Art Duncan
Encyclopedia
Captain William James Arthur Duncan (July 4, 1891 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
– April 13, 1975 in Aurora, Ontario
) was a Canadian aviator and a professional ice hockey
player and coach
.
He interrupted his sports career to serve in World War I, and became a fighter ace
credited with 11 official aerial victories.
Duncan's October 1, 1916 enlistment papers gave his birth date as July 4, 1891, and his birthplace as Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, Canada. He was an accountant. He listed his next of kin as his mother, Mrs. W. A. Duncan. He listed his home address as his mother's place in Toronto. He also claimed to be serving in the 34th Regiment of the militia, which may be the basis for his direct commissioning as an officer.
During the 1916 and 1917 hockey seasons, Duncan continued to play, as his battalion fielded a team in the National Hockey Association
both years. His transfer to France cut off his sporting career.
On August 1, 1917, Lieutenant W. J. A. Duncan of the Canadian Railway Troops was appointed a Flying Officer
in the Royal Flying Corps
and seconded for duty with them. He was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
and assigned to 60 Squadron in September 1917 as a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a pilot with a roving commission.
Duncan scored his first aerial victory on November 6, 1917, when he destroyed a German DFW
reconnaissance plane northeast of Polygon Wood. He began to accumulate wins. On the day the RFC was consolidated into the Royal Air Force, April 1, 1918, he shared his seventh victory with American ace John Griffith
. On May 17, 1918, he raised his tally to nine. The next day, he was promoted to temporary captain. He would score twice more after that, destroying an LVG on June 3 and busting a German observation balloon
on June 5, 1918. He was returned to Home Establishment on June 30, 1918. A summary of his victories included an enemy observation balloon
destroyed, an enemy fighter plane captured, seven enemy planes destroyed (including four shared wins), and two enemy airplanes driven down out of control.
His combat exploits won him the award of the Military Cross, gazetted on July 26, 1918: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion he attacked and shot down an enemy plane which had been engaged at firing on our infantry. He then led his patrol over the enemy's lines, dived down to an altitude of 100 feet, and attacked large numbers of hostile infantry with machinegun fire, causing the utmost panic amongst them and inflicting heavy casualties. His continuous gallantry and initiative have been most conspicuous.
An award of a Bar to the Military Cross in lieu of a second award followed on September 16, 1918: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer sighted fifteen enemy scouts attacking eight of ours and immediately joined in, destroying one enemy aeroplane, which fell with a wing off. He then attacked and drove down three other machines, maintaining the fight until the eight had got back to their lines. He has also, with another officer, destroyed an Albatros scout, which he followed down to a height of 200 feet, in spite of heavy machine-gun fire from the ground.
He played eight seasons in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association
with the Vancouver Millionaires
(1915–16; 1918–19–1921–22) and Vancouver Maroons (1922–23–1924–25). He played with the Calgary Tigers
of the Western Hockey League
for one season (1925–26). He also played with the Detroit Cougars
(1926–27) and Toronto Maple Leafs
(1927–28–1931–32) in the National Hockey League
. Duncan served as player-coach with both the Cougars and the Maple Leafs.
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Sault Ste. Marie is a city on the St. Marys River in Algoma District, Ontario, Canada. It is the third largest city in Northern Ontario, after Sudbury and Thunder Bay, with a population of 74,948. The community was founded as a French religious mission: Sault either means "jump" or "rapids" in...
– April 13, 1975 in Aurora, Ontario
Aurora, Ontario
Aurora is an affluent town in York Region, approximately 20 km north of Toronto. It is partially situated on the Oak Ridges Moraine, and is a part of the Greater Toronto Area and Golden Horseshoe of Southern Ontario.Many Aurora residents commute to Toronto and surrounding communities.In the...
) was a Canadian aviator and a professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player and coach
Coach (ice hockey)
Coach in ice hockey is the person responsible for directing the team during games and practices, prepares strategy and decides which players will participate in games....
.
He interrupted his sports career to serve in World War I, and became a fighter ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with 11 official aerial victories.
Early life and service
Duncan debuted in professional hockey in the 1915–16 season.Duncan's October 1, 1916 enlistment papers gave his birth date as July 4, 1891, and his birthplace as Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, Canada. He was an accountant. He listed his next of kin as his mother, Mrs. W. A. Duncan. He listed his home address as his mother's place in Toronto. He also claimed to be serving in the 34th Regiment of the militia, which may be the basis for his direct commissioning as an officer.
During the 1916 and 1917 hockey seasons, Duncan continued to play, as his battalion fielded a team in the National Hockey Association
National Hockey Association
The National Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey organization with teams in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. It is the direct predecessor organization to today's National Hockey League...
both years. His transfer to France cut off his sporting career.
World War I
Duncan first served with the 228th Battalion CEF in France as a lieutenant.On August 1, 1917, Lieutenant W. J. A. Duncan of the Canadian Railway Troops was appointed a Flying Officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
in the Royal Flying Corps
Royal 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...
and seconded for duty with them. He was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal 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...
and assigned to 60 Squadron in September 1917 as a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a pilot with a roving commission.
