Sergeant Richard Upton came from an Army background. He was the fourth son of Captain Richard Upton of the the 4th Batt Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire Reg). His father had also been in the Political and Secret Department of HM India Office. He was also the grandson of Richard Clayton Strelley of Oakerthorpe fame.
After a good education he became a Master Mariner with the Straits SS Service L.F. after passing through his apprenticeship. He was the Commodore of a fleet of 17 boats.
He decided to obtain his flying qualifications and after attending the Graham White School of Flying. on 26/8/1914 he was issued with a First Class Flying Licence. At this time war had broken out.
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| On 26/8/1914 he was issued with a First Class Flying Licence |
His previous experience enabled him to join the Legion of Frontiersmen a type of patriotic paramilitary group. Membership was limited to "men of good conduct who have Frontier, Military or Sea Training."
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| Recruitment poster for the Legion |
He left for France where he worked free lance with the Red Cross Society. When he joined the Royal Flying Corps Service number 2556, he was immediately made a Sergeant.
Unfortunately,his flying career was cut short as while he was on active service he contracted pneumonia and died in Tideworth Military Hospital, UK on 3/5/1915. He was unmarried.
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