The AIF Project

Wilfred Ashton McCLOUGHRY

Date of birth26 November 1894
ReligionCongregational
OccupationClerk
Address45 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide, South Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation20
Next of kinFather, James McCloughry 45 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide, South Australia
Enlistment date5 January 1915
Rank on enlistmentLieutenant
Unit name9th Light Horse Regiment, 2nd Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number10/14/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A26 Armadale on 12 February 1915
Promotions

Major


Unit: AFC
Promotion date: 26 October 1917

Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Distinguished Flying Cross


Recommendation date: "7 August 1918

Companion of the Distinguished Service Order


Recommendation date: 13 November 1918"

FateNo details of fate entered on Nominal Roll
Medals

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion. On many occasions he has displayed the highest courage and skill in successfully bombing stations and trains, often at very low altitudes, and has always given a fine example of energy and determination.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 189
Date: 8 November 1917

Distinguished Service Order

'The record of this officer's squadron, when equipped with Sopwith camels, was unique, not only in the number of aircraft destroyed with almost insignificant loss to overseas, but also in the persistence with which they carried out innumerable raids at the lowest altitude. The high morale and individual enterprise of the members of this squadron must be largely attributed to the personality and influence of their leader, Major McCloughry. When the squadron was re-armed with Sopwith snipes the change in type necessitated a complete reversal of their aerial experience. By his careful and untiring leadership he succeeded in so training his squadron that in a series of raids on three successive days they accounted for upwards of thirty hostile aeroplanes.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61
Date: 23 May 1919

Distinguished Flying Cross

'The squadron commanded by this Officer has been remarkably active and successful in attacks at low altitudes on trains, transports, billets, and low flying machines, this success is largely due to his inspiring personality, fine leadership, and the boldness in attack he invariably displays. One evening he bombed a train, which was compelled to stop; he then attacked it with machine gun fire at 200 feet altitude. Afterwards he engaged a two seater machine, which unfortunately escaped owing to failures in both his machine guns. Having remedied these, he attcked a party of infantry which he dispersed, several casualties being noted.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31
Date: 4 March 1919

Other detailsMedals: Military Cross, Distinguished Service Order, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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