Ernest Elton

Who was Ernest Elton?

Flight Sergeant Ernest John Elton was the highest scoring sergeant flying ace for British aviation during World War I. He was credited with 17 aerial victories.

While an Air Mechanic with No. 6 Squadron RFC, Elton worked with Lanoe Hawker in June 1915 in developing a machine gun mount for the Bristol Scout.

In February 1918, Elton piloted a Bristol F.2 Fighter to his first victory, when he destroyed two Albatros D.Vs near Lens. He and his gunner were unhurt when shot down during this engagement. In the next 31 days, Elton would be credited with destroying twelve more enemy aircraft and driving two down out of control. He scored ten of his wins himself, and his gunner in the rear seat scored six times. His string culminated in a triple victory on 29 March 1918, when he destroyed three German two-seater reconnaissance planes in ten minutes. They were the only two-seaters he ever destroyed; the remainder of his wins were over enemy fighters, principally Albatros D.Vs.