Sydney Pope

Air Commodore Sydney Leo Gregory ("Poppy") Pope, (born Ireland 27 March 1898 - died 5 November 1980) was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories. He made the Royal Air Force his career, retiring in 1946 after serving in Bomber Command's B5 Group

World War I
Pope joined the Inns of Court Army Officer Training Corps as a lance corporal in 1916 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in May 1916. He was assigned to 60 Squadron in Bloody April 1917, where he originally flew a Nieuport fighter. Pope scored twice with a Nieuport, on 8 and 20 June 1917. He then upgraded to a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5 and destroyed an Albatros D.III on 16 September. Switching to a slightly improved SE.5a, he destroyed two reconnaissance planes on 8 November and a D.III on the 11th. One week later, he was wounded and forced to land near Saint Julien. He ended the war with a Military Cross.

Postwar service
He served in Iraq and Egypt. In 1932, he commanded 54 Squadron. He was awarded an Air Force Cross. By 1939, he was in command of RAF Debden as a Wing Commander. He ended his career as an Air Commodore.