John Thomas Byrford Mccudden
Captain, 56 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. (General List)
- Register No.
- 770 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Captain all Captains →
- Unit
- 56 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. (General List) all 56 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. (General List) VCs →
- London Gazette
- 2nd April, 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 28th March 1895 at Gillingham, Kent
- Died
- 9th July 1918 at Marquise, France whilst leaving to
- Memorial / grave
- at Wavans British Cemetery, France, also at Sheerness Parish Church and on the War Memorial at Gillingham, Kent
Digest of citation
From August 1917 to March 1918, whilst on aerial patrols, Captain McCudden showed great devotion to duty by his perseverance and conspicuous bravery. He exercised his most exceptional skills not only in the way he attacked, destroying the enemy, but in the protection of the newer members of his flight, this way ensuring minimal casualties. He had disposed of 57 enemy aircraft by March 1918, some of them single-handed, others by leading his patrols into action. On 16th February 1918, during the morning patrol, he brought down three two-seater aircraft and on his second patrol accanted for a fourth
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
McCUDDEN, John Thomas Byrford. (reg No. 770).
Captain. 56 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. (General List).
London Gazetted on 2nd April, 1918.
Born on 28th March 1895 at Gillingham, Kent.
Killed on 9th July 1918 at Marquise, France whilst leaving to take command of a new squadron..
Memorial on grave at Wavans British Cemetery, France, also at Sheerness Parish Church and on the War Memorial at Gillingham, Kent.
Digest of Citation reads: From August 1917 to March 1918, whilst on aerial patrols, Captain McCudden showed great devotion to duty by his perseverance and conspicuous bravery. He exercised his most exceptional skills not only in the way he attacked, destroying the enemy, but in the protection of the newer members of his flight, this way ensuring minimal casualties. He had disposed of 57 enemy aircraft by March 1918, some of them single-handed, others by leading his patrols into action. On 16th February 1918, during the morning patrol, he brought down three two-seater aircraft and on his second patrol accanted for a fourth.
Additional information: . . Major McCudden also held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and Bar; the Military Cross (MC) and Bar and the Military Medal (M M). More to be added.
Additional information
Major McCudden also held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and Bar; the Military Cross (MC) and Bar and the Military Medal (M M). More to be added.
take command of a new squadron..
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Wavans British Cemetery, France, also at Sheerness Parish Church and on the War Memorial at Gillingham, Kent
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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