Flight Sub Lieutenant Rex Warneford RNAS

The first Victoria Cross awarded to a naval airman was won by Flight Sub Lieutenant Rex Warneford. In June 1915, he bombed the Zeppelin LZ37 as it descended to land at its Belgian airfield. The airship exploded and Warneford's Morane was flung across the sky and the engine stopped.

He landed safely behind German lines, repaired a broken petrol pipe and restarted the engine, all under cover of darkness.

Ten days after his exploit Warneford was killed while testing a new aeroplane in Paris.

Flight Lieutenant Richard Bell Davies RNAS

Richard Bell Davies was a pilot with Samson's squadron in the Aegean. During a bombing raid on the Bulgarian railway, Bell Davies' friend Smylie was shot down.

Bulgarian troops were moving in to capture him, so Bell Davies landed and picked Smylie up. The laden aeroplane took off just as the Bulgarians opened fire.

Samson immediately recommended Bell Davies for the Victoria Cross. Bell Davies remained in the Royal Navy, retiring as a Vice Admiral during World War 2.

Lieutenant Commander (A) Eugene Esmonde DSC RN

Lieutenant Commander Eugene Esmonde was told that the German ships SCHARNHORST, GNEISENAU and PRINZ EUGEN, escorted by 30 surface craft, were entering the Straits of Dover.

They had to be stopped. Esmonde, with six Swordfish, set course for the enemy but not one of the six aircraft returned. Esmonde was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray RCNVR

Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray, a Canadian who became one of the FAA's most popular and courageous pilots. On the 9th August 1945 he led his section of Corsairs in a shipping strike off the island of Honshu.

Gray's aircraft was set on fire, but he bombed his target before crashing into the water.

He was awarded the Victoria Cross, the fourth and last naval airman to be so honoured.