Virtual War Memorial

AFC / RFC operations Western Front / Middle East (World War 1, 1 April 1915 to 31 October 1918)

Australian pilots were few and far between in the early years of World War I. However by War's end they had certainly made their mark.

Numbers of Australian pilots served with RFC and later RAF units as well as in the Australian Flying Corps.

A significant number of these men went on to play key roles in civil and military aviation;

Sir Charles Kingsford Smith (/explore/people/176109), Charles Ulm , Sir Patrick Taylor, Sir Ross (/explore/people/344326) and Sir Keith Smith (/explore/people/378603) were just a few among many who shaped aviation in the 20th century and who had 'cut their teeth' in the skies of World War I.

Content under development

Showing 6 people of interest from campaign

Service number Commi...
Second Lieutenant
Born 24 Jan 1898

Service number W74516
Captain
11th Battalion VDC (WA)
Army Reserve WW2
Born 16 Dec 1895

Service number Officer
Lieutenant
Royal Flying Corps
British Army
Born 1 Mar 1893

Service number Officer
Lieutenant
Royal Flying Corps
British Army
Born 1 Aug 1893

Service number Officer
Captain
No. 4 Squadron
Australian Flying Corps
Australian Flying Corps
Born 2 May 1897

Service number Officer
Lieutenant
Royal Flying Corps
British Army
Born 20 Dec 1890

View all 31 names

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919