Captain Arthur Claydon (25 September 1885 – 8 July 1918) was a British

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

flying ace A flying ace, fighter ace or air ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The exact number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an ace is varied, but is usually co ...

credited with seven aerial victories.

Biography

Claydon was one of five brothers, born in Deeping St. James, Lincolnshire. In 1902 he and his older brother Ebenezer emigrated to Canada, and after settling in

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founded their own general contracting business in 1904. Having been a member of the militia unit The Winnipeg Grenadiers since 1903, he was commissioned as a lieutenant when he enlisted into the

Canadian Expeditionary Force The Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) was the expeditionary field force of Canada during the First World War. It was formed following Britain’s declaration of war on Germany on 15 August 1914, with an initial strength of one infantry division ...

on 18 February 1916, and was assigned to the 38th Battery, 10th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. After arriving in England he transferred to the

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on 30 October 1916, to train as a pilot at

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. On 29 April 1917 he was seconded to the RFC with the rank of temporary lieutenant, and was appointed a flying officer the same day. He was posted to No. 32 Squadron on 6 September. On 11 November 1917 he was shot down by German ace

Max Ritter von Müller Max Ritter von Müller (birth name Max Müller) (1 January 1887 – 9 January 1918) PlM, IC, MOMJ was a German World War I fighter ace credited with 36 victories. He was the highest scoring Bavarian pilot of the war. A prewar pilot, Müller b ...

, but survived, gaining his first victory shortly afterwards, on 20 November, flying a DH.5. On 6 May 1918 he was promoted to acting-captain. Between 8 May and 25 June 1918, he gained six more victories (including one shared) flying the S.E.5a. Claydon was killed on 8 July 1918, after being shot down by

Paul Billik Paul may refer to: *Paul (given name), a given name (includes a list of people with that name) *Paul (surname), a list of people People Christianity * Paul the Apostle (AD c.5–c.64/65), also known as Saul of Tarsus or Saint Paul, early Chri ...

of '' Jagdstaffel 52'' near

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. He is buried at the Cabaret Rouge British Cemetery at

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. On 2 August 1918 his award of the Distinguished Flying Cross was gazetted. The citation read: :Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) Arthur Claydon (formerly Canadian Field Artillery). :Recently this officer, single-handed, went to the assistance of another pilot, who was attacked by eleven Fokker biplanes and six scouts. By his gallant conduct and skilful manoeuvring he not only extricated the pilot, but drove down several of the enemy aeroplanes. He has shown great initiative and gallantry in locating, bombing and attacking troops on the ground from low altitudes.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Claydon, Arthur 1885 births 1918 deaths People from the Deepings Canadian Expeditionary Force officers Royal Flying Corps officers British World War I flying aces Royal Air Force personnel of World War I British military personnel killed in World War I Aviators killed by being shot down Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery personnel