McCudden VC, Ridley and Stow Maries

[stephen p nunn]

The name Ridley is synonymous with the (surviving) Great War aerodrome at Stow Maries (Maldon, Essex) He was the one-time CO of 37 Squadron there and clearly loved the place (he died in 1942 and is buried in the village churchyard and paid for an illuminated cross on the church). He was a well decorated pilot (DSO and MC) and during his war, as well as 37, he served with 60, 3, 61, 112, 75 and 39 Squadrons.

Whilst with 3 Squadron, in September 1915 he took up a certain rooky NCO called McCudden (as in James McCudden VC). McCudden didn’t enjoy it!.....