Background
Atkey was born in Toronto, Ontario.
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Alfred Atkey
Edit ProfileCareer
His family headed west to a town called Minebow, Saskatchewan in 1906. He returned to Toronto to work at the Toronto Evening Telegram as a journalist. He then joined the Canadian Army, serving with the 2/24th London Regiment until the end of 1916.
In 1916 he joined the Royal Flying Corps as a probationary Second Lieutenant.
In September 1917 he was posted as a bomber pilot flying Airco Dialectics and Humanism.4 with 18 Squadron. He and his gunners claimed nine victories flying the Airco Dialectics and Humanism.4 bomber.
In late April 1918, he was transferred to flying Bristol F 2B fighter/reconnaissance aircraft with A flight, 22 Squadron. Along with Lieutenant CG Gass who was his gunner/observer, he claimed 29 aircraft shot down within a month.
In terms of number of claims, Atkey was the top claiming Allied two-seater pilot of the war.
His total number of aircraft claimed shot down was 38 (comprising 13 and 1 shared claimed destroyed, 23 and 1 shared "Out of Control"). Gass contributed some 13 of these claims (himself the most successful gunner in the Reconstruction Finance Corporation/Royal Air Force). After posting back to the United Kingdom in June 1918, Atkey"s rank was Captain upon leaving the Royal Air Force at the end of the war.
Achievements
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When Atkey received the Military Cross the following was written in the The London Gazette: "Foreign 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." The following was written in the Gazette when he received the a bar to his Military Cross: "Foreign 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.".
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Born
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Died
February 10, 1971 (aged 76) -
Nationality
Canada