Child was a Canadian militia member; however, somehow he couldn't return to England with the
Canadian Expeditionary Force, so he paid his own passage home to England. Once there, he was commissioned into the
Durham Light Infantry. as a
Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.12 pilot. He scored his first victory on 23 April 1917. On 12 May 1917, Second Lieutenant Child, who was already serving as a temporary
lieutenant, was appointed a temporary captain for service as a
Flight Commander. He was also
Mentioned in Despatches. He returned to combat as a flight commander in No. 84 Squadron and tallied five more victories during October and November 1917 while piloting
Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a serial number B562. Once again relieved from combat duty, he returned to England in February 1918, detailed as an instructor. It was followed by the
Military Cross,
gazetted on 5 July 1918: Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) James Martin Child, Manchester Regiment and Royal Flying Corps For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While leading a patrol he encountered four enemy scouts, one of which he destroyed. On another occasion he attacked one of two enemy two-seater machines which he encountered over the enemy's lines. He disabled the machine, and skilfully turned it towards our lines, where the enemy pilot was forced to land and he and his observer were taken prisoner. On another occasion he attacked five enemy scouts, one of which he destroyed. He showed the greatest judgment and determination. Child died rescuing fellow officers from the wreckage of a plane crash at Drakemyre, Scotland. His remains were repatriated and buried in Plot C.R. 7284 of
Chingford Mount Cemetery in his native London. His brother, Jack Escott Child, as well as his sister, were subsequently interred in that same grave. ==References==