Alan Rice-Oxley
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Alan Rice-Oxley (alias Alan Rice Oxley) (1898 - 21 July 1961) was a British pilot during World War I. He became a flying ace
in 1918, credited with six aerial victories.
the following year. He trained as a pilot and initially served with No. 15 Squadron in France, tasked with artillery-spotting and reconnaissance. He was wounded in action in October 1916, and after recuperating became a fighter pilot. Subsequently, in 1918 he joined the Sopwith Camel
equipped No. 45 Squadron on the Italian Front. He recorded his first victories in a combat on the 12 July 1918. Piloting Camel D8240, he and Captain Cedric Howell
engaged a formation of between ten and fifteen Austro-Hungarian aircraft in proximity to the town of Feltre
. In the ensuing dogfight Rice-Oxley destroyed two of the enemy, and for his conduct in this action was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Over the course of the following three days, he destroyed another enemy aircraft and drove a further two down out of control. He achieved his sixth and final victory on 22 August.
Armed Constabulary, attaining the position of Commissioner of Police. From 1942-1945 he was interned by the Japanese as a civilian internee at Batu Lintang camp
near Kuching
, Sarawak
. Post war, he returned to Britain and was still working as a farmer when he died in Bridport
, Dorset on 21 July 1961.
"Lt. Alan Rice-Oxley (Shrops. L.I.).
In company with another machine this officer attacked an enemy formation of fifteen aeroplanes, and promptly destroyed two of them. He then repeatedly attacked the remaining thirteen machines, who were crowding on his companion, and the battle ended in the destruction of six of the enemy and one driven down out of control. Two days afterwards he destroyed two more enemy aircraft. The gallantry displayed by this officer, and that of his companion, Capt. C. E. Howell, in attacking fifteen machines, was of the very highest order."
Supplement to the London Gazette, 2 November 1918 (12971/30989)
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
in 1918, credited with six aerial victories.
Early life
Alan Rice-Oxley was born in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire in 1898. He was educated at Watford Grammar School for Boys, which he attended between January 1908 and July 1914.Military career
Rice-Oxley commissioned into the King's Shropshire Light Infantry in February 1915 and was seconded to the Royal Flying CorpsRoyal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
the following year. He trained as a pilot and initially served with No. 15 Squadron in France, tasked with artillery-spotting and reconnaissance. He was wounded in action in October 1916, and after recuperating became a fighter pilot. Subsequently, in 1918 he joined the Sopwith Camel
Sopwith Camel
The Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter introduced on the Western Front in 1917. Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company, it had a short-coupled fuselage, heavy, powerful rotary engine, and concentrated fire from twin synchronized machine guns. Though difficult...
equipped No. 45 Squadron on the Italian Front. He recorded his first victories in a combat on the 12 July 1918. Piloting Camel D8240, he and Captain Cedric Howell
Cedric Howell
Cedric Ernest "Spike" Howell DSO, MC, DFC was an Australian fighter pilot and flying ace of the First World War. Born in Adelaide, South Australia, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in 1916 for service in the First World War and was posted to the 46th Battalion on the Western Front...
engaged a formation of between ten and fifteen Austro-Hungarian aircraft in proximity to the town of Feltre
Feltre
Feltre is a town and comune of the province of Belluno in Veneto, northern Italy. A hill town in the southern reaches of the province, it is located on the Stizzon River, about 4 km from its junction with the Piave, and 20 km southwest from Belluno...
. In the ensuing dogfight Rice-Oxley destroyed two of the enemy, and for his conduct in this action was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Over the course of the following three days, he destroyed another enemy aircraft and drove a further two down out of control. He achieved his sixth and final victory on 22 August.
Later life
Rice-Oxley joined the North BorneoNorth Borneo
North Borneo was a British protectorate under the sovereign North Borneo Chartered Company from 1882 to 1946. After the war it became a crown colony of Great Britain from 1946 to 1963, known in this time as British North Borneo. It is located on the northeastern end of the island of Borneo. It is...
Armed Constabulary, attaining the position of Commissioner of Police. From 1942-1945 he was interned by the Japanese as a civilian internee at Batu Lintang camp
Batu Lintang camp
Batu Lintang camp at Kuching, Sarawak on the island of Borneo was a Japanese internment camp during the Second World War. It was unusual in that it housed both Allied prisoners of war and civilian internees...
near Kuching
Kuching
Kuching , officially the City of Kuching, and formerly the City of Sarawak, is the capital and most populous city of the East Malaysian state of Sarawak. It is the largest city on the island of Borneo, and the fourth largest city in Malaysia....
, Sarawak
Sarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
. Post war, he returned to Britain and was still working as a farmer when he died in Bridport
Bridport
Bridport is a market town in Dorset, England. Located near the coast at the western end of Chesil Beach at the confluence of the River Brit and its Asker and Simene tributaries, it originally thrived as a fishing port and rope-making centre...
, Dorset on 21 July 1961.
Honours and awards
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) citation:"Lt. Alan Rice-Oxley (Shrops. L.I.).
In company with another machine this officer attacked an enemy formation of fifteen aeroplanes, and promptly destroyed two of them. He then repeatedly attacked the remaining thirteen machines, who were crowding on his companion, and the battle ended in the destruction of six of the enemy and one driven down out of control. Two days afterwards he destroyed two more enemy aircraft. The gallantry displayed by this officer, and that of his companion, Capt. C. E. Howell, in attacking fifteen machines, was of the very highest order."
Supplement to the London Gazette, 2 November 1918 (12971/30989)