Group Captain William Victor Strugnell MC & Bar (23 July 1892 – 1977) was a British First World War flying ace credited with six aerial victories.
He then transferred to the Hampshire Regiment as a sapper, before being seconded to the Royal Flying Corps soon after its formation on 13 April 1912, serving as an Air Mechanic in No.
253 on 24 July 1912, after a soloing a Bristol biplane at the Army School on Salisbury Plain,[3] being the third non-commissioned officer in the British military to receive a pilot's license.
[4] On 27 June 1915 Strugnell, then a sergeant, was appointed a flying officer[5] and commissioned as a second lieutenant for service in the field.
1 Squadron RFC, and on 5 February 1916, piloted a Morane-Saulnier L that drove down an Aviatik C.I reconnaissance aircraft for his first victory.
[10] Strugnell spent some time on instruction duty before returning to action flying a Sopwith Pup in No.
His citation read: On 1 September 1917 Strugnell was appointed a squadron commander with the acting rank of major.
[12] On 1 August 1919 Strugnell was granted a permanent commission in the RAF with the rank of major (squadron leader).