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Air Commodore A W F Glenny


A W F Glenny - 1916Arthur Willoughby Falls     b: 2 Mar 1897                       r: 1 Jul 1940                       d: 29 Jan 1947

MC 17 Sep 1917, Bar - 26 Jul 1918, DFC 3 Dec 1918, CdeG (B) – 15 Jul 1919, MiD – 25 Oct 1940.

For a list of foreign decoration abbreviations, click here

(Army): - 2 Lt: 13 Jan 1915, (T) Lt: 1 Feb 1916, (T) Capt: 25 May 1917, Lt: 1 Jul 1917, Capt: 13 Jan 1918

(RAF): - (T) Capt [Lt]: 1 Apr 1918, Flt Lt: 1 Aug 1919 [1 Apr 1918], Sqn Ldr: 30 Jun 1922, Wg Cdr: 1 Jan 1931, Gp Capt: 1 Jul 1936, Act A/Cdre: xx xxx 1939.

xx xxx xxxx:           Attended RMC Sandhurst

13 Jan 1915:           Officer, Army Service Corps.

16 Oct 1915:           Observer on Probation, No 5 Sqn RFC

 2 Feb 1916:            Appointed Flying Officer (Observer), No 5 Sqn RFC.

21 May 1916:          Returned to Home Establishment (Pilot training)

xx xxx xxxx:             U/T Pilot,

 4 Aug 1916:            Appointed Flying Officer, RFC.

21 Nov 1916:          Returned to France

xx Nov 1916:           Pilot, No 52 Sqn

23-24 Jan 1917:       Temporary duty, No 1 AD

25 May 1917:          Flight Commander, No 9 Sqn RFC.

15 Aug 1917:           Returned to Home Establishment

xx xxx 1917:             ?

12 Feb 1918:           Returned to France

12 Feb 1918:           Flight Commander, No 4 Sqn RFC

17 Feb 1918:           Flight Commander, No 7 Sqn RFC

 6 Oct 1918:            Officer i/c, 'M' Flight

 9 Jan 1919:             Returned to Home Establishment

 1 Aug 1919:            Resigned his Commission in the RASC

 1 Aug 1919:            Awarded Permanent Commission in the rank of Captain

 9 Sep 1919:            Flight Commander, No 20 Sqn.

10 Mar 1921:           Staff Officer, HQ RAF India.

 1 Aug 1922:            Officer Commanding No 28 Sqn.

17 Dec 1923:           Supernumerary, RAF Depot.

30 May 1924:          Squadron Commander?, School of Army Co-operation.

 9 May 1926:           Attended RAF Staff College.

30 Jul 1927:             Staff Officer, HQ Wessex Bombing Area.

 3 Oct 1930:            Senior RAF Officer, HMS Hermes.

18 Sep 1933:           Attended Senior Officers’ War Course, Portsmouth.

16 Jan 1934:            Attended Imperial Defence College.

15 Dec 1934:           SASO, HQ No 22 (Army Co-operation) Group.

27 Jun 1935:            Staff Officer, Deputy Directorate of Equipment (Supply and Movement).

 1 Oct 1936:            Deputy Director of Staff Duties.

 9 Aug 1938:            Non-effective (sick), No 1 RAF Depot.

25 Oct 1938:            Officer Commanding, Aircraft Depot India.

24 Dec 1938:           Officer Commanding, No 1 (Indian) Group.

He gained RAeC Certificate No 3205 on 1 July 1916.  Although his retirement notice in the London Gazette quoted his rank as being Air Commodore, the Air Force Lists show him as a Group Captain without retaining Air Commodore but I have included him until I can confirm the matter either way.

Citation for the award of the Military Cross

2nd Lt. (T./Lt.) Arthur Willoughby Falls Glenny, A.S.C., and R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in co-operation with our artillery.  By dint of great perseverance, skill and very gallant flying he has accomplished splendid, work under very difficult circumstances. On one occasion, during a gale of wind, he successfully ranged three of our heavy batteries upon an enemy battery, which was completely obliterated. He has consistently set a very fine example to his squadron.”

(London Gazette – 17 September 1917)  

Citation for the award of the Bar to the Military Cross

"Capt. Arthur Willoughby Falls Glenny, M.C., A.S.C., attd. R.A.F.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, both in reconnaissance and as an artillery observer. On one occasion. although shot down, he brought in valuable information. On several occasions he conducted successful knock-out shoots with various batteries, obtained excellent photographs, and did much work of a very high standard.

(M.C. gazetted 17th September)"

(London Gazette - 26 Jul 1918)

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross

"Capt. Arthur Willoughby Falls Glenny, M.C. (A.S.C.). (FRANCE)

This officer has rendered valuable and gallant service on many occasions when on photoigraphic and other reconnaissances.  On 16th May, when directing fire on a hostile battery, he was attacked by twelve hostile scouts; his observer's gun jammed, and he was driven down to 2,000 feet, but, handling his machine with great skill, he avoided serious damage; after the scouts had been driven off he 'returned and carried on the shoot with successful results. In this flight, which lasted four hours, he succeeded in taking, fifteeen photographs over corps' counter-battery area.

(M.C. gazetted 17th September, 1917; Bar to M.C. 26th July, 1918.)"

(London Gazette - 3 December 1918)

This page was last updated on 28/03/21

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