World War One airmen

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Irishmen and Indians, actors, comedians and working class boys: How Britain's World War One airmen came from every corner of the Empire to battle in the skies

Newly-released records reveal the diverse history of the Britain's airmen from the first aerial troops in 1899, through the First World War and into the Second World War. They show how war brought together different levels of society, as well as people from all over the world. Pictured (left), dated circa 1916, is 24 Squadron, (top right) Air Battalion officers line up for an undated group photo and (bottom right) working-class airmen side-by-side with officers.