Desmond Arthur
Desmond Lucius Studdert P. P. Arthur | |
---|---|
Born | O'Brien's Bridge, County Clare, Ireland | 31 March 1884
Died | 27 May 1913 Lunan Bay near Montrose, Angus, Scotland | (aged 29)
Buried | Sleepyhillock Cemetery, No. 2 Squadron RFC |
Lieutenant Desmond Arthur (1884–1913) was an Irish aviator in No. 2 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. Following his death in Scotland's first fatal aircraft accident; a government inquiry was launched to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. The first inquiry found him responsible, but a later investigation exonerated Arthur. Arthur's ghost is claimed to haunt the
Early life
Lieutenant Desmond Lucius Studdert P. P. Arthur was born on 31 March 1884 at O'Brien's Bridge in County Clare, Ireland.[2] The son of Thomas F. Arthur and Helen Studdert, he came from a prominent Clare family and had a sister, and a brother: Captain Charles William Augustus Arthur.[3][4] Arthur was educated at Portora Royal School, Enniskillen. He was an enthusiastic sportsman and won a number of prizes in motoring speed trials, before becoming Lieutenant in the Army Motor Reserve in 1908.[3][5] Arthur attended the first Irish Aviation Meeting at Leopardstown Racecourse on 29 August 1910. It was there that he was introduced to Cecil Grace, which reinforced his desire to become a pilot.[3] Arthur joined the 5th Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers (Special Reserve) and was promoted to Lieutenant on 27 May 1911.[6][7] He was known for his adventurous nature, as well as his "unassuming manner and unfailing good spirit".[3]
Flying career
On 18 June 1912 Arthur gained his
Contemporaries were surprised by the crash of an experienced pilot.
Ghost stories
On 1 January 1914, the squadron moved from Upper Dysart to Broomfield Farm.[10] Shortly after the government report was published in Autumn 1916, it is claimed that Major Cyril Foggin saw a ghostly figure enter the officers' mess but did not report it, fearing he would lose his post.[17] According to paranormal enthusiasts, there were further sightings by other officers and flight instructors, all occurring in what was the old mess of the No. 2 Flying Squadron, and the ghost became known as the 'Irish Apparition' or the 'Montrose Ghost'. Believers say fear of the ghost caused guards to desert their posts and pilots to request transfer from Montrose.[13] The ghost was named as Desmond Arthur by the editor of British flying magazine The Aeroplane, C. G. Grey. Grey, who was a personal friend of Desmond Arthur, believed that the appearance of his ghost was linked with the official investigation into the crash.[16] A later investigative report, published at the end of 1916, reinstated the reputation of Arthur, finding that the crash was due to a damaged wing.[18]
According to legend, in 1940, a Hurricane pilot was distracted by a "mysterious biplane" whilst searching for a Heinkel bomber.[18] Another legend claims that in 1942, an unidentified flight lieutenant stationed at Montrose crashed into the runway not long after takeoff, and was killed instantly. A week before the crash, he had quarrelled with the mechanic working on his plane. The mechanic became subject to an Inquiry but after little evidence of tampering, the charges were dropped. It is claimed that shortly after the crash, there were reports of a ghost appearing at the airfield wearing a flying suit and goggles. According to believers, the ghost was known to be encountered along the flight line, emerging from the fog. There are also claims that in 1949, when Montrose had become a permanent training station, new cadets were supposedly briefed on the ghost.[19]
It is claimed that Sir Peter Masefield saw what he believed was a 70-horsepower B.E.2 biplane with a pilot wearing a leather flying helmet, goggles and scarf while flying his
Notes
- ^ Caidin, p. 31.
- ^ a b c "The Montrose Haunting". 2005. Retrieved 9 May 2011.[dead link]
- ^ a b c d "Army Aviator Killed – Irish Officer Falls 2,000 Feet". The Irish Times. 31 May 1913. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
- ^ "Scottish Aviation Victim's Funeral". The Scotsman. 30 May 1913. Retrieved 17 May 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Appointments and Resignations". The Scotsman. 13 May 1908. Retrieved 17 May 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d "Airman Killed at Montrose". The Scotsman. 28 May 1913. Retrieved 17 May 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "No. 28498". The London Gazette. 26 May 1911. p. 4001.
- ^ "Ghosthunters capture spirit voices in Montrose". Montrose Review. 13 October 2008.
- ^ Caidin, p. 29.
- ^ a b "Does tragic airman's ghost still stalk barracks? Lt Desmond Arthur, 2 Sqn RFC : Montrose". The Courier. 24 May 2010.
- ^ Caidin, p.34
- ^ Dodd, Liam (2 March 2010). "Lieutenant Desmond L. Arthur". Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
- ^ a b c Caidin, p. 36.
- ^ "Sequel to the Montrose Disaster". The Scotsman. 11 July 1913. Retrieved 17 May 2011.[permanent dead link]
- Joynson-Hicks, William (16 March 1914). "Safety of Army Aeroplanes". The Scotsman. Retrieved 17 May 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c Bernauw, Patrick. "The Story of the Pilot Ghost of Montrose". Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
- ^ Caidin, p. 35.
- ^ a b Caidin, p. 37.
- ^ a b Caidin, p. 38.
- ^ Caidin, p. 39.
References
- ISBN 978-1-880090-10-7.
- ISBN 0-285-62476-8.