[4] Trollope enlisted in early 1915, before his 18th birthday, to serve as a despatch rider in the Royal Engineers Signal Service.
3772 after soloing a Maurice Farman biplane at Shoreham on 1 August,[1] and was appointed a flying officer on 2 September.
[1] Around 11 a.m. on 24 March Trollope's flight observed four German fighters attacking British reconnaissance aircraft.
Trollope promptly attacked, firing at one aircraft from close range, causing it to break up in mid-air.
[10][note 1] Only days later, on the morning of 28 March, Trollope led a patrol of nine aircraft across the German lines.
The first was gazetted on 13 May 1918, his citation reading: Temporary Captain John Lightfoot Trollope, General List and Royal Flying Corps.
On all occasions he has displayed the greatest courage, determination and skill, and it is largely due to his fine leadership that the flight under his command has contributed so much to the marked success of the squadron.
[13]The Bar was gazetted on 22 June 1918, reading: Temporary Captain John Lightfoot Trollope, MC, General List and Royal Flying Corps.
Within a month previous to this he fought two hostile formations, numbering 12 machines in all, single-handed, and did not break off the engagement until he had driven off all of them towards the East.
[14]Trollope relinquished his RAF commission on 10 February 1920, on account of ill-health caused by wounds, and was permitted to retain his rank.