2nd Lieutenant Arthur James MAITLAND
40 Training Squadron , Royal Flying Corps

Date of birth: 9th March 1899
Date of death: 22nd September 1917

Killed on active service aged 18
Buried at Enfield (Lavender Hill) Cemetery Grave C.A.6
Arthur James Maitland was born at "Blythwood", Bycullah Park, Enfield on the 9th of March 1899 the younger son of John Maitland, a tea merchant, and Florence (nee Disney) Maitland of "Blythwood", Bycullah Park, Enfield in Middlesex.

He was educated at Hazelwood School until July 1912 where he was a member of the Cricket XI in 1911 and 1912 and of the Football XI in 1911. The school magazine wrote the following of his 1911 cricket season: - "A keen youngster; much to learn still, but has improved both in batting and fielding."

Of his 1912 cricket season they wrote: - "Has made considerable advance as a batsman, though his back play is still weak; is a safe catch and revealed trundling ability hitherto unsuspected."

They wrote the following of his 1911 football season: - "(Right half) - Has made an astonishing advance, having to his previous dash added cleverness in parting with the ball, and no little pertinacity in defence; combined prettily with his wing, and can shoot a bit."

On leaving the school the magazine wrote of him: - "...joins our colony at Wellington. Universally popular, he will be sorely missed. Has been leader of the choir for the past year, and a prominent figure at cricket , football, hockey and golf. With a little more self assertion he might make a name for himself at one or more of these pastimes. We had hoped to see him in the "middle line" next term, but his House Master proved adamant."

He went on to Wellington College, where he was in The Stanley from September 1912 to 1917. He was a member of the Officer Training Corps and was a member of the 2nd Cricket XI in 1915 and 1916. He passed the entrance examination and matriculation for New College Oxford but never took his place there, choosing instead to join the Royal Flying Corps.

He applied for a commission in the Royal Flying Corps on the 29th of March 1917, in an application which was supported by Mr. W.W. Vaughan, the Master of Wellington College, and by Major Seymour, Commanding Officer of the Wellington College Contingent, Officer Training Corps. He enlisted as Private 79491 in the Royal Flying Corps at the Reserve Depot, South Farnborough on the 2nd of May 1917. At a medical examination, which was held on the same day, it was recorded that he was five feet six inches tall and that he weighed 124lbs.

He was posted to No. 1 Officer Cadet Wing at Denham Camp in Buckinghamshire on the 14th of May 1917, serving there until he joined No. 2 School of Military Aeronautics at Oxford on the 15th of June. He was appointed as a Flying Officer on the 11th of July 1917 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on the General List for the Royal Flying Corps on the 20th of July 1917. He was posted to 4 Training Squadron on the 21st of July 1917 and to 60 Squadron on the 1st of August 1917.

He graduated as a pilot on the 11th of September 1917 and was due to receive his wings after completing 30 hours of solo flying. He was doing his 28th hour at Croydon Airfield while flying Sopwith Camel B6292 when the aircraft entered a spin and nosedived into the ground killing him instantly.

He is commemorated on the war memorial at Wellington College.
Went on to Wellington College

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