Anthony Arnold
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Group Captain Anthony Rex Arnold DSC DFC (26 August 1896 – 25 May 1954) was a British World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.[2][3]
Royal Air Force
Anthony Rex Arnold | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 August 1896 |
| Died | 25 May 1954 (aged 57) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Flying Corps Royal Air Force |
| Service years | 1914 – after 1936 |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Unit | No. 8 Squadron RNAS |
| Commands | No. 79 Squadron RAF |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Flying Cross Belgian Croix de Guerre[1] |
| Other work | Served as Group Captain in 1936 |
Early life
Arnold was born to Mary Delamere Tylor and Charles Lowther Arnold on 26 August 1896,[4] in Fareham, Hampshire, England, a great-great-grandson of Gen. Benedict Arnold.[2]
Early service
Arnold was confirmed in the rank of Flight Sub-Lieutenant, effective from 1 August 1914, when he was assigned to HMS Pembroke on 5 October 1914.[5] He was granted aviators certificate No. 876 on 28 August 1914.[6] He was promoted to Flight Lieutenant on 31 December 1914.[7][8] Arnold was elected to membership of the Royal Aero Club on 5 October 1915.[9]
Aerial victories
Assigned to No. 8 Naval Squadron RNAS, he began his victory string on 8 April 1917 and finished with his fifth win on 13 June 1917. He flew a Sopwith Triplane for all five wins. He then was posted to instructor duty and promoted Major in the newly formed RAF. His majority brought him command of No. 79 Squadron.[2][10]
On 26 April 1918 Arnold was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross,[11] and received the Distinguished Flying Cross on 1 January 1919.[12]
Post World War I
He remained in the postwar RAF. On 1 January 1930, he was promoted from Squadron Leader to Wing Commander,[13] and was promoted to Group Captain on 1 January 1936.[14][15]
By the 1950s, he was working for a bank. He died in Mozambique in 1954.[3]