Ernest Deighton

Sergeant Ernest Arthur Deighton was a World War I flying ace observer/gunner credited with 15 confirmed aerial victories; all but one of them was against enemy fighters.

Ernest Arthur Deighton enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps on 15 March 1917 as a transport driver. As a Corporal Mechanic, he volunteered to fly as an observer/gunner in the rear seat of No.20 Squadron's Bristol F.2 Fighters.

Deighton flew as an observer/gunner for four pilot aces: Captain Wilfred Beaver, Lieutenants David Weston, Leslie Capel, and Ernest Lindup. Deighton scored his first victory on 11 April 1918 and closed out his string on 23 June 1918. In total, he was credited with destroying ten enemy fighters and an observation plane, and with four other German fighters claimed 'out of control'.

Deighton was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 7 June 1918. He and Beaver were forced down by a German Albatros D.V on 13 June 1918, but were uninjured. However, Deighton was subsequently injured on 15 July 1918 and returned to Britain.

Deighton's Distinguished Conduct Medal was gazetted to him on 1 October 1918. The award citation read:

"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In little more than a fortnight he has shot down five enemy aircraft. He has shown remarkable marksmanship and coolness in action, and is a valuable asset in his squadron."

Unusually, the original award recommendations still exist. One of them was written on 27 May 1918; Captain Beaver followed up with a second one two days later. Both give more detailed accounts of Deighton's exploits than the award citation, mainly enumerating his aerial victories.

Deighton apparently returned to service during World War II, as he resigned his Second lieutenant's commission in the Warwicks on 12 May 1945.

Nothing more is known of him until his death in Bournemouth, England on 5 December 1957.