Orlando Bridgeman (RAF officer)

Second Lieutenant Orlando Clive Bridgeman was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.^[1] He was the third son of the Earl of Bradford. He attended Harrow School from 1912 to 1916, and joined the Royal Flying Corps from there. He piloted Sopwith Camels in 70 Squadron until he returned to base wounded on 25 August 1917. After a period of recuperation, he returned to duty in 80 Squadron; he succeeded to the position of Flight Commander when a flight commander was killed. On 10 May 1918, he shot down one German in flames and another out of control even as most of his flight was picked off by Richthofen's Flying Circus. In July or August, he was posted to instructor duty.

He survived the war, only to die of blood poisoning on 21 December 1931.^[2]

Honors and awards

Military Cross (MC)

T./2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) Orlando Clive Bridgeman, Gen. List, attd. R.A.F.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. The patrol he was leading was attacked by twenty or thirty enemy aeroplanes, of which he destroyed two himself, and by skilful manoeuvring enabled two others to be crashed by officers of his patrol. His tactics and gallantry undoubtedly prevented what might have been a severe reverse to his patrol. On many occasions his work in attacking troops and other ground targets from low altitudes has been excellent, and his example and skilful leadership have been of great value to his squadron.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 September 1918 (30901/10926)

Sources of information

References

Above the Trenches Supplement: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces. Christopher F. Shores, Norman L. R. Franks, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1996. ISBN 1-898697-39-6, 9781898697398