John Ralston

Background

Ralston was born in Bothwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland, the youngest of five children born to Thomas Binnie Ralston, an iron merchant, and his wife Mary Chalmers (née Steel), and was educated at The Glasgow Academy.

Career

After winning a in 1916 for lifesaving gallantry while serving in the infantry, he was credited with 12 official aerial victories as a fighter pilot before he was killed in action. During the First World War, Ralston originally served with the 8th Battalion, Scottish Rifles, being commissioned as a second lieutenant on 25 August 1915. Ralston was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps, and was appointed a flying officer on 12 June 1917.

He was promoted to lieutenant on 1 September.

Once assigned to Number. On 21 October 1917, he and Kenneth Leask drove down a German reconnaissance aircraft out of control. He would not score again until 6 December, when he teamed with Robert Grosvenor to drive down another German reconnaissance aircraft.

On 23 December, he ended his year with his fourth "out of control" victory, driving down another reconnaissance aircraft. On 13 January 1918, Ralston became an ace when he destroyed a German two-seater reconnaissance aircraft over Crevecoeur.

On 26 January, Ralston was appointed a flight commander with the accompanying rank of temporary captain.

On 16 February, he drove down an Albatros Doctorate.V. There was a lapse then, as he did not score again until 18 June 1918, when he drove down a Fokker Doctorate.VII. Nine days later, he put down a Pfalz Doctorate.III near Villers-Bretonneux. Then in July, he scored his final four wins, destroying three balloons, and assisting Norman Mawle in the destruction of a Fokker Doctorate.VII.

Achievements

• Military Cross 2nd Lieutenant John Steel Ralston, Scottish Rifles "Foreign conspicuous gallantry in action. He carried a wounded man 100 yards across the open under heavy fire. He has displayed great courage and coolness throughout the operations. Distinguished Flying Cross Lieutenant (T/Captain) John Steel Ralston, Medical Corps (Scottish Rifles, TF). "An intrepid patrol leader who in recent operations has accounted for three enemy machines and three kite balloons. Recently while on patrol he advanced to attack a kite balloon. On his approach the balloon party began to haul it down, but forcing home his attack, he shot the balloon down in flames. In the engagement this officer was seriously wounded. Suffering great pain, he flew back to our lines and tried to land, but fainted and crashed.