Lieutenant Colonel Alan Machin Wilkinson DSO* (21 November 1891 – June 1972) was a British First World War flying ace credited with nineteen aerial victories.
He drove down his sixth on 19 July, then another four between 21 and 31 August to bring his total to ten,[1] making him the joint-highest scoring pilot in this aircraft along with Patrick Langan-Byrne.
[9] For at least some of the time Wilkinson had an additional Lewis gun fitted to his aircraft, DH.2 No.5966, known as "Wilkie's Bus", until ordered to remove it.
[2] He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, which was gazetted on 20 October 1916. his citation read: Wilkinson also received a "mention in despatches" from General Sir Douglas Haig, Commander-in-Chief of the British Armies in France, on 13 November 1916.
His citation read: On 10 May 1917 Wilkinson was appointed a squadron commander with the temporary rank of major,[16] and on 31 May he was promoted to captain.
[2][18] He received his second "mention in despatches" on 11 December 1917,[19] but soon afterwards was diagnosed with "neurasthenia"[2] (today considered to be a form of combat stress reaction).
[2] Wilkinson resumed his military career when granted a commission as a pilot officer on probation in the Administrative and Special Duties Branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on 28 February 1939.