Vivian Gaskell-Blackburn was born in Leeds in 1892. He gained his Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificate (Cert.No.617) at the Bristol School, Brooklands on 10th September 1913. Around the same period he was involved with constructing his own aircraft (pictured above). He joined the RNAS in December 1914. For his service during thr First World War he received a number of awards and medals.

He was awarded the DSC for service during the advance on Kut-el-Amara on 27th/28th September 1915. The citation, Gazetted in the London Gazette of 21st January 1916 reads.."Flight-Lieutenant Blackburn did excellent air reconnaissance work, and came under heavy fire on the afternoon of September 28th, whilst carrying despatches between the General Officer Commanding and the "Comet"."

He was Mentioned in Despatches a number of times, Gazetted on 19th February 1915, 5th May 1916 and 13th July 1916 and later "for distinguished service rendered during active operations in Iraq during 1920-21" Gazetted on 10th October 1922. He was awarded the Bar to the DSC, Gazetted on 17th May 1918 "for services in the advance and retreat from Ctesiphon, when he performed most excellent work." He was also awarded the AFC, Gazetted on 10th October 1919.

Vivian Gaskill-Blackburn was finally placed on the Retired List as a Group Captain in 1947 and died in October 1956. His medal set sold at auction in 2007 with selling price of £20,000.

He transferred to the RAF on its formation, was Mentioned in Despatches on 3rd June 1919 and was granted a permanent commission in the RAF to the rank of Major on 1st August 1919 (01193). He was promoted to S/Ldr at a later date and was posted from No.3 Group HQ (Inland area) to the Electrical and Wireless School (Inland Area) on 18th July 1921 before being posted to Leuchars on 19th September 1924, to HQ India on 15th December 1925. He was promoted to W/Co on 1st January 1931 and was posted to Uxbridge from the Home Establishment on 26th March 1931 and then to RAF Depot, Shrewsbury on 19th August 1931 pending taking cover command. He was later posted to the Air Armament School, Eastchurch on 11th January 1937 briefly before posted to command No.5 Armament Training Camp, Penrhos on 1st February 1937. He transferred to the Technical Branch on 24th April 1940. He was later promoted to G/C (probably of the Acting nature) before finally retiring from the RAF on 9th January 1947 as Wing Commander but retaining the rank of Group Captain. Like other former WW1 RNAS pilots his period of service was remarkable. It is likely that he died in Cheltenham in 1983.