Sergeant Arthur Ernest Newland DFM & Bar (1882–1964) was a British

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

observer ace credited with 22 victories.

Early life

Newland was born about 1882 to Jane Newland, who was from Clerkenwell. His father William was a labourer from

Westminster Westminster is the main settlement of the City of Westminster in Central London, Central London, England. It extends from the River Thames to Oxford Street and has many famous landmarks, including the Palace of Westminster, Buckingham Palace, ...

Aerial service

Newland was assigned to

No. 20 Squadron RAF No. 20 Squadron is the Royal Air Force's Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) for ground-based Tactical Air Command and Control, and Air Battle Management. It is part of the RAF's Air Surveillance and Control System (ASACS) and is based at RAF ...

as an observer/gunner in the rear seat of a Bristol F.2 Fighter. He was teamed with several pilot aces, such as Paul Iaccaci, Dennis Latimer, and

George E. Randall Squadron Leader George Ebben Randall (19 January 1899 – 12 April 1955) was a British World War I flying ace credited with eleven aerial victories. Early life George Ebben Randall was born in 1899 in London.''Above the Trenches: a Complete Re ...

, although his primary pilot, with whom he scored ten victories, was August Iaccaci. He scored his first triumph on 18 May 1918, and was already an ace by the end of the month, with 6 wins. He scored three more times in June. There was then a lull in his string, until his double victories on 14 August, followed by a hat trick on the 21st. Another win tallied on the 22nd made him a triple ace. He then shot doubles on the 6th, 15th, and 27 September. Combined with a single on 16 September, that brought his final count to 22. In summary, he destroyed 19 enemy aircraft, including two shared victories. Additionally, he drove down three enemies out of control. With one exception, his victories were over enemy fighter planes.

Honours and awards

;Distinguished Flying Medal :No. 67162 Private, 1st Class, Arthur Newland (Enfield Wash). ::"He is an excellent shot, and has done remarkably well as an observer, gaining the confidence of the pilots with whom he has served. He has personally assisted in shooting down five enemy aeroplanes." ;Bar to the Distinguished Flying Medal :67162 Sergeant-Observer Arthur Newland, DFM. (Enfield Wash). (FRANCE) ::"This non-commissioned officer sets a splendid example of courage, skill and determination to the other non-commissioned officers of his squadron. During the month of August he crashed six enemy machines."

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Newland, Arthur Ernest 1882 births 1964 deaths Military personnel from the London Borough of Enfield Royal Air Force personnel of World War I Royal Air Force airmen People from Enfield, London Royal Flying Corps soldiers British World War I flying aces Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Medal