On Valentine’s Day we bring you the story of Lieutenant-Colonel James Valentine DSO, a pre-war pioneer aviator and an Officer of the Royal Flying Corps.

He had gained one of the earliest Royal Aero Club Certificates, No. 47, and was well known before the outbreak of war for his successful participation in distance races both in Britain and Europe. He was awarded the Silver Medal of the Royal Aero Club for his achievements.

With the outbreak of war Valentine joined the RFC in August 1914 where he soon found himself in Paris in charge of the British Aviation Depot, being recognised with the award of the Croix Chevalier.

James Valentine in his aircraft. (PC73-104-15)

Returning from France, he was sent on a special mission to Italy and subsequently to Russia on Government work, where he was further recognised by being Mentioned in Dispatches and the awarding of both the Order of St, George 4th Class and 3rd Class Order of St. Anne by Russia. The King conferred on him the Distinguished Service Order in his Birthday Honours of 1917.

He died shortly afterwards, on the 7 August 1917 in Kieff, Russia (now Kyiv, Ukraine) after an operation, leaving behind his wife, Eileen, a nurse in the Military Hospitals in Paris.

In grief, on black bordered paper, she wrote to Sir David Henderson, Director-General of Military Aeronautics:

“….I should like to tell you how much Jim always admired and loved you; he thought there was no one like you in the world…. He loved his work in the Royal Flying Corps but most especially he had the greatest admiration and affection for you and he was proud of being one of your officers; I know you were always most kind to him for which I thank you from the bottom of my heart….”