LIEUTENANT R.A.J. WARNEFORD V.C

Reginald Alexander John Warneford, known as Rex, spent his holidays with his uncle the Rev. F.J. Warneford, who was the Vicar of Satley. He was born in Darjeeling on 15th October 1891 and was sent to England as a small boy after his parents' separation. He was brought up by his
Grandfather and educated at King Edward VI School in Stratford-upon-Avon where he showed an aptitude for
practical subjects and was described by teaching staff as 'individualistic'

In 1905 he entered service with the British India Steam Navigation Company, and after eight years he returned to England at the end of 1914. When the First World War started he joined the Royal Naval Air Service believing that here he would find the excitement he craved
combined with proximity to the sea. His Commanding Officer stated that the RNSA would doubtless find their new recruit 'illuminating.'

When the RNAS accepted him as a probationary pilot in February 1915, Rex knew nothing of aviation or flying. He was sent to Hendon for training and gained his Royal Aero Club Certificate no 1098 in only 15 days. He did not, however, settle easily into service life and the station CO did not consider him officer material. The situation did not improve on being posted to Upavon and then N0 2 squadron RNAS at Eastchurch, where on one occasion he strode into the Officers' Mess, pulled out his revolver, twirled it round in his hand cowboy fashion and said: "Hi Suckers! What about this" before firing six times into the roof, replacing his gun in its holster and walking out.

It was different with flying. Although he appeared to fly recklessly, he was always in control and his bravery was never questioned. He did earn official displeasure however by landing a Bristol aircraft on top of another, wrecking both. These events culminated in Rex being banished form the station with the recommendation that he be dismissed from the Service. The Eastchurch Station Commander, E.I. Gerrard was impressed by Rex's undoubted flying skills and came to the conclusion that whatever motivated his conduct, he was everywhere preceded by a reputation in which he had 'a savage delight in living up to'

His next posting was to No 1 Squadron RNAS at Dunkirk where operations were under the command of Wing Commander Arthur M Longmore Commander, who having watched one of the impeccable landings of which Rex was capable, told him that whatever unsavoury reputation he had earned in the past, he would now be judged entirely by what he did under his command.