Anthony Wall (RAF Officer)

Squadron Leader Anthony Herbert William Wall (17 June 1888 – December 1989) was a British World War I flying ace credited with sixteen aerial victories. He returned to serve in the Royal Air Force in World War II.

World War I

Wall first served in the 17th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps to serve in No. 48 Squadron as an observer/gunner in a Bristol F.2 Fighter.

Paired with Australian ace Lieutenant Fred Holliday as pilot, Wall gained his first victory on 6 April 1917, and then scored twice on 23 and 24 April to become an ace. On 9 May, he destroyed a German LVG reconnaissance aircraft, and later drove down three Albatros D.III fighters. He accounted for two more fighters on 11 May, and four more in June, finally closing out his tally with his 16th victory on 3 July 1917.

On 18 July 1917 he was awarded the Military Cross. His citation read:
:Temporary Captain Anthony Herbert William Wall, Middlesex Regiment and Royal Flying Corps.
::"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. As an observer he has on several occasions assisted to bring down hostile machines. His coolness and accurate shooting have helped very largely in aerial combats."

Wall received a bar to his Military Cross on 25 August 1917.
:Temporary Captain Anthony Herbert William Wall, MC, Middlesex Regiment and Royal Flying Corps.
::"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. By his initiative and skilful manoeuvring he led six hostile machines to an encounter with our own formation, during which five out of the six hostile machines were destroyed and driven down. He had been equally successful the day before in misleading hostile aircraft, and his originality and fearless example were of the greatest value to his squadron."

Wall was elected to membership of the Royal Aero Club on 18 April 1918. On 30 September 1918 he was appointed to the acting rank of major in the Royal Air Force's Administrative Branch. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1919 New Year Honours, "in recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the War." Wall was finally transferred to the RAF unemployed list on 18 October 1919.

List of aerial victories

World War II

Wall returned to military service during the Second World War being appointed a pilot officer on probation in the Administrative and Special Duties Branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on 3 March 1940. He was promoted to flying officer on 28 October 1940, and to flight lieutenant on 19 June 1943. Wall remained on the RAFVR Emergency List post-war until finally relinquishing his commission on 10 February 1954, and was permitted to retain the rank of squadron leader.

References

Bibliography

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wall, Anthony
1888 births
1989 deaths
English centenarians
Men centenarians
Middlesex Regiment officers
Royal Flying Corps officers
Royal Air Force personnel of World War I
British World War I flying aces
Recipients of the Military Cross
Officers of the Order of the British Empire
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve personnel of World War II
Royal Air Force squadron leaders
British Army personnel of World War I
Military personnel from London