For Valour: 2nd Lt. (Temporary Captain) [later Major] James Byford McCudden, DSO*, MC*, MM, Croix de Guerre, General List and Royal Flying Corps.

28 March 1895 – 9 July 1918

April 2, 1918,Over France

Captain McCudden’s Victoria Cross is exceptional as it was awarded, not for one particular event of Valour, but for his long operational fighting career, consistent prowess and devotion to duty. He was awarded no fewer than seven awards for gallantry.

He was also a rare example in those times of strict class hierarchy of a soldier selected for pilot training who rose from the most basic rank and was subsequently granted a Commission; trainee pilots then being largely selected from those already of officer rank. It is also noteworthy that, although he signed on as a Boy Soldier in 1910, aged 15, he was a Major at his death.

James McCudden’s Victoria Cross
(Photographs reproduced with the kind permission of
the Royal Engineers Museum, Library & Archive)

For a detailed biography and record of his military career, this author commends ‘For Valour: The Air VCs’ (see bibliography), a copy of which is held by the RAF Museum’s Reading Room in London.

On the ground, fighting on the Western Front had been static since late 1914, with set piece battles by each side achieving gains measured in yards against casualties counted in the tens of thousands. In 1914, air power was virtually non-existent – aircraft barely able to support the weight of their pilots.

McCudden beside his Vickers F.B. 16D Serial A8963 (RAF Museum PC/74/17/52)

First use was for reconnaissance – ‘what is over the next hill?’ – by the pilot taking paper notes. And artillery spotting, dropping target corrections to the artillery. Then they began to evolve. Reconnaissance aircraft with cameras. But you don’t want to let the enemy see what you are doing.

So scout aircraft (now called fighters) to prevent them. And ground attack, with the development of role-specific design: scouts, reconnaissance and ground-support, then finally bombers. By 1917, air power was a tangible part of the fighting forces on both sides.

McCudden seated in an SE 5a (RAF Museum PC/74/17/189)

The London Gazette Tuesday 2 April 1918

‘His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officer: — 2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) James Byford McCudden, D.S.O., M.C., M.M., Gen. List and R.F.C. for most conspicuous bravery, exceptional perseverance, keenness, and very high devotion to duty.

Captain McCudden has at the present time accounted for 54 enemy aeroplanes! Of these 42 have been definitely destroyed, 19 of them on our side of the lines. Only 12 out of the 54 have been driven out of control. On two occasions, he has totally destroyed four two-seater enemy aeroplanes on the same day, and on the last occasion all four machines were destroyed in the space of 1 hour and 30 minutes.

‘S.E.5a of 56 Squadron flying left to right, whilst Hannover descends after being shot down by McCudden.’ Artist Edgar J. March (RAF Museum FA 03208)

While in his present squadron he has participated in 78 offensive patrols, and in nearly every case has been the leader. On at least 30 other occasions, whilst with the same squadron, he has crossed the lines alone, either in pursuit or in quest of enemy aero-planes.

The following incidents are examples of the work he has done recently: — On the 23rd December, 1917, when leading his patrol, eight enemy aeroplanes were attacked between 2.30 p.m. and 3.50 p.m. Of these two were shot down by Captain McCudden in our lines.

Combat report by McCudden 9 January 1918
(RAF Museum AC1997/93/356002)

On the morning of the same day he left the ground at 10.50am and encountered four enemy aeroplanes; of these he shot two down. On the 30th January, 1918, he, single-handed, attacked five enemy scouts, as a result of which two were destroyed.

On this occasion he only returned home when the enemy scouts had been driven far east; his Lewis gun ammunition was all finished and the belt of his Vickers gun had broken. As a patrol leader he has at all times shown the utmost gallantry and skill, not only in the manner in which he has attacked and
destroyed the enemy, but in the way he has during several aerial fights protected the newer members of his flight, thus keeping down their casualties to a minimum.

Rumpler C.V. shot down by McCudden near Mazingarbe 21 October 1917
(RAF Museum PC74/17/82)

This officer is considered, by the record, which he has made, by his fearlessness, and by the great service which he has rendered to his country, deserving of the very highest honour.’

Major McCudden died in a flying accident whilst returning to the Western Front from an appointment commanding a training establishment in Scotland.

Grave (© The War Graves Photographic Project www.twgpp.org)

He lies in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Wavans British Cemetery.

His VC is held by the Royal Engineers Museum, Chatham.

Credits:

• Citation: London Gazette 2 April 1918
• Additional biographical details: For Valour: The Air VCs Chaz Bowyer, Grub Street Publishing.