Bernard Alexander Levey joined the Army's Training Reserve Battalion at the begining of 1918. He then transferred into the Royal Flying Corps in response to their appeal for volunteers for air crew duties and underwent two months training to be an observer. As a Flight Cadet he was granted temp commission as 2nd Lieutenant (Observer Officers) on 18th July 1918.

After training Bernard joined No 216 Squadron (part of the RAF Independent Force) in France as an observer on 23 July 1918. He flew as an observer on Handley Page O/100 Bombers on both daytime and night time raids.

On the 15 September 1918 his HP O/100 no 1459 (‘Le Tigre’) force-landed returning from a raid. The machine was partly burnt and Lt Levy, 1/Lt H Castle (USAS) & Lt GSL Hubbell (USAS) were all slightly injured. Bernard was awarded the MBE for his bravery in the rescue of one of his colleagues from the burning aeroplane.

The accident ended his service career as he was admitted to No 2 British Red Cross Hospital at Rouen on 18 September 1918 before being transferred to England (3rd London Hospital) on 1 October 1918. Bernard was returned to duties on 13 November 1918, and demobilised in March 1919.

In 1939 Bernard rejoined the RAF and served throughout the war.