Robert John

Background

Robert John Orton Compston was born in Farnham, Surrey the son of Herbert Fuller Bright Compston, a clergyman, and his wife Rose Contance Compston (née Orton).

Career

He joined the Royal Naval Air Service in 1915 when he was 17 years old. He originally flew Home Defense missions, but was reassigned to 8 Naval Squadron when it went to France. Compston served in the Royal Air Force in the Second World War.

On the 13 August 1940, while based at Royal Air Force Detling, the airfield came under attack by the Luftwaffe.

lieutenant was the first major effort of the Germans during the Battle of Britain. Junkers Ju 87Stuka dive-bombers devastated the station and Squadron Leader Compston was wounded in action.

One of 42 wounded and 24 killed. He retired from the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1954 with the rank of wing commander.

12 May 1917 Flight Lieutenant Robert John Orton Compston, R.N.A.S. was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Distinguished Service Cross):.

Achievements

• 12 May 1917 Flight Lieutenant Robert John Orton Compston, R.N.A.S. was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Distinguished Service Cross): "Foreign conspicuous skill and gallantry during the past nine months, in particular when attached to the Royal Flying Corps, when he had numerous engagements with enemy aircraft, and certainly destroyed one." 11 August 1917 Flight Commander Robert John Orton Compston, Distinguished Service Cross., R.N.A.S. was awarded a bar to his Distinguished Servrtillery aeroplanes: "On the 12th June, 1917, with three other machines, he attacked six hostile scouts. He got close to one, and shot it down out of control. "On the 16th June, 1917, he attacked and brought down a two-seater Aviatik. "On the 3rd July, 1917, he attacked two Aviatiks, which he drove down and forced to land." On 16 March 1918 Flight Commander Robert John Orton Compston, Distinguished Service Cross., R.N.A.S. was awarded a second bar to his Distinguished Service Cross (Distinguished Service Cross): "Foreign ability and determination when leading offensive patrols, in which he displays entire disregard of personal danger. "On the 1st January, 1918, he observed a new type twin-tailed two-seater enemy machine, which he attacked, firing a good many rounds at point blank range. The enemy machine dived, but was again attacked and went down vertically with his engine full on. The wings came off, and the machine was observed to crash. Later in the day Fairlight Cdr. Compston observed two formations of ten and five Albatross scouts respectively. He attacked one of the enemy machines and sent it down in a flat spin and falling over sideways completely out of control. "On numerous other occasions Fairlight Cdr. Compston has destroyed or driven down enemy machines completely out of control, and has frequently had more than one successful engagement in the same day." 3 June 1918 Captain Robert John Orton, Distinguished Service Cross was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on the occasion of the King"s Birthday for Distinguished Service.

Connections

Friend:

Robert Little