Alfred Atkey
Encyclopedia
Alfred Clayburn Atkey MC & Bar
(16 August 1894 – 10 February 1971) was a Canadian First World War pilot.
, Ontario
. His family headed west to a town called Minebow, Saskatchewan
in 1906. He returned to Toronto to work at the Toronto Evening Telegram as a journalist. He then joined the Canadian Army, serving with the 2/24th London Regiment until the end of 1916.
as a probationary Second Lieutenant. In September 1917 he was posted as a bomber pilot flying Airco DH.4 with 18 Squadron
. He and his gunners claimed nine victories flying the Airco DH.4 bomber.
In late April 1918, he was transferred to flying Bristol F 2B
fighter/reconnaissance aircraft with A flight, 22 Squadron
. Along with Lt CG Gass who was his gunner/observer, he claimed 29 aircraft shot down within a month.
In terms of number of claims, Atkey was the top claiming Allied two-seater pilot of the war. His total number of aircraft claimed shot down was 38 (comprising 13 and 1 shared claimed destroyed, 23 and 1 shared 'Out of Control'). Gass contributed some 13 of these claims (himself the most successful gunner in the RFC/RAF).
After posting back to the U.K. in June 1918, Atkey's rank was Captain upon leaving the Royal Air Force
at the end of the war.
the following was written in the The London Gazette
:
The following was written in the Gazette]] when he received the a bar to his MC:
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(16 August 1894 – 10 February 1971) was a Canadian First World War pilot.
Early life
Atkey was born in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. His family headed west to a town called Minebow, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
in 1906. He returned to Toronto to work at the Toronto Evening Telegram as a journalist. He then joined the Canadian Army, serving with the 2/24th London Regiment until the end of 1916.
Aerial service
In 1916 he joined the Royal Flying CorpsRoyal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
as a probationary Second Lieutenant. In September 1917 he was posted as a bomber pilot flying Airco DH.4 with 18 Squadron
No. 18 Squadron RAF
No. 18 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the CH-47 Chinook HC.2 from RAF Odiham. No. 18 Squadron was the first and is currently the largest RAF operator of the Chinook.-First World War:...
. He and his gunners claimed nine victories flying the Airco DH.4 bomber.
In late April 1918, he was transferred to flying Bristol F 2B
Bristol F.2 Fighter
The Bristol F.2 Fighter was a British two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft of the First World War flown by the Royal Flying Corps. It is often simply called the Bristol Fighter or popularly the "Brisfit" or "Biff". Despite being a two-seater, the F.2B proved to be an agile aircraft...
fighter/reconnaissance aircraft with A flight, 22 Squadron
No. 22 Squadron RAF
No. 22 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Sea King HAR.3 and HAR.3A at three stations in the southern United Kingdom. The squadron was originally formed in 1915 as an aerial reconnaissance unit of the Royal Flying Corps serving on the Western Front during First World War...
. Along with Lt CG Gass who was his gunner/observer, he claimed 29 aircraft shot down within a month.
In terms of number of claims, Atkey was the top claiming Allied two-seater pilot of the war. His total number of aircraft claimed shot down was 38 (comprising 13 and 1 shared claimed destroyed, 23 and 1 shared 'Out of Control'). Gass contributed some 13 of these claims (himself the most successful gunner in the RFC/RAF).
After posting back to the U.K. in June 1918, Atkey's rank was Captain upon leaving the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
at the end of the war.
Honours and awards
When Atkey received the Military CrossMilitary Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
the following was written in the The London Gazette
London Gazette
The London Gazette is one of the official journals of record of the British government, and the most important among such official journals in the United Kingdom, in which certain statutory notices are required to be published...
:
- "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When engaged on reconnaissance and bombing work, he attacked four scouts, one of which he shot down in flames. Shortly afterwards he attacked four two-seater planes, one of which he brought down out of control. On two previous occasions his formation was attacked by superior numbers of the enemy, three of whom in all were shot down out of control. He has shown exceptional ability and initiative on all occasions."
The following was written in the Gazette]] when he received the a bar to his MC:
- "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During recent operations he destroyed seven enemy machines. When engaged with enemy aircraft, often far superior in numbers, he proved himself a brilliant fighting pilot, and displayed dash and gallantry of a high order."