Alfred Blenkiron

Lieutenant Alfred Victor Blenkiron MC was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.

Blenkiron joined the Royal Flying Corps after serving in the Somerset Light Infantry. He flew as an observer with No. 22 Squadron on the Western Front from 17 March to 8 August 1916, as an observer/gunner in the front of a FE.2b pusher.

He then served with No. 23 Squadron from 5 to 14 October 1916, transferring to No. 25 Squadron on 3 December 1916, again as an observer on the FE.2b. He scored his first success by destroying a Halberstadt D.III on 23 January 1917. Six days later, he scored a kill despite being wounded, setting an Albatros D.II aflame; he was awarded the Military Cross for this action.

After recovering from his wound he trained as a pilot and was assigned to No. 56 Squadron on 3 December 1917. Flying the Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a he scored two victories with No. 56, driving down an Albatros D.V on 15 December 1917 and a German two-seater on 25 January 1918. He was later transferred back to England as one of the original pilots of No. 151 Squadron, the RFC's first dedicated night fighter squadron.

He accompanied this unit back into combat in France, and flying Sopwith Camel No. D9577, and forced down a Friedrichshafen G.III of Bogohl 3, which was captured.

Honours and awards
Military Cross
 * 3 March 1917 - Temp. 2nd Lt. Alfred Victor Blenkiron, Som. L.I. and R.F.C. is awarded the Military Cross (MC) 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.