MALET Francis Arthur Rivers

Flight Sub-Lieut., R.N.A.S.
Born September 20, 1896.  Killed when flying, November 12, 1916.
Arthur Malet entered the School in May, 1906, in the Third Form, as a day boy, and left to undertake engineering in December, 1908.  He came to us from Michael House School, Natal, and during his active School life showed great promise and made many friends. The officers of his Seaplane Squadron, with whom he was most popular, have subscribed to place a memorial tablet to him in College Hall.  The “United Service Gazette” gave the following account of his varied and adventurous life.  “Last week the Royal Naval Air Service lost one of its most daring aviators in Flight Sub-Lieutenant F. A. Rivers Malet, who was accidentally killed.  He belonged to families whose members have been long associated with the service of the Crown, including Sir Edward Malet, formerly Ambassador at Berlin, and Admiral Sir Reginald Bacon, commander of the famous Dover patrol.  His father is Lieutenant H. Rivers Malet, R. N., and his mother is a daughter of the late Major King, Royal Scots Greys.  Sub Lieutenant Malet was born in India, and educated in South Africa and King’s School, Worcester.  He entered the firm of Messrs. Green, ship engineers, and afterwards went to Cornwall for marine salvage work, and became a member of the Cornwall Fortress R.E.  Going to British Columbia in 1913 for salvage work, he joined the Canadian Naval Forces, but on war breaking out he enlisted in the 48th Highlanders of Canada as a motor cyclist, and served in Lord Brooke’s Brigade. Early this year he was transferred to the Navy owing to his knowledge of engines and motors.  He qualified as a pilot, and was sent to Dunkirk, where he had many successful fights and flights.  Recently he dropped in the North Sea, and was rescued by a destroyer, and on another occasion he put to rout a big aeroplane which had greater speed and armament than his own.  His brother is also a flight lieutenant.  The funeral took place at Chatham with naval honours.”
W. H. C.

Source for additional information: The Vigornian, March 1917, No.88, Vol.VIII