Researching WWI Aviators

I had high hopes of locating my husband's cousin (twice removed), Leslie Archibald Powell, in the new Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificates database at Ancestry.com and was a bit disappointed not to find him there. A photo of him would have been so nice! Yet there are many such resources for locating WWI-era aviator ancestors (especially those who flew in the military), so I have been able to learn quite a bit about my husband's pioneering relative over in England.

I say pioneering because those aviators who flew the skies during World War I were just that - brave, independent, not afraid to try something new... The first powered, piloted flight in history (Orville Wright, 17 December 1903) had taken place just about a decade earlier, and it lasted just 12 short seconds! The year 1909 marked the world's first military airplane (Signal Corps Airplane No. 1). It's hard to believe that just a few short years after that, miltary aviators were flying across the skies of Europe during WWI.

Leslie Archibald Powell was one of many such earlier aviators, serving in the British Royal Flying Corps in England during WWI. According to the Aerodrome (cool- a photo has been added since the last time I visited the site!), he was awarded the Military Cross in Sep 1917 for "distinguished and meritorious service in battle." His actions, which prompted the award, appeared in the London Gazette:

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on several occasions in attacking enemy aircraft in superior numbers at close range, destroying some and driving down others out of control. He has also done excellent work on photographic reconnaissances, and has, in every instance, displayed the greatest gallantry and splendid offensive spirit."

--Supplement to the London Gazette, 9 January 1918

For additional acts of bravery, a silver bar was awarded to Col. Leslie Powell in Dec. 1917:

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Since his name was last brought to notice he has destroyed eight hostile machines. On one occasion, with his pilot, he engaged eleven, enemy aeroplanes, his pilot bringing down one. On another six Albatross scouts and two two-seaters were encountered, two being brought down and three others engaged with indecisive results."

-- Supplement to the London Gazette, 23 April 1918

Additional detail on then 2nd Lieutenant Leslie Powell appears in a despatch regarding Captain Andrew Edward McKeever on 3 November 1917 (Public Record Office Air 1/1515), with whom he flew as observer:

While flying with Lieutenant Mckeever as his pilot, eleven enemy aeroplanes were engaged on 31 October 1917 during a patrol over Fressie, his pilot bringing one down completely out of control. 2nd Lieutenant Powell fired 100 rounds at one enemy aeroplane at 75 yards range; the enemy aeroplane stalled, nose-dived and burst into flames. He immediately turned his gun on another enemy aeroplane which went into a spin and then turned over and over completely out of control, but was not seen to crash owing to thick clouds.

Previously, on 16 October 1917 near Brebieres, six Albatros Scouts and two two-seaters were encountered. 2nd Lieutenant Powell's machine was attacked from the rear. He fired 50 rounds at 50 yards range and the enemy aeroplane fluttered down and was seen to crash. On this occasion his pilot attacked another enemy aeroplane which was crashed. Three other enemy aeroplanes were also attacked with indecisive results.

Since this officer's name was last brought to the notice of the Army Commander he has destroyed eight hostile machines of which two were in flames and two crashed. His pluck and determination has been a fine example to his squadron."

In addition to The Aerodrome and newspaper accounts, other resources I've found useful for researching WWI aviators include:

Over the Front: Official Web site of the League of Word War I Aviation Historians - Information on the planes, aviators and aviation history of World War I. They even have an email address for questions that goes to ten of the leading WWI aviation authorities.

Canadian Air Aces & Heroes - Browse through biographies of famous Canadian aces and heroes for WWI along with those from WWII and Korea.

American Aviators of WWI - This site offers information on the 2008 commemoration of the first air combat operations of the United States which took place in France during World War I, along with select historical photos, documents and videos.

AcePilots: Legendary Aviators and Aircraft of World War One - Information on some of the notable aviators from America, England, Germany and France.

Sanke Card Album - A nice collection of Sanke cards - souvenir postcard portrait shots of WW1 German airplanes.

Rosebud's WWI and Early Aviation Image Archive - Vintage photographs of flying machines flown before and during the first two decades of the 20th century.