The term 'flying ace' was first used in World War 1 and was used to describe a military pilot who had destroyed more than five enemy planes.

On 26th July 1918 Major Mannock was flying behind enemy lines helping a new pilot, Lieutenant Inglis achieve his first victory, when their planes came under enemy fire. Mannock's plane was hit, caught fire and crashed. A year after his death, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. His name can be found on the war memorial in Wellingborough.

In March 2009 Timewatch broadcast a program WWI: Aces Falling about the lives of World War I flying Aces Edward Mannock and James McCudden: www.bbc.co.uk/timewatch/