In Memory Of

BEAUCHAMP-PROCTOR, ANDREW FREDERICK WEATHERBY

Service Details
Age:
 26
Date of Birth:
 1894-09-04
Rank:
 Captain
Regiment:
 Royal Air Force
Date of Death:
 1921-06-21
Cause of Death:
 Died in Aircraft Accident, Sopwith 7F.1 Snipe E8220, training accident in preparation for an air show at the RAF Hendon. His aircraft went into a vicious spin after performing a slow loop, and he was killed in the ensuing crash. At least one observer remarked that the loss of control and subsequent crash of the aircraft could have been linked to Proctor's diminutive size
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
 European Sect. 1050-1052.
Cemetery:
 MAFIKENG CEMETERY
Localitly:
 North West Province
Country:
 South Africa
Additional Information
Decorations:
 V C, D S O, M C and bar, D F C
Citations:
 An extract from the "London Gazette," dated 30th Nov., 1918, records the following:-"Between August 8th, 1918, and October 8th, 1918, this officer proved himself victor in twenty-six decisive combats, destroying twelve enemy kite balloons, ten enemy aircraft, and driving down four other enemy aircraft completely out of control. Between October 1st, 1918, and October 5th, 1918, he destroyed two enemy scouts, burnt three enemy kite balloons, and drove down one enemy scout completely out of control. On October 1st, 1918, in a general engagement with about twenty-eight machines, he crashed one Fokker biplane near Fontaine and a second near Ramicourt; on October 2nd he burnt a hostile balloon near Selvigny; on October 3rd he drove down, completely out of control, an enemy scout near Mont D'Origny, and burnt a hostile balloon; on October 5th, the third hostile balloon near Bohain. On October 8th, 1918, while flying home at a low altitude, after destroying an enemy two-seater near Maretz, he was painfully wounded in the arm by machine-gun fire, but, continuing, he landed safely at his aerodrome, and after making his report was admitted to hospital. In all he has proved himself conqueror over fifty-four foes, destroying twenty-two machines, sixteen enemy kite balloons, and driving down sixteen enemy aircraft completely out of control. Captain Beauchamp-Proctor's work in attacking enemy troops on the ground and in reconnaissance during the withdrawal following on the Battle of St. Quentin from March 21st, 1918, and during the victorious advance of our Armies commencing on August 8th, has been almost unsurpassed in its brilliancy, and as such has made an impression by those serving in his squadron and those around him that will not be easily forgotten. Captain Beauchamp-Proctor was awarded Military Cross on 22nd June, 1918, D.F. Cross on 2nd July, 1918; Bar to M.C. on 16th September, 1918; and Distinguished Service Order on 2nd November, 1918."
Son of Capt. John J. Beauchamp-Proctor, and the late Mrs. J. J. Beauchamp-Proctor, of Castletown Rd., Wynberg, Cape Province. Graduate B.Sc. of University of Cape Town. Born at Mossel Bay, Cape Province.