World War I Flying Ace. Lionel Arthur Ashfield was the second son of Charles Edmund Ashfield and his wife Ida Lucy Hunt. His father was the headmaster of Hazelhurst School in Frant, East Sussex. During World War I, Lionel served initially in the Royal Naval Air Service. After the April 1918 merger of that branch with the Royal Flying Corps, he served as a lieutenant in the No. 202 Squadron of the newly-formed Royal Air Force. The British flying ace was thought to have been credited with shooting down five enemy aircraft during aerial combat. However, research indicates that he was responsible for seven victories. His Airco de Havilland DH.4 (serial number A7868) was shot down by Hans Goerth on July 16, 1918 over Zevekote, Belgium. Lionel was reported missing that day and, by August 29th, had been reported killed in action. During World War I, the German flying ace Hans Goerth was also credited with seven aerial victories. His downing of Ashfield's plane was his third victory. The London Gazette of August 3, 1918 indicated that Lionel had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross: "A very capable officer of exceptional judgment and courage. He has carried out sixty-two flights behind the enemy lines with invariable success. During the last few months he has engaged seventeen enemy machines, and has been instrumental in destroying five. On one occasion he attacked five enemy aeroplanes, bringing down one in flames." The British aviator was interred at the Ramscappelle Road Military Cemetery in Belgium. However, there is a memorial tablet for the hero on the east wall of the nave of Saint Alban in Frant, East Sussex, England, where his family resided. The inscription reads: "To the Glory of God and in the dear memory of Lionel Arthur Ashfield, D.F.C., R.A.F., Killed in action July 16th, 1918, Second son of Charles and Ida Ashfield of Hazelhurst, Frant, aged 19 years. Faithful unto death."