Arthur Reed

Lieutenant Arthur Eden Reed (22 August 1898 – 29 June 1937) was a South African World War I flying ace accredited with 19 aerial victories.

Early years Childhood and education Reed was born on 22 August 1898 in Pretoria, South Africa, the son of Charles James Bowler Reed, and his wife Maria Pauline Voigt. Brother to Charles Bolingbroke Reed, the eldest of five children, and his three sisters Ethel, Edna, and Phyllis. Reed attended Pretoria Boys High School, along with his brother Charles, where he matriculated in December 1914.

Lieut. A.E. Reed was awarded the D.F.C. and Bar while serving in the R.F.C. He swooped down to close quarters and managed to pick off each of the occupants including a German general and other high-ranking staff officers. The wrecked car with its occupants was found the next day during the British advance. Reed received a personal letter from General Plumer (Herbert Plumer), himself, granting him an immediate award from the D.F.C. Reed subsequently won a bar to the D.F.C.

Military career He began his service with the army in German East Africa between June 1915 and August 1916. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in April 1917. He was posted to duty to fly RAF SE.5as with 29 Squadron in March 1918. His first victory came on 28 May 1918, when he drove a Pfalz D.III down out of control. He scored steadily, including a triple win on 18 August, with his last victory coming on 13 September 1918. He tended to shoot down enemy two-seaters, especially trench strafers; his final victory list included 11 two-seaters, including six ground attack aircraft. 29 November 1918 – Lieutenant Reed is appointed a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross

Death Reed died young of bronchopneumonia after a seven-day illness, at the Railwaymens' Nursing Home in Entabeni, Durban, South Africa.