19 Facts About Amyas Borton

Amyas Borton saw active service on the Western Front, in Palestine and in Iraq.

Amyas Borton was born on 20 September 1886 in Tanfield, Durham, the younger son of Irish-born Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Borton, a soldier and barrister.

Amyas Borton was commissioned into the Black Watch Militia in January 1904.

In 1906, while remaining in the Black Watch, Amyas Borton transferred to the Regular Army.

Two months prior to the outbreak of the First World War, Amyas Borton was seconded to the Military Wing of the Royal Flying Corps, serving as a pilot on No 5 Squadron at RAF Netheravon.

The usage came about because Amyas Borton was probably the first pilot to shout the words "Archibald, certainly not" as he flew between the exploding German shells.

Amyas Borton was joined at Brooklands by his brother, who was an RFC observer at that time.

Amyas Borton was later awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his actions.

On 1 August 1916, Amyas Borton was recalled to England and promoted to lieutenant colonel.

Amyas Borton took up his new post as officer commanding the Fifth Wing RFC on 5 February 1917, succeeding Lieutenant-Colonel Joubert de la Ferte.

The Fifth Wing played an important role in the First and Second Battle of Gaza while Amyas Borton was in command.

In October 1917, Amyas Borton was moved sideways to head the newly created Fortieth Wing which was based in the Middle East.

Amyas Borton played an important role in the Palestine campaign during his time in command.

At the start of 1921, Amyas Borton returned to the Middle East, this time as the Officer Commanding the newly established Mesopotamian Group which was the air element of the Army-led British forces in the British Mandate of Mesopotamia.

Amyas Borton instigated air control measures as a means of pacifying the region.

From 1923 to 1926, Amyas Borton was the second officer to hold the appointment of commandant of the RAF College and the air officer commanding RAF Cranwell.

On 1 November 1926, Amyas Borton was appointed director of personnel services at the Air Ministry in succession to Air Vice-Marshal Longcroft.

Amyas Borton remained Director until 1 July 1929 when he was succeeded by Air Commodore Peregrine Fellowes.

Amyas Borton took up his final appointment as Air Officer Commanding Inland Area on 1 November 1929, continuing in post until he retired from the RAF on 23 August 1933 in the rank of air vice-marshal.