Harry G. E. Luchford

Captain Harry George Ernest Luchford MC (28 October 1894 - 2 December 1917) was an English World War I pilot credited with 24 victories. He was notable for scoring his first 11 victories in three months while piloting an obsolete double-seated FE.2 pusher aircraft.

Early life and service
Although born in India, Luchford was living in Bromley, Kent and working as a bank clerk when he enlisted in the military. He served successively in the Norfolk Regiment, the Army Service Corps, and the Indian Cavalry Division before his transition into the Royal Flying Corps in January 1916.

Flying service
By May, Luchford had qualified to be a pilot with 20 Squadron. He scored his first win on 13 June 1917, with James Tennant as his observer. On 29 June, in a mid-day clash with Jasta 8, Luchford set an Albatros afire. He then scored steadily throughout July, totting up seven more wins over enemy fighter planes in the month. Luchford scored twice more in August, then changed mounts to the two-seated Bristol F.2 Fighter. Flying with a number of different observers such as Richard Hill, Victor White, and William Benger, Luchford was credited with 13 more triumphs between 9 September and 21 October 1917.

He was killed in action by Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp on 2 December 1917.

Military honors

 * 27 October 1917 T./Lt. Harry George Ernest Luchford, Gen. List and R.F.C. was awarded the Military Cross (MC)


 * 26 November 1917 now Temporary Captain Luchford was awarded a bar to his Military Cross.