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Whilst serving with the Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert's), Alfred Victor Blenkiron was promoted to temporary 2nd Lieutenant on 19 October 1915. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1916. An observer with 25 Squadron in January 1917, Blenkiron was wounded scoring his second victory from an F.E.2b. For his actions that month, he was awarded the Military Cross. On 3 June 1917, 2nd Lieutenant Blenkiron received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 4842 on a Maurice Farman biplane at Military School, Gosport. Posted to 56 Squadron as a pilot, he scored two more victories flying the S.E.5a. With 151 Squadron in August 1918, he claimed his fifth victory flying the Sopwith Camel. When the war ended, Blenkiron's marital and financial problems led to a premature death. His body was found in a hotel room in Coulsdon on Saturday morning, 20 March 1920. A coroner's inquest determined he died from prussic acid poisoning. |
Great Britain, Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificates, 1910-1950
The Western Times, Devon, England, Friday, 23 May 1919, page 11
The Western Times, Devon, England, Thursday, 12 June 1919, page 2
Aberdeen Daily Journal, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Wednesday, 24 March 1920, page 6
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| Distinguished Service Order (DSO) |
Temp. 2nd Lt. Alfred Victor Blenkiron,
Som. L.I. and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry in action. Although wounded, he fired his machine-gun with great skill and brought down an enemy machine, thereby enabling his pilot to bring his machine safely home. On another occasion he displayed great courage when observing on patrol, and brought down a hostile machine.
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| Victories |
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Date |
Time |
Unit |
Aircraft |
Opponent |
Location |
| 1 |
23 Jan 1917 |
1130 |
25 |
F.E.2b (4925) 1 |
Halberstadt D.II (DES) |
E of Lens |
| 2 |
29 Jan 1917 |
1050 |
25 |
F.E.2b (A784) 2 |
Albatros D.II (DES) |
Harnes |
| 3 |
15 Dec 1917 |
0900 |
56 |
S.E.5a (B56) |
Albatros D.V (OOC) |
Bourlon Wood |
| 4 |
25 Jan 1918 |
1410 |
56 |
S.E.5a (B66) |
C (OOC) |
SW of Cambrai |
| 5 |
14 Aug 1918 |
1045 |
151 |
Sopwith Camel (D9577) |
AEG G.III (G.875/17) |
Bapaume |
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| 1 |
Pilot Lt B Mews |
| 2 |
Pilot 2Lt W Shirtcliffe |
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