Captain Alan Incell Riley AFC | |
---|---|
Born | 9 December 1897 London, England |
Died | 17 December 1960 London, England |
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | British Army Royal Flying Corp Royal Air Force |
Years of service | 1914–1919; 1923–1928 |
Rank | Captain |
Service number | 6122 |
Unit | No. 48 Squadron RAF |
Battles/wars | First World War |
Awards | Air Force Cross |
Other work | Commercial Pilot; Flight Instructor; Company Director |
Lieutenant Alan Incell Riley (9 December 1897 – 17 December 1960) was a British World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories. [1] [2]
Riley was born in London on 9 December, 1897 [3] to George and Margaret [4] Riley of Clacton [5] and was educated at Malvern College. [3]
Riley began his military service as a Private with the Artists Rifles. [6]
He served in the Royal Flying Corps between 1916 and 1919. Riley rejoined the forces, being in the Royal Air Force from 1923 to 1928. [3] On 2 July 1932 Riley gave up his commission upon completion of his service. [7]
In 1919, Riley was awarded the Air Force Cross. [8]
Between 1919 and 1920, Riley flew the London to Paris route as a pilot with Airco Ltd. [3]
In 1928, he worked at the Westland Aircraft Works. [3]
From 1928 Riley was an instructor at the Delhi Flying Club [3] and flew Lady Willingdon from Delhi to Calcutta in a de Havilland Puss Moth aircraft. The aeroplane was lent for the journey by Grant Govan who was president of the club. [9]
In 1933, Riley won the Viceroy's Cup, which was a 700-mile handicap air race beginning and ending in Delhi. The route took competitors through Bareilly, Lucknow, Agra and Rampur with a stop at each place. His average speed in winning the race was 115 mph. [10]
Also in 1933 he made a 1,500 mile survey flight on behalf of Indian National Airways. This was to examine a possible link up between cities in northern India and the Indian Trans-Continental Airways' service. [11]
In later life Riley worked as a company director. [12]
He died in London on 17 December 1960 at the age of 63. [13]
He was married to Ella Adele Van Os at St. Mary Abbots Church in Kensington, London on 19 June 1926. [5] Ella is recorded in the 1939 England and Wales Register as being a member of the Civil Nursing Reserve. [14]