Stephen Wilkinson enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps during World War One, and was trained as an Equipment Officer.
Finding that he lacked the motivation for this role, he was reassigned as a Kite Balloon officer, and following training in the U.K. was on the point of being deployed overseas with a Kite Balloon Section as an observer, when last minute good fortune dictated that he replace a free ballooning instructor in the U.K.
Remaining in the U.K. for the duration of the war, he
served as a free balloon pilot and instructor, making a number of memorable flights and enjoying some interesting
experiences, which he related in this, his autobiography, first published in 1939.
He was awarded the Air Force Cross in June 1919, for his valuable wartime service during 1914-1918.