Alfred Michael Koch

Koch was originally a trumpeter for the Alberta Dragoons. He transferred to the 1st Cavalry Division CEF and shipped out for the war zone.^[3]

He flew as an aerial observer in 6 Squadron, and was wounded in action on 22 October 1916. He made the transition to fighter pilot and was posted to fly 70 Squadron's Sopwith Camels. On 18 October 1917, he began a decade of successes that carried him through to 23 March 1918. He succeeded against nine German fighter planes as well as destroying one of their observation balloons.^[3] However, he was not awarded the Military Cross for these victories. When his Military Cross citation was gazetted on 22 June 1918, it read:

"...During ten days' operations he carried out eleven reconnaissances at low altitudes. He continually attacked and disorganised enemy troops and transport, and on one occasion he dispersed a battalion of enemy infantry which was marching along a road. On a later occasion, after he had completed a reconnaissance and bombed an enemy position, he was attacked by an enemy patrol. Though his tanks were pierced, and he was wounded, he succeeded in flying his machine back to the aerodrome. He showed splendid courage and initiative."^[4]

The last known information about Koch is that he was wounded once again in 1918.^[3]

All victories scored while flying a Sopwith Camel fighter plane for No. 70 Squadron RAF.