Arthur Percival Foley Rhys-Davids, DSO, MC & Bar,
September 26th, 1897
What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
— Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,—
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.
What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.
The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.
(Wilfred Owen, 1917)
Perhaps nobody has ever summed up the futility and horror of war more than Wilfred Owen. Perhaps his two most famous poems, Anthem for Doomed Youth, above, and the withering summary of the horror of war, Dulce et Decorum Est, were both written while he was in hospital in 1917, convalescing from shell-shock he experienced when he was caught in the blast of a trench mortar shell fighting in France, and spent several days unconscious on an embankment lying amongst the remains of his fellow officers. They sent him back to France, of course, once he was ‘recovered’, and it was there, on the 4th of November 1918, during the crossing of the Sambre–Oise Canal, one week before the end of the war, that he was killed in action.
He was 25 years old.
What you’re about to read is the story of another Doomed Youth, Arthur Rhys-Davids. You’ll, hopefully, read this and then think about what a brave young man he was and how much he had achieved. But I want you to remember that when he was killed on the 27th of October, 1917, Arthur was just 20 years old.
And then, perhaps, it’s easy to understand how Wilfred Owen, who saw men around him dying for their country, and died for his, took the famous line from the poem by the Roman writer Horace - “Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori:” (How sweet and fitting it is to die for one's country) - and called it ‘the old lie.’
Arthur Percival Foley Rhys-Davids was born on September 26, 1897, into a family steeped in intellectual pursuits and public service. His father, Thomas William Rhys-Davids, was a renowned scholar specializing in Pali texts and Buddhist studies, holding a prestigious position as a professor at the University of London. His mother, Caroline Rhys-Davids, was an accomplished historian and author. Arthur grew up in a household where academic excellence was encouraged and expected, a natural extension of his parents’ scholarly careers. As the third of four children, Arthur was raised in an atmosphere that fostered both intellectual curiosity and a sense of duty toward others.
From a young age, Arthur demonstrated a natural talent for learning, excelling in his early education. He began his formal schooling at Windlesham House School in Sussex, a preparatory school with a strong academic reputation. His performance there was exemplary, earning him recognition as a bright and promising student. This early success paved the way for his admission to Eton College, one of England’s most prestigious public schools, known for educating the sons of the nation’s elite. Eton had a long-standing tradition of preparing young men for leadership roles in society, whether in government, the military, or academia, and Arthur's time there would prove foundational to his future.
At Eton, Arthur thrived, both academically and socially. He was awarded the King’s Scholarship, a significant accolade that marked him as one of the most promising students at the school. This scholarship was highly competitive, awarded only to those who displayed exceptional intellectual ability. His academic focus was primarily on classical studies, where he excelled in Latin, Greek, and philosophy, subjects that required rigorous analysis and deep thought. These areas of study were reflective of his intellectual curiosity, particularly in understanding ancient civilizations and their philosophies.
Beyond the classroom, Arthur was engaged in various extracurricular activities, including fencing and boxing, which contributed to the development of his physical fitness and discipline—qualities that would later serve him well in his military career. Eton instilled in its students a strong sense of duty, honour, and responsibility, and Arthur was no exception. His time at Eton prepared him not only for further academic pursuits but also for the leadership and decision-making required in more perilous environments.
Despite his love for classical studies, Arthur initially harboured ambitions to follow in his father’s footsteps and enter the civil service. His education had pointed him toward a career of public service, likely in government or diplomacy, where his intellectual gifts could be put to good use. However, the outbreak of World War I in 1914 changed the trajectory of his life. Like many of his peers, Arthur felt compelled to serve his country in its time of need, and the call of duty led him to a different path—one that would take him away from academic pursuits and into the cockpit of a fighter plane.
In 1916, at the age of 18, Arthur left Eton and joined the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). His decision to join the RFC, rather than pursue the civil service, reflected the patriotism and sense of duty that were so prevalent among young men of his generation. Training as a pilot was an arduous and dangerous process, particularly in the early days of aviation, when aircraft were rudimentary, and accidents were frequent. However, Arthur’s intellect and adaptability, honed through years of rigorous academic study, allowed him to quickly master the complexities of flying.
