Cyril Ridley facts for kids

Cyril Burfield Ridley was a brave British pilot during World War I. He was born on January 15, 1895, and sadly passed away on May 17, 1920, in a flying accident. He was known as a "flying ace" because he shot down many enemy aircraft. Cyril served in two important air forces: the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Air Force.

Early Life and Building Airplanes

Cyril Burfield Ridley grew up in Esher, England. From a young age, he loved airplanes. He went to Arundel House School, where he joined the school's Aero Club.

When he was just 15, in 1910, Cyril designed and built his own glider. It was a special type called a Chanute-style biplane. This glider was big enough for a person to fly in! He also built many smaller model airplanes, both powered and unpowered. He often competed against his friends and teachers in model airplane contests.

Airplane Building Competitions

Cyril was very good at these competitions. Here are some of his achievements:

• On June 18, 1910, he won a bronze medal and five shillings in a competition on Wimbledon Common. His monoplane glider came in third place.
• On June 7, 1911, he tied for first place in a competition at Crystal Palace. He then won the re-fly by 34 seconds!
• Just ten days later, on June 17, 1911, he won the Distance Race on Mitcham Common. His model airplane flew an amazing 542 yards (496 m).
• On July 29, 1911, he won the distance prize again on Mitcham Common.
• On August 12, 1911, Cyril won the Gamage Silver Challenge Cup. His "Ridleyplane No. 60" flew 1,681 feet 10.5 inches (512.64 m).
• On February 17, 1912, no one could beat his records for hand-launched models. His records were 560 yards (510 m) and 61 seconds.
• On June 8, 1912, he won the Model Engineer Challenge Cup. Even though his plane didn't fly the furthest, he was judged the overall winner for its efficiency.
• On July 27, 1912, he came third in the Gamage Cup competition.

After school, Cyril worked as an aeronautical engineer for the Sopwith Aviation Company. This company built real airplanes! While working there, he learned to fly. He earned his pilot's license on February 20, 1916.

Serving in World War I

In June 1916, Cyril joined the Royal Navy. He became a pilot in the Royal Naval Air Service. By October, he was officially a flight sub-lieutenant.

Cyril flew with No. 1 Squadron RNAS in France. He first flew a Sopwith Triplane. On April 29, 1917, he got his first victory. He helped force down an enemy Albatros D.III plane. He then had three more victories by September 1917. He was promoted to flight lieutenant on October 1, 1917.

His squadron then got new planes called Sopwith Camels. On December 6, he got his fifth victory, forcing down an Albatros D.V. This made him a "flying ace"! He also destroyed enemy observation balloons in March and April 1918.

On April 1, 1918, the Royal Naval Air Service joined with the Army's Royal Flying Corps. Together, they formed the Royal Air Force. Cyril's squadron was renamed No. 201 Squadron RAF. Soon after, on April 17, he received the Distinguished Service Cross. This award was for his bravery and skill.

His award citation said he was a great pilot. It mentioned his courage in flying very low to attack enemy trenches with machine guns. On March 9, 1918, he attacked enemy planes that were attacking one of his squadron's machines. He had already destroyed several enemy planes and always led his flight with skill and courage.

Cyril continued to achieve victories. He forced down a Pfalz D.III on May 2 and destroyed a Fokker Dr.I on May 6. His 11th and final victory was on July 4, 1918. He forced down a Fokker D.VII near Foucaucourt.

Just six days later, on July 10, his plane's engine failed over enemy lines. He had to land and was captured. He remained a prisoner of war until the war ended in November 1918.

After the war, Cyril joined the Royal Air Force again on October 24, 1919. He was a flight lieutenant and was sent to No. 12 Squadron RAF in Germany. This squadron was part of the British Army of the Rhine, which was the British force occupying Germany after the war.

His Final Flight

On May 17, 1920, Cyril was flying his Bristol F.2 Fighter plane. Another plane from his squadron, flown by Flying Officer John Dartnell de Pencier, collided with his plane in the air. This happened in Lindenthal, Cologne, Germany.

Both planes crashed from about 450 feet (140 m) high. Sadly, both Cyril and John died in the accident. Their crewmen, however, survived with only minor injuries. Cyril and John are buried next to each other in Cologne's Südfriedhof (Southern Cemetery).