William James Middleton

Sergeant-Observer William James Middleton (1897 – 4 October 1918) was a British World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.

Military service

Middleton initially served in the Royal Naval Air Service, as a member of No. 5 (Naval) Squadron of the Royal Naval Air Service, flying the Airco DH.4 two-seater day bomber. He gained his first aerial victory on 9 March 1918, driving down an Albatros D.V out of control over Mont-d'Origny, while being piloted by Lieutenant G. E. Siedle. Soon after, on 1 April, the Royal Naval Air Service and the Army's Royal Flying Corps were merged to form the Royal Air Force, and Middleton's unit became No. 205 Squadron RAF.

Middleton died from wounds received in action on 4 October 1918,

He was also awarded the Médaille d'Honneur pour actes de courage et dévouement pour le personnel militaire étranger ("Medal of Honour of Foreign Affairs for Foreign Military Personnel") by the French government, which was gazetted posthumously on 22 August 1919.