Career
Sykes joined the Royal Naval Air Service in April 1917. In September, he joined 9 Naval Squadron to fly a Sopwith Camel in Roy Brown"s flight. On the 20th, he shot down an Albatros Doctorate.III out of control, and was in turn shot down by Paul Baumer.
Sykes evaded capture by the Germans and swam the Yser River to return to friendly forces.
In March 1918, he joined Raymond Collishaw in 3 Naval Squadron. On 30 May, he scored again, driving down a Fokker Doctor.I triplane.
In early August 1918, he moved to 201 Squadron as a flight commander. On the 12th, he teamed with Robert McLaughlin and H. R. de Wilde to destroy two Fokker Doctorate.VIIs.
Sykes would destroy another Doctorate.VII on 2 September, and drive one down on 9 November 1918.
In 1919, Sykes served in northern Russia. His Camel"s tension wires snapped, dropping him behind Russian lines. He was repatriated in 1920.
He left the Royal Air Force and became an engineer
