An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir May 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 26 | By guy WARnER PhotoS PRovIDED By guy WARnER A ghost is said to haunt the site of the former Royal Flying Corps airfield at Montrose in Scotland. on 27th May 1963 the well-known airman and indus- trialist, Peter Masefield, was flying his Dh Chipmunk close to the old airfield when he saw what he believed was a BE2 biplane; the pilot was wearing a leather flying helmet, goggles and a flying scarf. he landed as he thought he had seen it crashing but on reaching the ground discovered that there was no sign of either aeroplane or crash site. Why was this date of particular significance, who was this mysterious figure and what close part does he play in Irish aviation history? Desmond Perry Phelps Lucius Studdert Arthur was born on 31st March 1884 at O'Brien's Bridge in Co Clare. He was the son of Thomas Arthur and Helen Studdert, a family prominent in the county. Arthur was educated at Portora Royal School in Co Fermanagh, entering the school in 1898. Like many well-to-do young men of his day, he was an enthusiastic sportsman and won a number of prizes in motoring speed trials, before becoming a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Motor Reserve in 1908. Arthur attended the first Irish Aviation Meeting at Leopardstown Racecourse held on 29th August 1910 and organized by the Aero Club of Ireland. It was there that he was introduced to Cecil Grace, which reinforced his desire to become a pilot. Though born in Chile, Grace was of Irish-American ancestry and from a wealthy, elite family. Despite the fact that the weather was not really suitable for flying Arthur was taken aloft for his first flight by Grace in his Henry Farman III biplane 'after much badgering'. All they could accomplish was a short hop of 600 yards along the length of the racecourse, from which he walked back, as Grace decided that he was too well- built for a return journey. However, even this brief experience was enough to infect young Desmond with the flying bug. He joined the 5th Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers and was promoted to Lieutenant on 27th May 1911. He was known for his adventurous nature, as well as his unassum- ing manner and unfailing good spirit. On 18th June 1912 Arthur gained his Royal Aero Club Certificate No 233 after completing his trials flying a Bristol Prier monoplane at Brooklands. A few months later on 9th September 1912 he decided to test his flying skills by entering the Air Race from Leopardstown to the Balmoral Show Grounds in Belfast, again organized by the Aero Club of Ireland. Alas, his par- ticipation on the day was limited to the briefest of cameos, as his 70 hp Bristol failed to get clear of the ground, and in landing he buckled one of his wheels. The Irish journal, The Motor News described this in some detail, 'The next man to start was Desmond Arthur, on the Bristol. He seemed nervous and excited. His engine was started up, but im- mediately showed signs of misfiring. Arthur ran her 'all out' for a few moments, and the missing then ceased. The signal was then given to let go, and the monoplane swung for- A BE2 of No 2 Squadron prepares for take-off Montrose 1913 - a BE2 flies over the airfield Lt Desmond Arthur

• Cover