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Name: James Martin Child
Military Cross (MC)
Order of Leopold, Chevalier [Belgium]
Croix de Guerre [Belgium]		 James Child
Country: England
Rank: Captain
Service: Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force
Units: 4, 19, 84
Victories: 8
Born: 20 October 1893
Place of Birth: Leytonstone, North London
Died: 23 August 1918
Place of Death: Turnberry
Cemetery: Chingford Mount Cemetery, London Image
 
James Martin Child, the son of Tylney and Constance Child, moved to Canada where he worked in banking and mining. When the war began, he enlisted in the Canadian militia but was unable to deploy with the Canadian contigents and returned to England at his own expense. He served with the Manchester Regiment before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps. After serving with 4 Squadron, he was posted to 19 Squadron in July 1916. With this unit Child scored three victories flying SPADs in 1917. Later that year, he joined 84 Squadron as a captain and downed five more enemy aircraft flying the S.E.5a. In February 1918, he returned to England and whilst serving as an instructor at Turnberry, he was killed when he tried to rescue a fellow airman from the wreckage of a crashed plane.
 
Military Cross (MC)
Lt. (T./Capt.) James Martin Child, Manch. R. and R.F.C.
   For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While leading a patrol he encountered four enemy scouts, one of which he destroyed. On another occasion he attacked one of two enemy two-seater machines which he encountered over the enemy's lines. He disabled the machine, and skilfully turned it towards our lines, where the enemy pilot was forced to land and he and his observer were taken prisoner. On another occasion he attacked five enemy scouts, one of which he destroyed. He showed the greatest judgment and determination.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 5 July 1918 (30780/7900)
 
Victories
Date Time Unit Aircraft Opponent Location
1 23 Apr 1917 1520 19 SPAD VII (B1537) Albatros C (DES) NW of Douai
2 25 May 1917 0645 19 SPAD VII (B1537) Albatros D.III (OOC) W of Douai
3 07 Jun 1917 0915 19 SPAD (B3502) DFW C (DES) SW of Menin
4 21 Oct 1917 0825 84 S.E.5a (B562) Albatros D.III (OOC) Gheluvelt
5 08 Nov 1917 1415 84 S.E.5a (B562) Albatros D.V (OOC) 1 E of Poelcapelle
6 22 Nov 1917 1145 84 S.E.5a (B562) Albatros D.V (DES) NE of Bourlon Wood
7 22 Nov 1917 1150 84 S.E.5a (B562) DFW C (CAP) Flesquires
8 30 Nov 1917 1230 84 S.E.5a (B562) Albatros D.V (DES) Malincourt
1 Shared with Lt Frederic Brown
 
Books
SPAD VII Aces of World War 1
Jon Guttman / Paperback / Osprey Publishing (August 25, 2001)
 
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