image: A half length portrait of McCudden in uniform sitting in a wooden armchair.
James McCudden was the most highly decorated British Empire pilot of the First World War. He was also one of the longest serving, having joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1913. McCudden progressed from the rank of Air Mechanic to Major during the First World War and amassed a total of 57 aerial victories, making him one of the most successful British pilots of the war. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for this impressive service record. McCudden died in a flying accident at Marquise in France on 9 July 1918, his engine having failed shortly after take-off. He was 23 years old.