THE VICTORIA CROSS GROUP AWARDED TO A / CAPTAIN ANDREW BEAUCHAMP-PROCTOR, 84 SQUADRON, ROYAL AIR FORCE, HAS BEEN ACQUIRIED BY THE LORD ASHCROFT VICTORIA CROSS COLLECTION. |
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17 October 2016 |
The Victoria Cross, and other gallantry awards, awarded to A / Captain Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor, 84 Squadron, Royal Air Force, have been acquired by the Lord Ashcroft VC Collection. The full VC medal group will go on display in the Imperial War Museum's Lord Ashcroft Gallery. The Beauchamp-Proctor Victoria Cross group is the 200th acquisition by the Lord Ashcroft VC Collection.
In June 1921 Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor was detached to RAF Upavon where he was detailed to participate in the imminent Royal Air Force Pageant. On 21 June, flying Sopwith Snipe E8220 he was practising for his display item and began a loop. As the Snipe inverted at the top of the arc, it fell away viciously into an inverted spin and crashed into the earth killing Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor instantly. He was initially buried in Upavon Cemetery, Wiltshire, but on the 8 August 1921 his body was reinterred to Cape Province, South Africa, and was re-buried in Mafeking Cemetery. However, a CWGC type headstone still resides in Upavon Cemetery commemorating Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor. It transpired that no diocesan authority had ever been given for the exhumation of the remains, nor had there been any order from the Home Office to allow the reinterrment to South Africa. Which grave is the true resting place of Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor VC DSO MC DFC is a bit of a condundrum. For the award of the Victoria Cross [ London Gazette, 30 November 1918 ], Over France, 8 August - 8 October 1918, Lieutenant ( A / Captain ) Andrew Weatherby Beauchamp-Proctor, DSO, MC, DFC, 84 Squadron, Royal Air Force.
Between 8th August 1918, and 8th October 1918, this officer proved himself victor in twenty-six decisive combats, destroying twelve enemy kite balloons, ten enemy aircraft, and driving down four other enemy aircraft completely out of control. Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor was invested with his Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Order and Distinguished Flying Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on the 27th November 1919. |
For the award of the Military Cross ( MC ) [ London Gazette, 22 June 1918 ], T / 2nd Lieutenant Andrew Weatherby Beauchamp-Proctor, 84 Squadron, Royal Air Force
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While on offensive patrol he observed an enemy two-seater plane attempting to cross our lines. He engaged it and opened fire, with the result that it fell over on its side and crashed to earth. On a later occasion, when on patrol he observed three enemy scouts attacking one of our bombing machines. He attacked one of these, and after firing 100 rounds in it, it fell over on its back and was seen to descend in that position from 5,000 feet. He then attacked another group of hostile scouts, one of which he shot down completely out of control, and another crumpled up and crashed to earth. In addition to these, he has destroyed another hostile machine, and shot down three completely out of control. He has at all times displayed the utmost dash and initiative, and is a patrol leader of great merit and resource.
For the award of a Bar to the Military Cross ( MC )
[ London Gazette, 18 September 1918 ], T / 2nd Lieutenant ( T / Captain ) Andrew Weatherby Beauchamp-Proctor, MC, 84 Squadron, Royal Air Force
For the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross ( DFC )
[ London Gazette, 3 August 1918 ], Lieutenant ( T / Captain ) Andrew Weatherby Beauchamp-Proctor, MC, 84 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Created a Companion to the Distinguished Service Order ( DSO )
[ London Gazette, 2 November 1918 ], Lieutenant ( T / Captain ) Andrew Weatherby Beauchamp-Proctor, MC, DFC, 84 Squadron, Royal Air Force
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Iain Stewart, 17 October 2016