Famous Jillings
Sadly, there aren’t many.
The first person ever to be shot in an aeroplane in wartime was Sgt-Major David S Jillings. He was wounded while flying on 22 August 1914. He survived and was recommended for the VC, but was downgraded and became one of the first non-commissioned officers to be awarded the MC.
He ended WW2 as Group Captain D S Jillings GC MBE MC and was made CBE in the King’s birthday honours in 1945.
He died in 1953.