William Barnard Rhodes-Moorhouse

Lieutenant William Barnard Rhodes-Moorhouse was an English officer of the Royal Flying Corps (later Royal Air Force) who became the first airman to be awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

On 26 April 1915, during the First World War, Rhodes-Moorhouse was ordered to bomb the railway junction at Courtrai. Despite being severely wounded by ground fire, he flew back to his base to deliver his report, succumbing to his wounds the following day. His ultimate sacrifice marked a historic milestone in aviation and military history.