Background
Arthur Thomas Drinkwater (3/02/1894 - 2/07/ 1970) was born in Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. His father"s name was Alfred.
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Career
He was credited with nine aerial victories. Six of those victories were scored when Drinkwater was a bomber pilot, making him one of the rare bomber pilot aces. When he enlisted on 16 October 1915, he declared he was a natural-born British subject, and that he was a professional soldier.
Despite being not quite 22 years old, he claimed two years prior service in a Field Troop and almost four years experience in the Royal Australian Engineers.
He was assigned Regimental Number 2842 and posted initially to the 7th Field Company Engineers, seemingly marked for cadre duty. By mid-1917, while in England, he had transferred to aviation service.
On 20 June 1917 second lieutenant Drinkwater was appointed a Flying Officer in the Royal Flying Corps. Within two months, he began his victory string while flying bombing missions in an Airco Doctorate.H. 4 light bomber with 57 Squadron.
Teamed with Frank Menendez as his backseater, he scored six victories over the next three months before being withdrawn from combat.
He would return to battle the following year, as a Royal Aircraft Factory Southeast.5a fighter pilot in 40 Squadron. He would score three more wins while with them. He was awarded the.
