James Anderson Slater James Anderson Slater , MC and Bar , DFC ( 27 November 1896 – 26 November 1925 ) was a British Flying Ace in World War I credited with 24 victories . Involvement in World War 1 . Slater joined the Royal Sussex Regiment as a private in 1914 and was later commissioned in the Royal Ulster Rifles . In 1915 he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as an observer and flew in France with No 18 Squadron from November 1915 to March 1916 . After pilot training , Slater joined No . 1 Squadron RFC in August 1916 and served in this unit until May 1917 . After a period as an instructor , he was promoted to captain and became a flight commander with the newly formed No . 64 Squadron , equipped with DH5 aircraft . Slater was posted to France in October 1917 and shot down the squadron ' s first enemy aircraft . The squadron re - equipped with SE5a aircraft , on which type Slater achieved the majority of his victories . Over an eighteen day period in May 1918 , Slater was involved in twenty - five engagements and claimed eight enemy aircraft shot down . Slater returned to Home Establishment in July 1918 and finished the war again as an instructor . His war time tally consisted of 11 and 1 shared destroyed , and 9 and 3 shared ' out of control ' . Later Military Service . Slater continued in the instructing role both in the UK and in the Middle East and also flew with Nos . 20 , 216 and 1 Squadrons . Slater was killed in a flying accident , whilst instructing at Central Flying School , Upavon . Citations for military honors . Military Cross ( MC ) " T . / 2nd Lt . ( T . / Capt . ) James Anderson Slater , Gen . List and R . F . C . For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty . When returning from a patrol he attacked enemy infantry , silenced a field gun and fired on transport . On another occasion he silenced a battery in very difficult weather conditions , fired on ammunition wagons and enemy infantry , and brought back his patrol safely . He also led a patrol of twelve machines in very bad weather to attack a wood held by the enemy . His patrol dropped over thirty bombs , fired 3 , 000 rounds and drove the enemy from the wood with heavy casualties . In the course of this flight six enemy scouts were engaged and driven off . Later , he led a similar patrol with great success . He showed splendid courage and determination . " Supplement to the London Gazette , 5 July 1918 ( 30780 / 7924 ) Military Cross ( MC ) Bar " T . / Capt . James Anderson Slater , M . C . , Gen . List , and R . F . C . For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty . On one occasion during the recent , operations he attacked a large formation of hostile scouts , one of which he drove down in flames . Later , during the same flight , he took part in a general engagement , in which he drove down another enemy machine completely out of control . Two days later he attacked two enemy scouts , causing one of them to crash to earth . In eighteen days he has engaged in twenty - five combats at close quarters , shooting down eight hostile machines . His great gallantry and fine offensive spirit have inspired all ranks to a very high degree . ( M . C . gazetted 4 February 1918 . ) " Supplement to the London Gazette , 22 June 1918 ( 30761 / 7400 ) Distinguished Flying Cross ( United Kingdom ) ( DFC ) " Lt . ( T . / Capt . ) James Anderson Slater , M . C . This officer has led numerous offensive patrols with the utmost skill and determination , and it is entirely due to his fine leadership that many enemy aircraft have been destroyed with the minimum of casualties to his formation . " Supplement to the London Gazette , 3 August 1918 ( 30827 / 9204 )