Captain Alfred Clayburn Atkey

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Highest scoring two-seater pilot

Top Ace of Efficiency and Effectiveness

The son of Alfred and Annie Evelyn (Shaw) Atkey, Alfred Clayburn. Captain Alfred Clayburn Atkey born in Toronto, Ontario on 16 August 1894. Atkey’s family left Toronto to pioneer western Canada in 1906. From Minebow, Saskatchewan, Atkey returned to Toronto as a journalist for the Toronto Evening Telegram.

Enlistment directly to RFC

On 19 October 1916, Atkey enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps as a probationary Second Lieutenant with No. 18 Squadron of Royal Flying Corps.

No. 18 Squadron at RAF Laarbruch

No. 18 Squadron Royal Flying Corps formed at Northolt on 11 May 1915 and operated with distinction during the war in the fighter, reconnaissance, Army co-operation and night-bombing roles.

Initially equipped with Vickers FB 5ss, it later received FE 2Bs and DH 4s.

expert in gunnery, bombing, photography, reconnaissance

By September 1917, a bomber pilot assigned to 18 Squadron, flying the Airco D.H.4, and on his way to becoming the highest scoring two-seater pilot of the Great War. In his fitness reports, described as an “expert in gunnery, bombing, photography, reconnaissance.” In May 1918, Atkey assumed command of “A” flight in 22 Squadron. Abandoning the “Four,” he began flying the Bristol F.2b. For his gunner and observer, he chose Lieutenant Charles Gass. Together, they were deadly, shooting down 29 enemy aircraft in less than one month. They were lucky too. On one occasion, their Bristol Fighter so badly shot up that Gass had to crawl out onto the lower wing to counterbalance the aircraft so that Atkey could fly it back to base. – The Aerodrome

Two Against Twenty

In an historic dogfight known as “Two Against Twenty,” Atkey and Gass, together with John Gurdon and his observer, Anthony Thornton, encountered 20 German scouts during the evening of 7 May 1918. In the epic battle that followed, Atkey and Gass shot down 5 enemy aircraft while Gurdon and Thornton knocked down 3.

Two days later, Atkey and Gass again shot down 5 enemy aircraft in one day.

Report

7.5.18 – B.F. 2B B1164:B1253.2 Lts.A/C Atkey, J.E.Gurdon, C.G.Gass, A.J.H. Thornton. 6.45pm. 10 miles N.E. of Arras: 0.P.: 15,000′. 4 in. flames; 4 crashed.

“Whilst doing an O.P. in pairs, 2/Lt.Gurdon and myself dived on a formation of e.a. In the first dive both machines shot down one E.A. in flames and on coming out of the dive, 2/Lt Thornton (obs) fired at one which was on his tail which also burst into flames. One E.A. almost collided with the tail of 2/Lt. Atkey’s machine and was shot down in flames at the range of only a few feet. During this fighting the the e.a. were reinforced by two other formations which brought their number up to about twenty. We were fighting with for about half an hour during which time many of them spun away possibly o.o.c. or just breaking of the engagement. Only four were actually seen to crash and are claimed by 2/Lt. Atkey 2, 2/Lt.Gurdon 1, 2/Lt Gass 1. We had then run out of amm. for the back guns so broke off the fighting. As we left we counted the e.a., which did not follow us, and there were only seven left.”

George Atkey

German Spring Offensive

During the month of May 1918, Atkey claimed the highest monthly total for any pilot in the Great War with 26 victories. Edward Mannock (also May 1918) and Ernst Udet (August 1918) followed with 19 victories each.

Atkey officially ranked among the Aces as 35th.

The top Aces for the Spring Offensive, which included the highest number of enemy and allied planes in the air at the same time included: Edward Mannock (39), Canadian Donald MacLaren (35), followed by Alfred Atkey (33), German Erich Loewenhardt (25) and George McElroy (23).

Military Cross Citation of Second Lieutenant Alfred C Atkey

2nd Lt. Alfred Clayburn Atkey, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When engaged on reconnaissance and bombing work, he attacked four scouts, one of which he shot down in flames. Shortly afterwards he attacked four two-seater planes, one of which he brought down out of control. On two previous occasions his formation was attacked by superior numbers of the enemy, three of whom in all were shot down out of control. He has shown exceptional ability and initiative on all occasions.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 22 June 1918 (30761/7402)

MC Bar Citation of Captain Alfred Clayburn Atkey

Lt. (T./Capt.) Alfred Clayburn Atkey, M.C., R.A.F.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During recent operations he destroyed seven enemy machines. When engaged with enemy aircraft, often far superior in numbers, he proved himself a brilliant fighting pilot, and displayed dash and gallantry of a high order.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 September 1918 (30901/10880)

Lt Charles George Gass MC

The highest scoring observer ace of the war, Charles George Gass served as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 17th Battalion of the London Regiment before he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1917 and posted to 22 Squadron on 26 March 1918. In an historic dogfight known as “Two Against Twenty,” Gass with pilot Alfred Atkey, together with John Gurdon and his observer, John Thornton, encountered 20 German scouts during the evening of 7 May 1918. In the epic battle that followed, Atkey and Gass shot down 5 enemy aircraft while Gurdon and Thornton knocked down 3. Two days later, Atkey and Gass again shot down 5 enemy aircraft in one day.

Military Cross Citation of Lt Charles George Gass

2nd Lt. Charles George Gass, Lond. R., attd. R.A.F.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During many engagements, generally against heavy odds, he destroyed five enemy aircraft. He showed great ability and an entire disregard for personal danger.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 September 1918 (30901/10953)

Post Great War

Captain Atkey transferred to the Royal Air Force unemployed list on 3 May 1919. Atkey emigrated to the United States in 1923 after having married Irene E Marshall in March 1919. On 23 January 1924, at age 29 and employed as a writer in Los Angeles, California, he filed a Declaration of Intention to become an American citizen.

On 26 August 1942 he married for a second time to Dulcie May Boadway (b. circa 1914) in Toronto, Ontario. They had four children, Alfred (b. 1943), Donna (b. 1945), George (b. 1951) and Susan (b. 1953). He enlisted in the second war, assigned to Downsview, Ontario as a link trainer for new pilots.

Atkey died in Toronto, on 10 February 1971, and is buried in Springcreek Cemetery, Mississauga, Ontario.

Captain Alfred Clayburn Atkey in the Great War