George Stacey Hodson
| George Stacey Hodson | |
|---|---|
| Born |
2 May 1899 Belmont, Surrey, England |
| Died | 1 October 1976 (aged 77) Bognor Regis, West Sussex, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Rank | Air Vice Marshal |
| Unit |
No. 73 Squadron RFC No. 213 Squadron RAF No. 1 Flying Training School No. 55 Squadron RAF No. 4 Flying Training School No. 5 Flying Training School No. 58 Squadron RAF No. 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron AAF No. 11 Flying Training School |
| Commands held |
RNZAF Wigram No. 44 Base, RAF Holme-on-Spalding Moor No. 93 Group RAF No. 92 Group RAF No. 205 Group RAF |
| Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front World War II |
| Awards |
Order of the Bath Order of the British Empire Air Force Cross Croix de guerre (Belgium) |
Air Vice Marshal George Stacey Hodson CB, CBE, AFC, (2 May 1899 – 1 October 1976) was an air officer of the British Royal Air Force who began his military career as a World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories. In the course of his 34 years service, he rose to become a major commander during World War II.
Hodson was born in Belmont, Surrey, and was educated at Dulwich College.
Hodson was commissioned as a probationary temporary second lieutenant on the General List for service in the Royal Flying Corps on 9 September 1917. Upon completion of his training, on 28 October 1917, he was confirmed in his rank and posted to No. 73 Squadron RFC. Flying a Sopwith Camel single seat fighter, he gained his first four aerial victories between 10 and 31 March 1918. The day after his fourth victory, 1 April 1918, the Army's Royal Flying Corps was merged with the Royal Naval Air Service to form the Royal Air Force, and Hodson was promoted to lieutenant. Hodson was then posted back to England to serve as an instructor, finally returning to France to serve in No. 213 Squadron RAF in August 1918, and gaining six more victories between 18 September and 14 October 1918, including three aircraft in a single day.
In recognition of his war-time service Hodson was awarded the Air Force Cross on 3 June 1919, and on 15 July 1919 was awarded the Croix de guerre by the Kingdom of Belgium.
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