Arthur Rhys Davids

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Arthur Percival Foley Rhys Davids, DSO, MC (with bar) (September 26, 1897 - October 27, 1917) was a pilot during the First World War. He was the only son of Thomas William Rhys Davids and Caroline Augusta Foley Rhys Davids, eminent Pali Scholars. His father was also the founder of the Pali Text Society. He had an elder sister Vivien Brynhilda, b.1895, and another one three years his junior, Nesta Enid b.1900

Arthur was born in South London, where the family stayed until 1904 when his father was appointed a Professor of comparitive religion at Manchester University. He was a successful student throughout his academic career and in 1911 he followed two of his uncles and was enrolled at Eton College as a King's Scholar, Here he was successful in Classics and his interests included Poetry, English Literature and Music. He was also a keen sportsman, taking part in Football (Soccer), Cricket, Eton Fives and the Eton Field Game. He was also an accomplished Rugby player, usually playing at Half Back.

He left Eton in 1916, a Newcastle Scholar, Captain of the school, and therefore a member of "Pop", the Eton Society. He had won an Exhibition at Oxford University, and intended to take up his place at Balliol College when he returned from the war.

Arthur joined the Royal Flying Corps on 28th August 1916, and on completing his training in England and Scotland he was posted to 56 Squadron and sent to the Western Front.

During his first experience of aerial combat on 7th May 1917 he survived an encounter with Kurt Wolff, on the day his Flight Commander Albert Ball was killed in Action.

On 5th June 1917 he received a telegram informing him that along with Capt. C.M. Crowe and 2nd Lt. R.T.C. Hoidge he had been awarded the Military Cross

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion. On many occasions he has shot down hostile machines and put others out of action, frequently pursuing to low altitudes. On all occasions his fearlessness and dash have been most marked."

Arthur himself claimed that although he was excited, he didn't consider that after a month at the front he deserved such an award when Crowe had been to France on three separate occasions.

Arthur also later served with James Thomas Byford McCudden, another Victoria Cross holder. Once in the air, even by his own admission his nature could be a little too daring for everyone else's liking. As Commander of "B Flight", McCudden had cause to lecture him about unecessary risks and their consequences. Arthur would confess to his mother that once in the air he became a different man and that people could not understand the nature of aerial combat.

Still, he continued to be successful and later received a bar to his MC

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty whilst on offensive patrols. He has in all destroyed four enemy aircraft, and driven down many others out of control. In all his combats his gallantry and skill have been most marked, and on one occasion he shot down an enemy pilot who had accounted for twenty-nine Allied machines. His offensive spirit and initiative have set a magnificent example to all." (London Gazette 17th Sept. 1917)

He was credited with having brought down Germany's Werner Voss on 23rd September 1917, in one of he most famous dogfights of World War One.

During his six months of active service Arthur amassed a total of 25 victories. He was last seen flying east of Roulers when he went missing on October 27, 1917 and the Germans credited Karl Gallwitz of Jasta Boelcke as having brought him down. He was one month past his 20th birthday. His family hoped he had simply been caught and imprisoned and continued to write to him despite a message claiming he was dead that was dropped over British lines by the Germans. Arthur allegedly carried a book of poetry by William Blake with him into combat in case he was shot down and captured.

The British Army declared him as having been killed in action on the date that he dissappeared on March 18, 1918. On the same day he was gazetted again, this time for the Distinguished Service Order.

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in bringing down nine enemy aircraft in nine weeks. He is a magnificent fighter, never failing to locate enemy aircraft and invariably attacking regardless of the numbers against him."