Memorial ceremony for World War One flying ace

The memorial service followed a government initiative launched to commemorate all World War One veteran who received a Victoria Cross with a memorial stone.

Council leader Daniel Yates said: “One hundred years after his death, it is an opportunity to pay tribute to the courage of Major Mannock and the stone will provide a permanent memorial to him.”

Major Edward Corringham Mannock was born at Preston Barracks in 1887.

He served in the Royal Engineers and the Royal Army Medical Corps, before training to become a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps.

He went on to serve as Flight Commander in 40 Squadron and Major in command of 85 Squadron.

Larry Shearer, 60, who attended the service, said: “It sounded like he lived a very good life.

“My father was in the US army in World War Two in North Africa and my grandfather was in the British army in World War One.”

Between July 28 and August 22 1917, Major Mannock claimed ten German aircraft along with a similar number in September, including three in one day.

He was awarded a bar to the Military Cross in October 1917.

Retired Air Marshal Freddie Sowrey, who read highlights from Major Mannock’s career, said: “Mannock was a charismatic leader, a patient teacher, and an innovative tactician.

“He would put other pilots in the position that they could claim a victory which he had set up.”

On July 26 1918, the engine of Major Mannocks’ aircraft is believed to have been hit by a massive volley of ground fire and he crashed behind German lines.