Com-Central.net

piney

A national hero fighter pilot who was the first person to shoot down a Zeppelin will be left off a roll call of First World War Victoria Cross heroes because he was born in India. Sub-Lieutenant Reginald 'Rex' Warneford was awarded the medal for outstanding valour when he was just 23 for the mission. Under government rules he will be excluded from a poignant commemoration next year to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I. His solo mission was celebrated nationally and the country also fell into mourning when he was tragically killed two weeks later. Despite the accolade, his name will not appear on commemorative stone slabs to be laid next year because the government ruled that only servicemen and women born in Britain are eligible.