Military Cross : Captain A A N D Pentland, Royal Flying Corps

Place	Europe: France
Accession Number	REL38029.001
Collection type	Heraldry
Object type	Award
Physical description	Silver
Maker	Unknown
Place made	United Kingdom
Date made	c 1917
Conflict	First World War, 1914-1918

Description

Military Cross. Engraved on reverse with recipient's details.

History / Summary

Alexander Augustus Norman Dudley Pentland, known as Jerry, was born on 5 August 1894. At age 20 he enlisted in the AIF as a trooper with the 12th Light Horse Regiment in March 1915 and was assigned the service number 674. In August he was deployed to Gallipoli where he served with the 1st Light Horse Regiment as a machine gunner. After contracting enteric fever in September he was evacuated to England for treatment. Upon recovering, Pentland was appointed to a commission in the British Royal Flying Corps in February 1916. He served with 16, 19, 29 and 87 Squadrons flying SPADs and Sopwith Dolphins. His service included both operational tours and instructor duties. By the end of the war Pentland had been awarded the Military Cross and Distinguished Flying Cross and was one of Australia's most successful flying aces, scoring 23 victories. The citation for his Military Cross awarded in September 1917 reads 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On a recent occasion he flew to an aerodrome fifteen miles behind the enemy lines, descended to within twenty feet of the ground, and fired into eight hostile machines. On his return journey he attacked a train with considerable effect from a low altitude. He has in addition brought down several enemy machines, and has always set a splendid example of fearlessness and devotion to duty in attacking enemy balloons and troops on the ground.'. Pentland returned to Australia after the war and served briefly with the newly formed Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) before moving to England and joining the Royal Air Force as a machine gun and fighting instructor. Pentland returned to Australia in 1926 and became a civilian pilot, flying in Australia and New Guinea. He rejoined the RAAF during the Second World War, initially instructing at elementary flying schools before commanding an air-sea rescue and communication unit in the Pacific for which he was awarded the Air Force Cross. He was discharged from the RAAF with the rank of squadron leader on 2 November 1945.