Four of Our Finest: The Great War Pilots Fall

Joseph Fall was a survivor. He survived a horrific accident at age fourteen and the brain surgery that followed. He survived the Great War as a pilot in the Royal Naval Air Service. He survived polio between the wars, and he survived the Second World War serving as a Group Captain in North Africa.</p>Alfred Atkey flew Bristol Fighters with No. 22 Squadron. He and his observer, Charles Gass, were a formidable pair. Between them they shot down as many enemy planes as the King of the Two-Seaters, Andrew McKeever.</p>William Claxton flew the SE5a, one of the most impressive aircraft of the First War. Claxton was an excellent pilot and totally fearless. Called "Dozey" by his peers for his nonchalant attitude, in air combat he was one of the finest.</p>Francis Qiugley began the war as a Sapper with the Canadian Engineers. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and joined No. 70 Squadron flying Sopwith Camels. He was an expert pilot and deadly shot. However, Quigley met with tragedy before the war was over.</p>