squadron RAF. He went on to gain five more victories in May, two in June, and four in July, and his final four between August and October. His 29 claims consisted of 13 enemy aircraft destroyed (including 7 shared), and 16 driven down out of control (including 5 shared).
Awards and citations
Inter-war career
Rochford was transferred to the RAF unemployed list on 17 April 1919, and received a mention in despatches in May "for valuable services rendered during the war". He was restored to the active list for temporary duty, with the rank of flight lieutenant, between 13 April and 4 June 1921, before being transferred back to the unemployed list.
World War II
On 9 May 1939, as the threat of war with Germany loomed, Rochford was granted a commission (Class CC) in the Reserve of Air Force Officers (RAFO), with the rank of flying officer (honorary flight lieutenant). On 1 September 1939, the day that the German invasion of Poland began, Rochford relinquished his commission in the RAFO, and was appointed a flight lieutenant in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He was promoted to squadron leader on 1 March 1942.
Rochford remained a reserve officer post-war, eventually relinquishing his commission on 10 February 1954, and was granted permission to retain his rank.
Personal life
Rochford married Elizabeth Maud Moffet (1895–1964). They had a son, James Donald Henry Rochford (1921–1986), who joined the Royal Navy during World War II, to serve as a lieutenant in Combined Operations, then qualified as a barrister after the war.