Arthur's training prepared him for a role in what was still a relatively new branch of the military. The RFC was tasked with providing reconnaissance and air support to ground forces, but it soon became apparent that controlling the skies would be crucial to winning the war. Arthur excelled during his training, and his natural aptitude for flying, combined with his disciplined approach, made him a standout cadet. By the time he completed his training, Arthur was posted to No. 56 Squadron, one of the RFC’s most prestigious units.
No. 56 Squadron was equipped with the S.E.5a, a highly manoeuvrable fighter plane that was considered one of the best aircraft of the war. Arthur quickly made a name for himself within the squadron, earning a reputation for being a calm and precise pilot. His flying style was methodical, a reflection of his intellectual approach to problem-solving, and he gained the respect of his comrades for his ability to stay cool under pressure. By 1917, Arthur was fully engaged in the air war over the Western Front, participating in numerous sorties and dogfights with German aircraft.
One of the most significant moments of Arthur Rhys-Davids’ military career occurred on September 23, 1917. On that day, No. 56 Squadron engaged in a dogfight with the German Jagdstaffel 11, one of the most feared units in the Luftstreitkräfte, Germany’s air force. This unit was led by none other than the Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen, and included some of the best German pilots of the war. During the engagement, Arthur found himself in a duel with Lieutenant Werner Voss, one of Germany’s most skilled aces, who had already amassed 48 confirmed victories.
The dogfight between Rhys-Davids and Voss became legendary in the annals of World War I aviation history. For ten intense minutes, the two pilots engaged in an aerial ballet, circling, diving, and firing at each other as they sought to gain the upper hand. Voss, flying a Fokker triplane, had the advantage of a more manoeuvrable aircraft, but Rhys-Davids’ skill and determination kept him in the fight. Eventually, Rhys-Davids managed to get behind Voss and deliver the fatal shots that sent the German ace's triplane plummeting to the ground. The victory was hailed as one of the most significant of the war, as Voss was widely regarded as one of the finest pilots in the German air force.
Despite the acclaim that followed his victory, Rhys-Davids expressed no joy in the death of his opponent. In a letter to his parents, he wrote, "I wish I had brought him down alive." This sentiment reflected Rhys-Davids’ deep sense of honour and respect for his adversaries, qualities that were ingrained in him during his years at Eton. To him, the dogfight was a matter of duty, not personal glory, and the death of such a skilled and brave opponent weighed heavily on his conscience.
Following the battle with Voss, Rhys-Davids’ reputation as one of the RFC’s top aces continued to grow. By October 1917, he had achieved 25 confirmed victories, a remarkable tally for such a young pilot. His success in the air earned him the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and the Military Cross with Bar, both awarded for acts of exceptional bravery and leadership. However, the toll of constant combat was beginning to show, not just on Rhys-Davids but on all the pilots who flew over the Western Front. The air war was relentless, and survival rates among pilots were low.
On October 27, 1917, Arthur Rhys-Davids embarked on what would be his final mission. He and his squadron were flying a patrol over the Ypres Salient, one of the most dangerous areas of the front. The weather was poor, with thick clouds making it difficult to spot enemy aircraft. During the patrol, they encountered a group of German fighters, and a fierce dogfight ensued. In the chaos of the battle, Rhys-Davids’ aircraft was hit by enemy fire. His plane spiralled out of control and disappeared into the clouds. Despite searches by his comrades, no trace of Rhys-Davids or his aircraft was ever found.
At just 20 years old, Arthur Rhys-Davids was presumed killed in action. His body was never recovered, and he is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial in France, which honours the memory of over 1,000 airmen who lost their lives in World War I and have no known grave. His death was a tragic loss, not just for his family and comrades but for the nation as a whole.
Arthur Rhys-Davids’ legacy as a flying ace and war hero endures to this day. He is remembered not only for his extraordinary skill as a pilot but also for his character and integrity. His achievements in the air, particularly his victory over Werner Voss, remain one of the most celebrated moments of World War I aviation history. More than a century after his death, Arthur Rhys-Davids stands as a symbol of the courage, honour, and sacrifice of the young men who fought and died in the skies over Europe during the Great War.
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