Aviation in Peace and War (Dodo Press) (Paperback)

Air Vice Marshal Sir Frederick Hugh Sykes GCSI, GCIE, GBE, KCB, CMG, PC (1877-1954) was a military officer, British statesman and politician. Sykes enlisted as a trooper in the Imperial Yeomanry Scouts regiment of the British Army at the start of the Boer War. In 1904, Sykes's interest in aviation was first demonstrated when he obtained his ballooning certificate whilst being attached to the Balloon Section of the Royal Engineers. In 1910 he commenced flying lessons at Brooklands which led to him being awarded Royal Aero Club certificate No. 95 in June 1911. In 1916 Sykes worked on organising the Machine Gun Corps and manpower planning. He then served on the British section of the Allied War Council in Versailles under General Wilson. In 1919, Sykes led the British Air Section at the Paris Peace Conference in Versailles. In 1922, Sykes entered public political life and at the 1922 general election he was elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for Sheffield Hallam from 1922, representing the Conservative Party.