Alan Rice-Oxley

Background

He was born as Alan Rice Oxley in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire in July 1896.

Education

He was educated at Watford Grammar School for Boys, which he attended between January 1908 and July 1914.

Career

Rice-Oxley first served as a private in the 21st (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (1st Surrey Rifles), until 5 February 1915 when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, The King"s (Shropshire Light Infantry). He was seconded for duty with the Royal Flying Corps, and appointed a flying officer on 10 September 1916. He trained as a pilot and initially served with Number.

15 Squadron in France, tasked with artillery-spotting and reconnaissance.

He was wounded in action during the Battle of the Somme in October 1916, and after recuperating became a fighter pilot. He was promoted to lieutenant on 1 July 1917.

Subsequently, in 1918 he joined the Sopwith Camel equipped Number. 45 Squadron on the Italian Front.

He recorded his first victories in a combat on 12 July 1918.

Piloting Camel D8240, he and Captain Cedric Howell engaged a formation of between ten and fifteen Austro-Hungarian aircraft in proximity to the town of Feltre. Over the course of the following three days, he destroyed another enemy aircraft and drove a further two down out of control. Rice-Oxley was transferred to the Royal Air Force"s unemployed list on 26 March 1919, and relinquished his commission in the King"s Shropshire Light Infantry on 30 September 1921.

On 12 November 1936 he officially changed his name from Alan Rice Oxley to Alan Rice-Oxley by deed poll.

From 1942–1945 he was interned by the Japanese as a civilian internee at Batu Lintang camp near Kuching, Sarawak. Post-war, he returned to Britain and was working as a farmer at Uploders, Dorset, when he died on 21 July 1961.

He is buried in the churchyard of Saint Mary Magdalene, Loders, Dorset.

Achievements

• Distinguished Flying Cross Lieutenant Alan Rice-Oxley (Shrops LI). "In company with another machine this officer attacked an enemy formation of fifteen aeroplanes, and promptly destroyed two of them. He then repeatedly attacked the remaining thirteen machines, who were crowding on his companion, and the battle ended in the destruction of six of the enemy and one driven down out of control. Two days afterwards he destroyed two more enemy aircraft. The gallantry displayed by this officer, and that of his companion, Captain C. E. Howell, in attacking fifteen machines, was of the very highest order.".

Connections

companion:

C. East. Howell