Capt John Aidan Liddall VC

Captain John Aidan Liddall VC, 3rd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, attached 7 Squadron RFC.

An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 23 August 1915, records the following:

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on 31st July, 1915. When on a flying reconnaissance over Ostend-Bruges-Ghent he was severely wounded (his right thigh being broken), which caused momentary unconsciousness, but by a great effort he recovered partial control after his machine had dropped nearly 3,000 feet, and notwithstanding his collapsed state succeeded, although continually fired at, in completing his course, and brought the aeroplane into our lines - half an hour after he had been wounded. The difficulties experienced by this officer in saving his machine, and the life of his observer, cannot be readily expressed, but as the control wheel and the throttle control were smashed, and also one of the under-carriage struts, it would seem incredible that he could have accomplished his task.

Captain Liddall died of his wounds exactly one month after the combat that earned him the VC. He is buried at the Basingstoke (Old or South View) Cemetery.