Born in Georgetown, South Africa, on 3 December 1896, William Lancelot Jordan was living in London when war broke out and he enlisted in the RNAS as an air mechanic. From here he became an air gunner, and eventually moved on to pilot training and was posted to No.8 Sqn RNAS.
By July 1917 the unit had replaced its Sopwith Triplanes with Camels, and on 13 July 1917 Jordan downed a Rumpler two-seater for his first victory.
On 11 August Jordan and Flt Cdr Charles Dawson Booker shared in the destruction of a black Albatros D.V near Acheville, this aircraft having been flown by Oblt Adolf Ritter von Tutschek of Jasta 12, who had 23 victories to his credit.
Jordan scored his ninth victory, an Albatros D.V, in concert with Flt Sub-Lt Edward G. Johnstone and Flt Sub-Lt Reid on New Year’s Day 1918, and his tally stood at 20 by mid-April, when he was promoted to Captain in the newly formed RAF.
Jordan claimed his first Dr.1 on 23 May, as his 24th.
Jordan, along with Lts R.L.Johns, P.M.Dennett and J.S.McDonald drove a Dr.1 out of control near Merville. The victim was Ltn Hans Grabe of Jasta 14, who died of his wounds on 7 June. Jordan was awarded the DFC soon afterwards.
His nect triplane claims came on 7 July, two miles east of La Bassée, and at 0750 hrs the following day between Meurchin and Epinoy, followed by a Pfalz D.IIIa ten minutes later. By then the triplane had passed its prime.
Jordan’s last success was an LVG out of control 1.5 miles north east of Pacaut Wood on 12 August, after which he returned to the UK on rest leave.
Twenty of his 39 credited victories were shared, and five were over triplanes. Jordan is credited with the most triplanes downed by any Camel pilot.
Jordan was killed in a car crash in late 1931.
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