13 Facts About Desmond Arthur

Lieutenant Desmond Arthur was an Irish aviator in No 2 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps.

Desmond Arthur's ghost is claimed to haunt the RAF Montrose airfield in Montrose, Angus, Scotland, and paranormal enthusiasts consider it to be one of the most well-known ghost stories of the First World War.

Desmond Arthur was the first Irishman to be killed in an aircraft accident.

Desmond Arthur was born on 31 March 1884 at O'Brien's Bridge in County Clare, Ireland.

Desmond Arthur was an enthusiastic sportsman and won a number of prizes in motoring speed trials, before becoming Lieutenant in the Army Motor Reserve in 1908.

Desmond Arthur attended the first Irish Aviation Meeting at Leopardstown Racecourse on 29 August 1910.

Desmond Arthur joined the 5th Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers and was promoted to Lieutenant on 27 May 1911.

Desmond Arthur was known for his adventurous nature, as well as his "unassuming manner and unfailing good spirit".

On 18 June 1912 Desmond Arthur gained his Royal Aero Club certificate No 233 after completing his trials flying a Bristol Prier monoplane at Brooklands.

Desmond Arthur joined No 2 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps on 17 April 1913, based at Montrose.

Desmond Arthur had begun to descend when, at 2,500 feet, the right wing of the aircraft snapped off and it plunged to the ground.

Desmond Arthur was found 160 yards away from his machine.

Grey, who was a personal friend of Desmond Arthur, believed that the appearance of his ghost was linked with the official investigation into the crash.