Alfred Atkey
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Alfred Clayburn Atkey MC & Bar (August 16, 1894 - February 10, 1971) was a Canadian First World War pilot.
Atkey was born in Toronto, Ontario. 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. In 1916 he joined the Royal Flying Corps as a probationary Second Lieutenant. By September 1917, he was a bomber pilot flying Airco DH.4 with 18 Squadron. May 1918, he was flying Bristol F 2B fighter/reconnaissance aircraft with A flight, 22 Squadron. Along with Lt 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 RFC/RAF).
Atkey's rank was Captain upon leaving the Royal Air Force at the end of the war.
Alfred Atkey received the Military Cross with Bar. The following was written in the London Gazette:
- "For 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." MC citation, Supplement to the London Gazette, 22 June 1918
The following was written when he received the MC Bar:
- "For 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." MC Bar citation, Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 September 1918
