Leonard Henry Rochford
| Leonard Henry Rochford | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | "Tich" |
| Born |
11 October 1896 Enfield, England |
| Died | 17 December 1986 (aged 90) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Navy Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1916–1919 1921 1939–1954 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Cross & bar Distinguished Flying Cross |
Squadron Leader Leonard Henry Rochford DSC*, DFC (10 November 1896 – 17 December 1986) was a British World War I flying ace credited with twenty-nine aerial victories. He returned to military service in the Royal Air Force during World War II.
Born in Enfield in 1896, Rochford attempted to join the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) at the outbreak of the war, but was rejected as being underage. Instead he went to university and also learned to fly, being granted Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificate No. 1840 after soloing an L. & P. biplane, at the London and Provincial School, Hendon, on 7 October 1915.
Rochford finally joined the Royal Navy in early 1916 as a probationary temporary flight sub-lieutenant, to serve in the Royal Naval Air Service, and was confirmed in his rank on 14 May 1916. He was posted to No. 3 Naval Squadron RNAS in January 1917. Initially flying a Sopwith Pup, he gained his first three aerial victories between March and July 1917., also gaining promotion to flight lieutenant on 30 June 1917.
His squadron was then re-equipped with the Sopwith Camel, and Rochford gained two more victories in September to attain "ace" status. He gained three more victories in January 1918, and six in March, bringing his total to fourteen. On 1 April 1918 the Royal Naval Air Service was merged with the Army's Royal Flying Corps to form the Royal Air Force, and Rochford's unit was renamed and renumbered as No. 203 Squadron RAF. He went on to gain five more victories in May, two in June, and four in July, and his final four between August and October. His 29 claims consisted of 13 enemy aircraft destroyed (including 7 shared), and 16 driven down out of control (including 5 shared).
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