Biography:
Anthony Nugent was born 11 August 1899, the second son of John Nugent, of the Indian Civil Service and Amy, daughter of Herbert Hankey. The family lived in Hove.
He came to Winchester College from Cordwalles School in September 1912 and was in K House, Kingsgate House. He was a member of the Debating Society and left school in the summer of 1917.
Anthony joined the Royal Flying Corps in July 1917 and trained to be an observer. Towards the end of May 1918 he joined 52 Squadron in France. They were flying RE8 reconnaissance aeroplanes from Trecon, and Nugent was killed in action on 1 June 1918 while on artillery patrol over the front line. His plane (B7738) was attacked by three enemy fighters, and fell within a wood behind the Allied lines at Damery-sur-Marne. Both crewmen were found dead in the machine. Their attacker’s identity is uncertain, but Offizierstellvertreter Gustav Dörr of Jasta 45 claimed an RE8 that day over La Ferte Milon. If confirmed, B7738 would have been his fourth victim. He was credited with thirty-five victories by the end of the war.
Nugent was posthumously awarded the Croix de Guerre. His pilot, Lieutenant George Bellair Ross, lies in grave XVI.D.27 at Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille.