Frank Ransley

Captain Frank Cecil Ransley was a World War I flying ace credited with nine aerial victories. He would survive the war to become one of its eldest aces before dying at 95 years of age.

Early life
Frank Cecil Ransley was born in Caversham, Berkshire, England on 18 October 1897. He entered World War I as a gunner (regimental number 19867) in the Royal Garrison Artillery.

World War I
On 30 May 1917, Ransley was one of the cadets appointed to the General List of the Royal Flying Corps as a temporary second lieutenant on probation. He was confirmed in his rank on 29 September 1917.

Ransley was posted to 48 Squadron in late 1917 as a pilot. His gunner scored an aerial victory for them on 28 January 1918. Ransley scored his second victory personally two months later. He would continue on to mount a total of nine victories by 27 June 1918. He was appointed a Flight Commander in June. He also earned a Distinguished Flying Cross during June, though it was not gazetted until 3 August 1918:

""This officer displays conspicuous gallantry and skill. On a recent occasion, while on patrol he was attacked by seven enemy scouts; he and his observer drove down two, and by skilful manoeuvre and dash he rallied his formation, which were being driven down, and succeeded in driving off the remaining enemy scouts. He has, in all, destroyed three hostile machines and driven down three others completely out of control."

Post World War I
Nothing further is known of his life except that he survived until New Year's Eve, 1992.