John Aiden Liddell

Captain, 3rd Battalion. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, also the Royal Flying Corps

Register No.: 744 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
Rank: Captain all Captains →
Unit: 3rd Battalion. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, also the Royal Flying Corps (register: Princess Louise's (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders)) all Princess Louise's (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) VCs →
Date of action: 31 July 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
Conflict / campaign: First World War
London Gazette: 23rd August, 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
Born: 3rd August, 1888 at Benwell Hall, Newcastle on Tyne,
Died: 31st August 1915 at La Panne, Flanders
Award: Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
Memorial / grave: Basingstoke Old Cemetery, Hampshire also the church at Sherfield on Lodden and at St Joseph's Church in Pickering, Yorkshire

Digest of citation

Whilst flying on a reconnaissance mission over Ostend, Bruges and Ghent on 31st July 1915, Captain Liddell was severely wounded in his right thigh. He lapsed into unconsciousness, temporarily, but managed by a great effort to recover enough to gain control of his aircraft after it had dropped 3000 ft. Although being fired on, he successfully completed his run and brought his aircraft back to his own lines half an hour after he'd been wounded. The difficult problems that this officer faced in saving the aircraft and the life of his observer cannot be readily expressed, with the control wheel, throttle and one of the undercarriage struts smashed made it seems incredible that he could have completed such a task

From Alf Askin's research notes

Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.

LIDDELL, John Aiden. (reg No. 744).

Captain. 3rd Battalion. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, also the Royal Flying Corps.

London Gazetted on 23rd August, 1915.

Born on 3rd August, 1888 at Benwell Hall, Newcastle on Tyne, Northumberland.

Died on 31st August 1915 at La Panne, Flanders.

Memorials at Basingstoke Old Cemetery, Hampshire also the church at Sherfield on Lodden and at St Joseph's Church in Pickering, Yorkshire.

Digest of Citation reads: Whilst flying on a reconnaissance mission over Ostend, Bruges and Ghent on 31st July 1915, Captain Liddell was severely wounded in his right thigh. He lapsed into unconsciousness, temporarily, but managed by a great effort to recover enough to gain control of his aircraft after it had dropped 3000 ft. Although being fired on, he successfully completed his run and brought his aircraft back to his own lines half an hour after he'd been wounded. The difficult problems that this officer faced in saving the aircraft and the life of his observer cannot be readily expressed, with the control wheel, throttle and one of the undercarriage struts smashed made it seems incredible that he could have completed such a task.

Additional information:. He died a month after his injury when it was thought that he might recover. His wound turned septic and it was decided to amputate his leg. Unfortunately he was never recover from the operation. Captain Liddell, who also held the Military Cross, was the eldest son of John and Emily Catherine (née Berry) Liddell of Sherfield Manor, Basingstoke, Hampshire. His mother Emily, was the second daughter of Major Henry A Berry of the Cameronians Highlanders. Education was at Mrs Wares Preparatory School at Frognal Hall, Hampshire. He attended Stonyhurst from 1900-1908 where he was known as 'Oozy' Liddell because of his fondness for messing about with engines and chemicals. He then went on to Balliol College, Oxford where he distinguished himself. More to add.

Additional information

He died a month after his injury when it was thought that he might recover. His wound turned septic and it was decided to amputate his leg. Unfortunately he was never recover from the operation. Captain Liddell, who also held the Military Cross, was the eldest son of John and Emily Catherine (née Berry) Liddell of Sherfield Manor, Basingstoke, Hampshire. His mother Emily, was the second daughter of Major Henry A Berry of the Cameronians Highlanders. Education was at Mrs Wares Preparatory School at Frognal Hall, Hampshire. He attended Stonyhurst from 1900-1908 where he was known as 'Oozy' Liddell because of his fondness for messing about with engines and chemicals. He then went on to Balliol College, Oxford where he distinguished himself. More to add.

Northumberland.

Visit the grave or memorial

Alf recorded the memorial as: Basingstoke Old Cemetery, Hampshire also the church at Sherfield on Lodden and at St Joseph's Church in Pickering, Yorkshire

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