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Alan Incell Riley

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Captain

Alan Incell Riley

AFC
Born9 December 1897
London, England
Died17 December 1960
London, England
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchBritish Army
Royal Flying Corp
Royal Air Force
Years of service1914–1919; 1923–1928
RankCaptain
Service number6122
UnitNo. 48 Squadron RAF
Battles / warsFirst World War
AwardsAir Force Cross
Other workCommercial 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]

Early life

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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]

Military service

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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]

Other work

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Airco Ltd

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Between 1919 and 1920, Riley flew the London to Paris route as a pilot with Airco Ltd.[3]

Westland Aircraft Works

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In 1928, he worked at the Westland Aircraft Works.[3]

India

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Delhi Flying Club

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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]

Viceroy's Cup

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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]

Survey Flight

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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]

Later life

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In later life Riley worked as a company director.[12]

He died in London on 17 December 1960 at the age of 63.[13]

Personal life

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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]

References

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  1. ^ "Alan Incell Riley". The Aerodrome. 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  2. ^ Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces, 1915–1920. p. 321.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Grace's Guide to British industrial history (21 November 2016). "1933 Who's Who in British Aviation: Name R". Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  4. ^ London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1917.
  5. ^ a b "Marriages". The Times. No. 44286. 1 June 1926. p. 17.
  6. ^ Medal Card (Official Document - UK National Archives) Alan Incell Riley, service no. 6122.
  7. ^ "London Gazette". The Times. No. 46178. 6 July 1932. p. 4.
  8. ^ "Awarded the Air Force Cross". The Edinburgh Gazette. No. 13458. 5 June 1919. p. 2050.
  9. ^ "News in Brief". The Times. No. 45984. 19 November 1931. p. 11.
  10. ^ "AIR RACE IN INDIA". Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947). 13 February 1933. p. 2. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  11. ^ Flight International Magazine 1933-08-31. Reed Business Information Ltd. 31 August 1933.
  12. ^ UK Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960 (ref. 4330/01).
  13. ^ England & Wales, National Probate Calendar.
  14. ^ England and Wales Register 1939.