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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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Arthur
Wellesley b: 27 Mar 1885
r: 22 Sep 1935
d: 24 Feb 1961
CMG
- 1 Jan 1919, DSO - 13 Sep 1915, Bar - 1 Oct 1917,
AFC - 3 Jun 1919, MiD - 3 Jun 1918.
(RNR):
- Mid'n: 15 Apr 1904,
Act Sub-Lt: 29 Jan 1909, Sub-Lt:
19 Jan 1911,
(RN):
- Lt: 1 Apr 1913, Flt Lt: 1
Apr 1913, Act Flt Cdr: 15
Aug 1913, Flt Cdr: 1 Jul 1914, Sqn
Cdr: 27 May 1915, Wg Cdr: 31 Dec
1916.
(RAF):
- (T) Lt Col [Maj]: 1
Apr 1918, (T) Col: 1
Apr 1918, Act Col: 1 May 1919, Wg
Cdr: 1 Aug 1919, Gp Capt: 1 Jan
1923, Act A/Cdre: 1 Nov 1929?, A/Cdre:
1 Jan 1930.
xx
xxx xxxx:
Officer, Mercantile Marine.
29 Jan 1909:
Officer, RNR.
14 Aug 1909: Officer, HMS Excellent
9 Oct 1909: Officer, HMS Vernon
19 Jan 1910: Officer, HMS Talbot
17
Aug 1912:
Attended
17 Jan 1913: Attached HMS President whilst attending Central Flying School.
1 Apr 1913: Appointed as a Lieutenant on the Supplementary List
17
Apr 1913:
4 Jun 1913: Attended Central Flying School.
15
Aug 1913:
Pilot, Calshot Naval Air Station.
1 Jul 1914: Flight Commander, Calshot Naval Air Station
18 Nov 1914: Flight Commander, Dover Naval Air Station
xx xxx 1914: Flight Commander, No 1 Aeroplane Sqn RNAS
27 May 1915: Squadron Commander, 'A' Sqn, No 1 Wing RNAS
21 Sep 1915:
14 Dec 1915: Officer Commanding Calshot Naval Air Station
31 Jan 1917: Officer Commanding Calshot Naval Air Station and Sub Station at Bembridge and Portland
24 Sep 1917: Officer Commanding, Portsmouth Group RNAS.
1 Apr 1918: Officer Commanding, No 10 Group.
1 Aug 1919: Awarded Permanent Commission as a Lieutenant Colonel
17
Sep 1919: Staff Officer 1st
Class (Air), HQ Mediterranean District.
22
Jan
1920: Removed from the Navy Lists on being awarded Permanent Commission in RAF
1
Apr 1920: Staff Officer 1st Class (Air), HQ Mediterranean Group.
1
Jul 1920: Officer Commanding, School of Aerial
1
Apr 1922: Officer Commanding, Armament and Gunnery School.
2
Mar 1923: Officer Commanding, HQ RAF Mediterranean.
1 May 1923: Appointed as a Member of the Nominated Council of Malta.
5
Aug 1925:
Officer Commanding, RAF Training Base, Leuchars.
3
Nov 1928:
SASO, HQ Coastal Area.
1
Nov 1929:
AOC, No 10 Group.
1 Oct 1931: Director of Equipment.
1 Apr - 24 Jun 1935: Placed on half pay list, scale A.
24 Jun 1935?:
Staff, Department of AMSO.
22 Sep 1935?:
Special Appointment, Directorate of Aeronautical Production.
29 Aug 1939 – 21 Nov 1939: AOC No 42 (Maintenance) Group
Having gained his RAeC Certificate (No 396) on 21 January 1913, he graduated from the first course held at the CFS in April. On 28 June 1914 he carried out some night flying experiments in Sopwith Bat Boat, (No 118) using two 4V lamps attached to the aircraft. He attempted to shoot down Zeppelin LZ39 over Ostend on 17 May 1915 whilst flying Avro 504b, No 1009, for which he was awarded his DSO. He carried out an attack on a U-boat, flying Farman F27 - No 3623, on 26 August 1915 near Ostend., scoring hits but being unable to confirm the sinking even though he saw the boat going down stern first. Retired at his own request.
Citation for the award of the Distinguished Service Order
“Squadron-Commander Arthur Wellesley Bigsworth, R.N.
For his services in destroying single-handed a German submarine on the morning of August 26th, 1915, by bombs dropped from an aeroplane. Squadron-Commander Bigsworth was under heavy fire from the shore batteries and from the submarine whilst manoeuvring for position. Nevertheless, displaying great coolness, he descended to 500 feet, and after several attempts was able to get a good line for dropping the bombs with full effect.”
(London Gazette – 13 September 1915)
This page was last updated on 26/08/19
