For Valour : Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Andrew Frederick Weatherby Beauchamp-Proctor

Location: August – October 1918, over France

Who: Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Andrew Frederick Weatherby Beauchamp-Proctor VC DSO MC and Bar DFC, Royal Air Force

4 September 1894 – 21 June 1921

David Cowan Dobson, Anthony Frederick Weatherby Beauchamp-Proctor, oil on canvas, 1919-20. Copyright: the artist’s estate. Image: RAF Museum (every effort has been made to contact the copyright owner for permission to publish this painting.  If you are the owner, please contact the Museum).

After 3 years of static trench warfare, on 21 March 1918 the Great War became mobile again. With the collapse of Russian forces in the east, the German Army was able to move vast numbers of troops to the Western Front, culminating in an attack on a broad aspect. Where, until now, advances by each side could be measured in yards, the Germans penetrated deeply, before being halted not least by outrunning their supply lines. In turn, the Allies launched a major counter-attack on 8 August, known as the 100 Days Offensive, which culminated in the Armistice on 11 November 1918. This Allied offensive involved major air battles.

RAF Museum X004-7598/006

NOTE: there is uncertainty over the hyphen in his name. RFC/RAF records have a hyphen which his passport lacks. In personal correspondence, he signed A. Beauchamp Proctor. RAF Museum follows the RAF naming.

THE LONDON GAZETTE, SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER 1918.

“His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to confer the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned Officer of the Royal Air Force, in recognition of bravery of the highest possible order: — Lieut. (A./Capt.) Andrew Weatherby Beauchamp-Proctor, D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C., No. 84 Sqn., R.A. Force. 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.

RAF Museum X004-7598/006

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 Selvjgny; 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.

Beauchamp-Proctor’s Medal Bar – VC on extreme left RAF Museum X004-7598/006

In all he has proved himself conqueror over fifty-four foes, destroying twenty-two enemy 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 on those serving in his squadron and those around him that will not be easily forgotten. Capt. 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.”

Royal Aircraft Factory SE 5A

Beauchamp-Proctor remained in the RAF after the Armistice but was killed in a flying accident at RAF Upavon, Wiltshire. Initially buried in the local churchyard, being South African by birth, his body was repatriated and he now rests in Mafikeng Cemetery, Republic of South Africa

From left to right: Beauchamp -Proctor’s Grave Markers at Mafeking and Upavon Cemeteries

His Victoria Cross is in Lord Ashcroft’s collection at IWM [formerly Imperial War Museum], Lambeth, London.

Credits:

Citation: London Gazette 30 November 1918
Additional biographical details: For Valour: The Air VCs Chaz Bowyer, Grub Street Publishing.

Photos
Lieutenant Beauchamp-Proctor: RAF Museum
Royal Aircraft Factory SE 5A: RAF Museum
Grave markers: The War Graves Photographic Project (www.twgpp.org)