Alan Wilkinson (aviator)
| Alan Machin Wilkinson | |
|---|---|
| Born |
21 November 1891 Eastbourne, Sussex, England |
| Died | June 1972 (aged 80–81) Maidstone, Kent, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1914–1921 1939–1944 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit |
No. 24 Squadron RFC No. 48 Squadron RFC |
| Commands held |
No. 23 Squadron RFC RAF West Malling RAF Martlesham Heath |
| Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order & bar |
| Other work | Company director |
Lieutenant Colonel Alan Machin Wilkinson DSO* (1891–1972) was a British First World War flying ace credited with nineteen aerial victories. He was one of only about 25 pilots twice awarded the DSO during the war, five of whom were also holders of the Victoria Cross.
Wilkinson was born in Eastbourne, Sussex, the son of a civil engineer. He was educated at Repton School and Oriel College, Oxford, and briefly worked as a schoolmaster in Winchester.
He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 9th (Cyclist) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, on the outbreak on the war, and was promoted to lieutenant on 22 September 1914. Wilkinson then trained as a pilot, and was granted Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No. 1398 after soloing a Maurice Farman biplane at the Military School at Farnborough on 4 July 1915. He was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps and appointed a flying officer on 8 September 1915.
Wilkinson was posted to No. 24 Squadron RFC, under the command of Major Lanoe Hawker, to fly the Airco DH.2 single-seat fighter, and was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain on 22 February 1916. He gained his first aerial victories early on 16 May 1916, driving down two enemy aircraft within half an hour. He accounted for two more on 17 June, and another the following day, to bring his score to five and making him an 'ace'. He drove down his sixth on 19 July, then another four between 21 and 31 August to bring his total to ten, making him the joint-highest scoring pilot in this aircraft along with Patrick Langan-Byrne. For at least some of the time Wilkinson had an additional Lewis gun fitted to his aircraft, DH.2 No.5966, known as "Wilkie's Bus", until ordered to remove it.
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