Identity
Person No.
8169
Service No.
203120
Last Name
First Name
Gowan Arbuthnot
Initials
G A
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
42
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause code
KIA 14,780
Killed in action
Cause of Death
Killed in action, shot down by AA fire and crashed near Omo River, in Hartbees #861
Military Service
Location
Country
Locality
Unknown
Cemetery
Grave Reference
Coordinates
Unit History
Part of
Notes
Son of Douglas G. and Corinna E. Giles; husband of Harriet M. Giles, of Flagstaff, Cape Province, South Africa. Was WW1 pilot as well. Credited with a kill shared with 2 other pilots. Believed to be South Africa's oldest combat pilot when he died. Educated at Hilton College
Research notes
5 Sep 2026: Unit "41 Squadron" (a squadron, SAAF's regiment-equivalent) promoted to Regiment, per John's decision. Corps (South African Air Force) unchanged.
Citations
Unknown
External References
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Dedications
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