Honorific Prefix: | Captain |
Alan Incell Riley | |
Honorific Suffix: | AFC |
Birth Date: | 9 December 1897 |
Death Date: | 17 December 1960 |
Birth Place: | London, England |
Death Place: | London, England |
Allegiance: | United Kingdom |
Branch: | British Army Royal Flying Corp Royal Air Force |
Serviceyears: | 1914–1919; 1923–1928 |
Rank: | Captain |
Servicenumber: | 6122 |
Unit: | No. 48 Squadron RAF |
Battles: | First World War |
Awards: | Air Force Cross |
Laterwork: | Commercial Pilot; Flight Instructor; Company Director |
Lieutenant Alan Incell Riley (9 December 1897 – 17 December 1960) was a British World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.[1] [2]
Riley was born in London on 9 December, 1897[3] to George and Margaret[4] Riley of Clacton[5] and was educated at Malvern College.
Riley began his military service as a Private with the Artists Rifles.[6]
He served in the Royal Flying Corps between 1916 and 1919. Riley rejoined the forces, being in the Royal Air Force from 1923 to 1928. On 2 July 1932 Riley gave up his commission upon completion of his service.[7]
In 1919, Riley was awarded the Air Force Cross.[8]
Between 1919 and 1920, Riley flew the London to Paris route as a pilot with Airco Ltd.
In 1928, he worked at the Westland Aircraft Works.
From 1928 Riley was an instructor at the Delhi Flying Club and flew Lady Willingdon from Delhi to Calcutta in a de Havilland Puss Moth aircraft. The aeroplane was lent for the journey by Grant Govan who was president of the club.[9]
In 1933, Riley won the Viceroy's Cup, which was a 700-mile handicap air race beginning and ending in Delhi. The route took competitors through Bareilly, Lucknow, Agra and Rampur with a stop at each place. His average speed in winning the race was 115 mph.[10]
Also in 1933 he made a 1,500 mile survey flight on behalf of Indian National Airways. This was to examine a possible link up between cities in northern India and the Indian Trans-Continental Airways' service.[11]
In later life Riley worked as a company director.[12]
He died in London on 17 December 1960 at the age of 63.[13]
He was married to Ella Adele Van Os at St. Mary Abbots Church in Kensington, London on 19 June 1926. Ella is recorded in the 1939 England and Wales Register as being a member of the Civil Nursing Reserve.[14]