Allegiance United Kingdom Name Robert O. | Commands held 40 Squadron Rank Wing Commander | |
Born 9 January 1898
Farnham, Surrey, England ( 1898-01-09 ) Years of service 1915 - 1918, 1940 - 1954 Battles/wars World War I
World War II Awards Distinguished Service Cross with two Bars, Distinguished Flying Cross Died January 28, 1962, Worthing, United Kingdom Service/branch Royal Navy, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve | ||
Battles and wars World War I, World War II | ||
Wing Commander Robert John Orton Compston DSC & 2 Bars DFC (9 January 1898 – 28 January 1962) was an English fighter pilot credited with 25 victories during World War I. He was one of only seven airman in this war who won three awards of the Distinguished Service Cross.
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Life and service
Robert John Orton Compston was born in Farnham, Surrey the son of Herbert Fuller Bright Compston, a clergyman, and his wife Rose Contance Compston (née Orton). He joined the Royal Naval Air Service in 1915 when he was 17 years old. He originally flew Home Defense missions, but was reassigned to 8 Naval Squadron when it went to France. He was a close friend of ace Robert Little.
Compston served in the Royal Air Force in the Second World War. On the 13 August 1940, while based at RAF Detling, the airfield came under attack by the Luftwaffe. It was the first major effort of the Germans during the Battle of Britain. Junkers Ju 87Stuka dive-bombers devastated the station and Squadron Leader Compston was wounded in action; one of 42 wounded and 24 killed. He retired from the RAFVR in 1954 with the rank of wing commander.
Personal life
Compston married Nina Barclay in Chelsea in 1919. He died in the Worthing area of Sussex on 28 January 1962 aged 64.
Honours and awards
"For conspicuous skill and gallantry during the past nine months, in particular when attached to the Royal Flying Corps, when he had numerous engagements with enemy aircraft, and certainly destroyed one."
"On the 12th June, 1917, with three other machines, he attacked six hostile scouts. He got close to one, and shot it down out of control.
"On the 16th June, 1917, he attacked and brought down a two-seater Aviatik.
"For ability and determination when leading offensive patrols, in which he displays entire disregard of personal danger.
"On the 1st January, 1918, he observed a new type twin-tailed two-seater enemy machine, which he attacked, firing a good many rounds at point blank range. The enemy machine dived, but was again attacked and went down vertically with his engine full on. The wings came off, and the machine was observed to crash. Later in the day Flt. Cdr. Compston observed two formations of ten and five Albatross scouts respectively. He attacked one of the enemy machines and sent it down in a flat spin and falling over sideways completely out of control.