Duncan scored his first aerial victory on November 6, 1917, when he destroyed a German DFW
Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke
Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke, usually known as DFW was a German aircraft manufacturer of the early twentieth century. It was established by Bernhard Meyer and Erich Thiele at Lindenthal in 1910, and initially produced Farman designs under licence, later moving on to the Etrich Taube and eventually to...
reconnaissance plane northeast of Polygon Wood. He began to accumulate wins. On the day the RFC was consolidated into the Royal Air Force, April 1, 1918, he shared his seventh victory with American ace John Griffith
John Griffith (aviator)
Lieutenant John Sharpe Griffith was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories. Post war, he flew for the White Army forces in Russia. He returned to service during World War II, and finally retired in 1956.-World War I:...
. On May 17, 1918, he raised his tally to nine. The next day, he was promoted to temporary captain. He would score twice more after that, destroying an LVG on June 3 and busting a German observation balloon
Balloon buster
Balloon busters were military pilots known for destroying enemy observation balloons. These pilots were noted for their fearlessness. Seventy-six fighter pilots in World War I were each credited with destroying five or more balloons, and thus were balloon aces....
on June 5, 1918. He was returned to Home Establishment on June 30, 1918. A summary of his victories included an enemy observation balloon
Observation balloon
Observation balloons are balloons that are employed as aerial platforms for intelligence gathering and artillery spotting. Their use began during the French Revolutionary Wars, reaching their zenith during World War I, and they continue in limited use today....
destroyed, an enemy fighter plane captured, seven enemy planes destroyed (including four shared wins), and two enemy airplanes driven down out of control.
His combat exploits won him the award of the Military Cross, gazetted on July 26, 1918: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion he attacked and shot down an enemy plane which had been engaged at firing on our infantry. He then led his patrol over the enemy's lines, dived down to an altitude of 100 feet, and attacked large numbers of hostile infantry with machinegun fire, causing the utmost panic amongst them and inflicting heavy casualties. His continuous gallantry and initiative have been most conspicuous.
An award of a Bar to the Military Cross in lieu of a second award followed on September 16, 1918: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer sighted fifteen enemy scouts attacking eight of ours and immediately joined in, destroying one enemy aeroplane, which fell with a wing off. He then attacked and drove down three other machines, maintaining the fight until the eight had got back to their lines. He has also, with another officer, destroyed an Albatros scout, which he followed down to a height of 200 feet, in spite of heavy machine-gun fire from the ground.
Post World War I
On March 31, 1919, Duncan resigned his commission upon ceasing to be employed by the Royal Air Force.He played eight seasons in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association
Pacific Coast Hockey Association
The Pacific Coast Hockey Association was a professional men's ice hockey league in western Canada and the western United States, which operated from 1911 to 1924 when it then merged with the Western Canada Hockey League...
with the Vancouver Millionaires
Vancouver Millionaires
The Vancouver Millionaires were a professional ice hockey team that competed in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association and the Western Canada Hockey League between 1911 and 1926...
(1915–16; 1918–19–1921–22) and Vancouver Maroons (1922–23–1924–25). He played with the Calgary Tigers
Calgary Tigers
The Calgary Tigers, often nicknamed the Bengals, were an ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 1920 until 1927 as members of the Big Four League, Western Canada Hockey League and Prairie Hockey League. The Tigers were revived in 1932, playing for a short-lived four years in the...
of the Western Hockey League
Western Canada Hockey League
The Western Canada Hockey League , founded in 1921, was a major professional ice hockey league originally based in the prairies of Canada. It was renamed the Western Hockey League in 1925 and disbanded in 1926.-History:...
for one season (1925–26). He also played with the Detroit Cougars
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
(1926–27) and Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
(1927–28–1931–32) in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. Duncan served as player-coach with both the Cougars and the Maple Leafs.
Regular season
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1913–14 | Edmonton Eskimos | ASHL | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 16 |
| 1914–15 | Edmonton Albertas | ASHL | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11 |
| 1915–16 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 17 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 25 |
| 1916–17 | Toronto 228th Battalion | NHA | 6 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| 1918–19 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 17 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 1919–20 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 22 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 3 |
| 1920–21 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 24 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 6 |
| 1921–22 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 24 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 25 |
| 1922–23 | Vancouver Maroons | PCHA | 25 | 15 | 6 | 21 | 8 |
| 1923–24 | Vancouver Maroons | PCHA | 30 | 21 | 10 | 31 | 44 |
| 1924–25 | Vancouver Maroons | WCHL | 26 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 28 |
| 1925–26 | Calgary Tigers | WHL | 29 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 30 |
| 1926–27 | Detroit Cougars | NHL | 34 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 26 |
| 1927–28 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 43 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 97 |
| 1928–29 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 39 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 53 |
| 1929–30 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 38 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 49 |
| 1930–31 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Playoffs
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1913–14 | Edmonton Eskimos | ASHL | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 1918–19 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1919–20 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1920–21 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 1920–21 | Vancouver Millionaires | Stanley Cup | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 1921–22 | Vancouver Millionaires | PCHA | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1921–22 | Vancouver Millionaires | WCHL playoffs | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 1921–22 | Vancouver Millionaires | Stanley Cup | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| 1922–23 | Vancouver Maroons | PCHA | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1922–23 | Vancouver Maroons | Stanley Cup | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 1923–24 | Vancouver Maroons | PCHA | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 1923–24 | Vancouver Millionaires | WCHL playoffs | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 1923–24 | Vancouver Maroons | Stanley Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 1928–29 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 1930–31 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Coaching
| Team | |Regular Season | TOR Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
1930–31 | 42 | 21 | 13 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (53) | 2nd in Canadian | Lost in First Round | |||||
| TOR Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
1931–32 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | ||
| (53) | 2nd in Canadian | (fired) |