Hero of 100 Fights

HERO OF 100 FIGHTS.
TRAGIC FATE OF V.C. AVIATOR.
ACCIDENTLY KILLED ON RETURN TO FRANCE.

    Hero of a hundred air fights, Major James Byford McCudden met his death under tragic circumstances while flying to the front on his return to active service. He was seen "stunting" by some brother officers when a few miles off; suddenly his machine crashed, and although it was not at a great altitude, it came to the ground with such force that the gravest fears were entertained regarding the occupant's fate. Motors were rushed to the spot, and with an ambulance party, were first on the scene. They found Major McCudden dead, having apparently been killed instantaneously. The aeroplane was wrecked. It was his favourite single-seater, with which he had engaged in his most daring exploits, in which he made his last journey. He had but lately completed three or four months' work of giving special lectures on aerial fighting at one of the military schools in Scotland; and, promoted squadron commander a few days ago, he was elated at the prospect of returning to adventurous duties in the war zone. He set out in his single-seater from Brooklands bound for France, in company with another officer who piloted another single-seater. The Channel was crossed without incident; and on the other side the couple alighted. Major McCudden finding it necessary to take in more petrol before continuing his journey to join his squadron some miles distant on the Western front. In the cheeriest spirits he waved a farewell as he resumed his flight; he had expressed intense gratification at the chances of adding to his score against the Huns, and was looking forward eagerly to a renewal of the strafing business. He was 23, and unmarried. He had been in the war since its earliest stages, and his record of victory credits him with 45 enemy aircraft crashed and thirteen drive down. It was as pilot N.C.O. that he engaged in his first exploit, and, besides winning distinction in promotions, he had a unique record for decorations, holding the V.C., D.S.O. and bar, M.C. and bar, military medal, Mons ribbon, and Croix de la Guerre. "A most brilliant exponent of air fighting," was the tribute paid him in high military quarters. Of a retiring disposition, he carried his honours very modestly, and this, as well as his skill and daring, had made him extremely popular with his comrades and friends. Major McCudden's four brothers also went in for flying. The eldest, who was a flight-sergt. pilot-instructor, was killed while flying at Gosport. Another brother is a flying officer serving in France, and the youngest brother is a boy in the Air Force at Farnborough.
    One of his most notable adventures was some time last February, when he left his aerodrome at 9.46 one morning, and, flying at 16,000 feet, saw many enemy scouts in the air about him. He mounted 500 feet higher and flew over them, and, picking out one, secured a good position and fired long bursts at him with both guns. The enemy fell in a vertical dive, and all four wings fell off. Shortly afterwards, flying at 5,500 feet, he saw another enemy, and at 100 yards' range opened fire on him, ad drove him down in flames, so that the ground was strewn with wreckage. He challenged a third German aeroplane, and drove it down with water flowing from the radiator. He own wind-screen was covered with ice owing to a leaky radiator, but on re-crossing our lines he met an enemy machine at 15,500 feet high, and shot it so that it was seen to fall sharply out of control. After that Major McCudden landed, but the same morning went up again and fought another duel. The German aviator tried to avoid the fight, but was closely pursued by McCudden, who crashed him, and saw pieces of wreckage fall in the field.

THE FREEDOM OF GILLINGHAM
    The presentation of the freedom of the borough of Gillingham, Kent to Major McCudden (a native of the town) had been provisionally fixed for Wednesday next. The Town Council have now decided, owing to his untimely death, to present the freeman's certificate, which is enclosed in a handsome casket, together with te accompanying souvenir, to his mother, who is a daughter of he late Mr. Thomas Byford, a corporation official in the adjoining borough of Chatham.

The News of the World - Sunday, July 14, 1918