Alan Arnett McLeod enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps and completed his training in August 1917. He sailed for England and joined No. 51 Squadron, RFC as Lieutenant. He was Mentioned in Despatches for a daring operation on January 14, 1918 when he and his observer, Lieutenant Reginald Key attacked and brought down a heavily defended observational balloon.
Lieutenant McLeod earned his Victoria Cross while piloting a bomber over France, before his 19th birthday.
