The McCudden Brothers

The three sons of Sergeant-Major William H. McCudden & Amelia McCudden (nee Byford) of "Pitlochry", 37 Burton Road, Kingston-on-Thames, London.

• Sergeant William McCudden, (1891-1915) Royal Flying Corp. Died: 2-5-1915 age 24

• 2nd Lt., John Anthony McCudden, (1898-1918) Royal Flying Corp. Died: 18-3-1918 age 20

• Major James Thomas Byford McCudden, (1895-1918) V.C., D.S.O. & Bar, M.C. and Bar, M.M., Croix de Guerre (France) Royal Air Force. Died: 9-7-1918 age 23

The reason for the claim to Carlow is that their father was born in Carlow and at the time of his sons birth's, was based in England. So by mishap in the fathers posting they were born away from Carlow, so it a good claim as a third Victoria Cross for Carlow and Ireland in General.

Picture shows Jimmy on the left with their father William McCudden and John McCudden on the right in 1915. Source newspaper: http://www.kenthistoryforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=4881.0

Major James Thomas Byford McCudden, V.C., D.S.O. & Bar, M.C. and Bar, M.M., Croix de Guerre (France) Royal Air Force. Died: 9-7-1918 age 23. Source of James www.medwaymemories.co.uk

James McCudden died in a flying accident and not in combat. On July 9th 1918, his aeroplane suffered engine failure after taking off and he was killed in the accident.

Major James Thomas Byford McCudden was credited in World War One with the largest numer of decorations including a Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and a bar to his Military Cross. Combined with his VC and MM, McCudden was one of the most decorated combatants of World War One.

In 1910, James McCudden joined his father in the Royal Engineers as a 15 year old bugler. By the time war was declared, he was an aircraft mechanic with 3 Squadron in the Royal Flying Corps. One of three brothers to serve with the RFC, he saw combat in France as an observer and gunner before returning to England for flight training in 1916. His talents as a pilot were so extraordinary that he became an instructor within days of receiving his aviator's certificate. By the beginning of April 1918, 22 year old James McCudden was the most decorated pilot in the Royal Air Force. Sadly, he was killed three months later when his aircraft stalled after take off and crashed to the ground.

James McCudden was born in Gillingham, Kent to ex-Sergeant-Major William H. McCudden and his wife  Two of his brothers Willie (killed in 1915) and John (killed in 1918) also served in the Royal Flying Corps and became an ace before his death in 1918..

http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/mccudden1.php 

and his brother http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/mccudden2.php

http://www.kentfallen.com/PDF%20REPORTS/McCUDDEN%20VC.pdf

Note: The McCudden family also hold the sad record of most KIA from the same family of Ireland in the Great War.

Mr Terry Curran c.2007

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