Anthony Norman Davis
| Anthony Norman Davis | |
|---|---|
| Born |
14 August 1918 Surrey, England |
| Died | 1988 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Engineers Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1938–1972 |
| Rank | Air Commodore |
| Commands held | No. 16 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross |
Air Commodore Anthony Norman Davis DSO DFC (14 August 1918 – 1988) was a British Royal Air Force officer who served as a pilot during the Second World War.
Born in the Farnham area of Surrey, Davis was the son of Lieutenant-Colonel H. J. N. Davis. He graduated from the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich as a second lieutenant in the Royal Engineers,[1] In 1940, he transferred to the Royal Air Force as a pilot.[2]
When he announced his engagement to Dominique Gauquié in 1950 he was the air attache in Budapest.[3] In 1963, he was promoted air commodore as the air attache in Moscow.[4]
He appeared on British television in the 1970s as the Ministry of Defence spokesman on Unidentified Flying Objects.[5]
"Sqn Ldr. Davis has been engaged continuously on photographic reconnaissance work. He has proved himself a skillful and courageous pilot who has never failed to obtain excellent photographs even in the face of intense opposition. On four occasions he has been attacked by formations of enemy aircraft, but he has always outmaneuvered his assailants successfully. On one of his missions over the Dortmund-Ems canal his petrol tank was hit by anti-aircraft fire. Despite the loss of fuel and damage sustained, Sqn. Ldr. Davis continued with his allotted task and secured some fine results. He has commanded his squadron for a period of eight months, during which time he has displayed exceptional qualities of determination, leadership, and judgment." [6]
His grandson is the Franco-British actor Edward Akrout.
Honours and awards
- 16 November 1943 - Flight Lieutenant Anthony Norman Davis (43544) of No. 16 Squadron is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).[7]
- 24 July 1945 - Acting Squadron Leader Anthony Norman Davis (43544) of No. 16 Squadron is awarded the Distinguished Service Order.[8]
References
- ↑ "No. 34545". The London Gazette (Supplement). 26 August 1938. p. 5477.
- ↑ "No. 34870". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 June 1940. p. 3518.
- ↑ "Marriages." Times [London, England] 16 Mar. 1950: 9. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.
- ↑ "News in Brief." Times [London, England] 25 Apr. 1963: 6. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.
- ↑ UFO programme 'panic' gripped ministry.
- ↑ "Davis, Anthony Norman - TracesOfWar.com". www.tracesofwar.com. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
- ↑ "No. 36248". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 November 1943. p. 5024.
- ↑ "No. 37192". The London Gazette (Supplement). 24 July 1945. p. 3833.