Leonard Henry Rochford

Leonard Henry ('Tich') Rochford DSC & Bar, DFC (10 November 1893 – 17 December 1986) was a British World War I Flying Ace with twenty-nine credited victories.[1]

Involvement in World War I

Born in Enfield in 1896, Rochford attempted to join the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) at the start of war but was rejected as being too young. He learned to fly with London & Provincial Aviation Company, qualifying on 7 October 1915 and joined the RNAS in May 1916. After a period of training he was posted to 3 Naval Squadron in January 1917.[2] He remained with this unit until the end of the war.

Rochford shot down his first enemy aircraft, an Albatros D-I scout, on 4 May 1917, whilst flying a Sopwith Pup.

His 29 claims consisted of 13 destroyed enemy craft (including 7 shared), and 16 driven down out of control (including 5 shared).[3]

References

  1. ^ O'Connor, M. “Airfields & Airmen of the Channel Coast”. Pen & Sword Military, 2005. p.103 ISBN 1-84415-258-8
  2. ^ O'Connor, M. p. 103
  3. ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/rochford.php Retrieved on 27 August 2010.