Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor
Andrew (Anthony) Frederick Weatherby Beauchamp-Proctor VC , DSO , MC with clasp , DFC (* 4. September 1894 , † 21st June 1921 ) was the military most successful fighter pilot of South Africa in the First World War . He was awarded the Victoria Cross , the highest honor for military service in the British Commonwealth. He served, among other things, in the 84th Squadron of the Royal Air Force .
In military reports and post-war reading about the First World War, his first name was incorrectly given as "Anthony" for a long time. However, recent research has shown that his real name was "Andrew".
The son of a teacher studied mechanical engineering in Cape Town , but dropped out and enlisted for military service.
For his period of operation between November 1917 and October 1918 over France , he was awarded a total of 54 aerial victories, of which only 22 were downs of enemy aircraft. He forced 16 other machines to make an emergency landing “out of control”. He also shot 16 balloons, which was hailed as the British "record". He was also praised for his successful attacks on enemy ground forces.
Beauchamp-Proctor died on June 21, 1921 when his Sopwith Snipe crashed .
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| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Beauchamp-Proctor, Andrew |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Beauchamp-Proctor, Anthony Frederick Weatherby |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | South African flying ace |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 4th September 1894 |
| DATE OF DEATH | June 21, 1921 |