THE DANGEROUS SKIES

Air Commodore Arthur Edmond Clouston C.B., D.S.O. & Bar, D.F.C., A.F.C. & Two Bars ( April 7th, 1908 - January 1st, 1984 ) was born at Motueka ( South Island, New Zealand ). As a teenager, he developed engineering and practical country skills, and established a business repairing and reselling motor cars. He wanted to be a master mariner, but had to abandon because of seasickness. 

Inspired by the pioneering flights in Australia and New Zealand ( late 1920's ), Arthur E. Coulston learned to fly at the Marlborough Aero Club at Omaka Aerodrome ( near Blenheim, South Island ). In 1930, after failing to join the Royal New Zealand Air Force ( R.N.Z.A.F. ), he moved to the United Kingdom. There, because there was a waiting list to join the R.A.F., he then joined Fairey Aviation Company as a working student. 

Arthur E. Clouston eventually joined the R.A.F. and, in October 1930, joined No. 3 Flying Training School ( F.T.S. ) at R.A.F. Spitalgate ( Grantham, Lincolnshire, England ). In April 1931, he was posted as Pilot Officer to No. 25 Squadron at R.A.F. Hawkinge ( Kent, England ). Promoted to Flying Officer ( April 1932 ), he was then posted to No. 24 Squadron at R.A.F. Hendon ( London, England, August 1934 ), and left the R.A.F. ( October 1935 ), although remaining as a Reserve Air Force Officer in the R.A.F.V.R. 

Arthur E. Clouston accepted the offered post of civilian test pilot at R.A.E. Farnborough ( Hampshire, England ). While employed at R.A.E., he developed a spare time interest in civil aviation, air racing and record - breaking : Croydon ( London, England ) to Cape town ( present - day Western Cape, South Africa ) and back, along with Betty Kirby - Green ( November 14th - 20th, 1937 ). Gravesend ( Kent, England ) to Omaka ( New Zealand ) and back to Croydon, along with Victor Ricketts ( March 15th - 26th, 1938 ). 

On October 1st, 1939, Arthur E. Clouston rejoined the R.A.F., and served as a test pilot with the rank of Flight Lieutenant and Acting Squadron Leader, in the Aerodynamics Flight at Farnborough. During the Battle of Britain, increasing incursions led to arm the fighters. Arthur E. Clouston managed to shot down a Heinkel He 111 and a Messerschmitt Bf 110 ( this one has been qualified as " probable " ). In April 1941, he was attached to No. 219 Squadron, operating Beaufighters from R.A.F. Redhill ( Surrey, England ), to experience night fighter tactics. 

His next postings led him to No. 1422 Flight as C.O. ( R.A.F. Heston, May 12th, 1941 ), to No. 224 Squadron as Wing Commander ( R.A.F. Beaulieu and Saint Eval, March and April 1943 ) and to R.A.F. Langham as Group Captain ( February 1944 ). 

After the war, Arthur E. Clouston was posted at R.A.F. Bückeburg ( Lower Saxony, Germany, May 1945 ). He ended his military career with the rank of Air Commodore, commandant of Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at Boscombe Down ( Wiltshire, England ). Arthur E. Clouston retired to Cornwall ( England ), on April 7th, 1960. 

( sources : Wikipedia, bbm.org.uk )