A fine C.B.E., ‘Iraq’ D.F.C., and A.F.C. group of ten awarded to Air Commodore S. L. G. “Poppy” Pope, Royal Air Force test pilot and Great War ‘Ace’ with No. 60 Squadron Royal Flying Corps

The Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) 2nd type neck badge; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R.; Air Force Cross, G.V.R.; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. S. L. G. Pope, R.F.C.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals; Jubilee 1935; Iraq Active Service Medal, generally good very fine and a scarce inter-wars combination (10)

D.F.C. London Gazette 28 May 1926. ‘For gallant and distinguished service in connection with the operations in Iraq during the period September to November 1924.’ The following recommendation is taken from Air Ministry records: ‘Flight Lieutenant Pope constantly led patrols with great fearlessness and determination, often at low altitudes through mountain passes infested with the enemy, and frequently under severe fire. He carried out over 90 hours’ operational flying in one month and at all times set a splendid example of courage and zeal.’

A.F.C. London Gazette 1 March 1929. The following recommendation is taken from Air Ministry records: ‘Flight Lieutenant Pope commands a flight in No. 22 Squadron, which is under the technical administration of the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment. For nearly two years he has been engaged in the daily work of testing high speed single-seater machines, and although the work is often of a hazardous nature, he always shows unflagging zeal and energy, thereby setting a splendid example to all.’

C.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 1 January 1946. The following recommendation is taken from Air Ministry records: ‘Acting Air Commodore S. L. G. Pope, D.F.C., A.F.C., No. 53 Base. This officer was appointed to command an operational station in October, 1943, and in February, 1944, took over command of No. 53 (Operational) Base. He has a strong personality and has proved to be a most capable and efficient base commander who has successfully organised the squadrons under his command to a high standard. His efforts and ability have contributed much towards the success of Bomber Command’s operations.’

Sydney Leo Gregory “Poppy” Pope was born in Dublin on 27 March 1898 and educated at Marist College, Dublin, and St Joseph’s College, West London. He enlisted as Private No.5781, Inns of Court O.T.C., on 23 August 1915, until he was discharged as a Lance Corporal on appointment to a Commission in the Royal Flying Corps on 3 June 1916. In 1917 he served with 60 Squadron in France during the summer, flying Nieuport Scouts. During June he claimed two victories with this type, but the following month converted to SE5s, soon followed by SE5As. His first victory with the new aircraft was gained on 16 September, and on 8 November he claimed two two-seaters. His final victory on 11 November brought his score to six. He remained in the R.A.F. after the war and served in Iraq with No. 55 Squadron, winning the Distinguished Flying Cross during active operations in 1924.

In February 1927, Pope joined 22 Squadron at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, based at Martlesham Heath, where he became the first R.A.F. test pilot to save his life by parachute. Whilst at the Parnall factory at Yate, testing a Parnall Pippit, a single-seater fighter undergoing acceptance trials, Pope felt a twitch when at 800 feet. He glanced over his shoulder and was just in time to see the rudder and fin floating away in mid-air behind him. Deciding that the time had come for him and the Pippet to part company, pope jerked the throttle shut, pulled the nose up and reached down to undo the straps of his Sutton harness. For several long precious seconds he fumbled for the string attached to the pin, unable to bend his head because he was strapped in so tightly. At last his fingers grasped a length of string and he pulled hard. Nothing happened. Nor the second time, but on the third attempt the string came away. But the straps of his harness did not, and only then did he realise that he had been pulling the string which held a pencil to the knee pad on which he scribbled his test data! Frantically now he groped for the pin that secured the four straps and succeeded when only 300 feet from the ground. After a struggle he managed to force his bulky frame through the cockpit opening and free of the aircraft only to find that the ripcord handle was not where it was meant to have been. He had somersaulted and was falling feet-first; below him he could see a row Africa Star tall oaks coming up fast. In that same split second he saw the ripcord ring hanging by his leg - it had slipped from its sheath. He reached down, gave it a despairing tug and his chute blossomed out above him with a bump. As he reached up to grasp the lift webs his feet slashed through the top branches on to the ground.

“The people over at the aerodrome hadn’t seen me get out,” Pope said. “When they came running over they expected to find me in the wreckage. Instead I was running round the field like a madman, making sure that my back, which had received a severe jar, was in working order. The only visible injuries were two scratches on my ankle.” That evening he received a characteristic telegram from his colleagues at Martlesham. “Congratulations,” it read, “Forwarding clean pair of pants.”