John Lightfoot Trollope

John Lightfoot Trollope, (30 May 1897 – 21 October 1958) was a British First World War flying ace, credited with 18 aerial victories, including seven in one day, the first British pilot to do so.

Early life and background Trollope was born in Wallington, Surrey, the seventh of nine children, and the second surviving son of Howard Woollright Trollope and his wife Caroline Lydia (née Hodgson). The Trollopes moved to Greenhayes, Banstead, when John was young and he was educated at Banstead Hall, a prep school close to the family's new home. He was attending Malvern College when the First World War broke out.

First World War Trollope enlisted in early 1915, before his 18th birthday, to serve as a despatch rider in the Royal Engineers Signal Service. He served in France from June, but was invalided back to England in September. He trained as a pilot, being granted Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificate No. 3772 after soloing a Maurice Farman biplane at Shoreham on 1 August,

Trollope served in France from September 1916, and was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain on 28 July, to serve in No. 43 Squadron in France.

Trollope gained his first aerial victory on 19 January 1918, destroying a DFW two-seater over Vitry. Two further victories followed on 16 and 17 February, and two more on 5 and 11 March to bring his total to five, making him an ace. He accounted for two Albatros D.V fighters on 17 March, and forced a DFW two-seater down to be captured at Mercatel on 23 March.

Capture and return Only days later, on the morning of 28 March, Trollope led a patrol of nine aircraft across the German lines. East of Albert he attacked and destroyed an observation balloon, but was attacked by a formation of German Albatros D.V fighters. In the ensuing dogfight, Trollope shot down two of the enemy, but five British aircraft were shot down, including Trollope, who fell victim to Leutnant Paul Billik, commander of Jasta 52. Trollope was captured, having his left hand and wrist amputated as a result of his injuries. He was soon repatriated, but due to complications his left arm was eventually amputated at the shoulder.

The Bar was gazetted on 22 June 1918, reading:

List of aerial victories +Combat record

Trollope married Molly Field on 30 January 1926, and had two children. Following their divorce, he married Rosina Victoria Vinter in 1934. Their daughter, Angela, was born in 1938. Trollope died in Hove Hospital in 1958.