Arthur Whealy

Infobox Military Person
name= Arthur Treloar Whealy


caption=
born=02 November 1895
died=23 December 1945
placeofbirth=Toronto, Ontario
placeofdeath=St. Marguerite, Quebec
nickname=Art
allegiance=George V [Canadian airmen were required to complete an Attestation Paper in which they declared an oath of allegiance to King George the Fifth and agreed to serve in any arm of the service for the duration of the war between Great Britain and Germany. [http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/canada/attestation/index.php aerodrome.com] ]
branch=Royal Naval Air Service, Royal Air Force
serviceyears=
rank=
unit=No. 3 Squadron RAF, No. 9 Squadron RAF, No. 203 Squadron RAF
commands=
battles=
awards=Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
relations=
laterwork=

Arthur Treloar Whealy DFC, DSC & Bar (02 November 1895 - 23 December 1945) was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 27 victories. [www.theaerodrome.com]

Whealy was a medical student at the University of Toronto before World War I. He learned to fly at his own expense at the Curtis Flying School, the first flying school in the United States, founded by Glenn H. Curtis.

He was commissioned on 29 February 1916. It wasn't until 24 August 1916 that he was posted to duty with 3 Wing. He served with both 3 Naval Squadron and 9 Naval Squadron within that wing.

He did not achieve his first victory until 12 April 1917. He flew his Sopwith Pup to three victories as a pilot of 3 Squadron. Then, on 9 May, he scored for the first time for 9 Squadron; he was still flying a Pup, although a different one. He became an ace on 7 July.

9 Naval reequipped with Sopwith Triplanes. Whealy first scored with his new craft on 29 July 1917, knocking one Albatros D.V down out of action and destroying another one in flames within the hour. He then switched airplanes again, to a Sopwith Camel back in 3 Naval. He scored once more in 1917, on 5 September, sending another D.V down without certifying its destruction.

After a five month lapse, he resumed his winning ways with his ninth win on 17 February 1918. He followed that up with five triumphs in March, including the rarity of being responsible for the capture of an Albatross D.V. He added three winners in April, six in May, and a single tally in June, on the 7th, running his total to 24. After a six week lull, he scored his final three victories within two weeks, on 22 and 27 August, and on 4 September.

On 24 September, he was posted to Home Establishment.

His final record was nine enemy airplanes destroyed lone hand; three destroyed with the help of other pilots; one destroyed by fire; one shared victory destroyed by fire; ten down out of control; two down out of control with the aid of other pilots; one captured. He counted no observation balloons among his victories.

Text of citations

Distinguished Service Cross

"Flt. Lieut. Arthur Treloar Whealy, R.N.A.S.For the most consistent determination, bravery and skill with which he has carried out numerous low flying harassing attacks on the enemy's troops, transports, etc., inflicting heavy casualties and damage. By his splendid example and gallantry a great many hostile .operations were hampered and frustrated. He has further brought down many enemy machines."

Distinguished Service Cross - Bar

"Lieut. (Hon. Capt.) Arthur Treloar Whealy, D.S.C., R.A.F.For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has proved himself to be a brilliant fighting pilot. Under his able and determined leadership his flight has engaged and accounted for many enemy machines, he himself being personally responsible for many of these."

Distinguished Flying Cross

"Lieut. (A./Capt.) Arthur Treloar Whealey, D.S.C. (FRANCE)This officer has shown a very high standard of efficiency. Untiring, and full of initiative, he sets a fine example to the younger pilots. During the recent advance he has carried out daring reconnaissances at very low altitudes, invariably bringing back valuable information. He is a bold fighter in the air, having accounted for five enemy machines."

References/External Links

* freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~dav4is/people/CURT599.htm Accessed 5 September 2008.

* http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/canada/whealy.php Accessed 5 September 2008.

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