A. F. W. Beauchamp Proctor

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Captain Andrew (Anthony) Frederick Weatherby Beauchamp-Proctor, VC, DSO, MC and bar, DFC (4 September 1894 – 21 June 1921) was a South African recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Born 4 September 1894, Proctor was attending the University of Cape Town when war broke out. Obtaining his degree, he then joined the Duke of Edinburgh's Own Rifles and served in the German South-West Africa campaign. In August 1915 he was demobilised and continued his studies until reinlisting, this time into the RFC, in March 1917. He joined the newly formed 84 Squadron in July 1917. In September 1917 the unit went to France flying SE5's. Under the command of Major W.Sholto- Douglas the unit became one of the most effective scout squadrons in the RFC/RAF during 1918, Proctor claiming 12 aircraft and 4 balloons in the first six months of the year, winning one of the first DFC's awarded. The twenty three year old Beauchamp Proctor was five feet-two inches tall and could only fly the SE5 with modifications to the aircraft's seat and controls. He was an Acting Captain in 84 Squadron, Royal Air Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

During the period from 8 August to 8 October 1918 over France, Captain Proctor was victorious in 26 air combats, but from his first victory in November 1917 in all he destroyed 22 enemy aircraft, 16 kite balloons (the British record) and drove down a further 16 enemy machines "out of control". In addition, his work in attacking enemy troops on the ground and in reconnaissance during the advance of the Allied armies, commencing on 8 August was almost unsurpassed in its brilliancy.

By Novemeber he had also been awarded a DSO, followed by the VC late in the month. His wartime claims totalled 54; 2 aircraft & 1 shared captured, 13 & 3 shared balloons, 15 & 4 shared aircraft destroyed, 15 & 1 shared aircraft " Out of control".

Proctor was killed in a crash flying a Sopwith Snipe on the 21 June 1921. At least one observer remarked that the loss of control and subsequent crash of the aircraft could have been linked to Proctor's diminutive size.

There still exists confusion over Beauchamp-Proctor's given name. For decades he was listed as "Anthony" but more recent scholarship indicates "Andrew", which apparently is the name on his tombstone.