Tom F. Hazell
| Thomas Falcon Hazell | |
|---|---|
| Born |
7 August 1892 Roundstone, County Galway, Ireland |
| Died | 4 September 1946 (aged 54) Newport, County Mayo, Ireland |
| Buried at | Burrishoole Church of Ireland Cemetery, Newport, Ireland |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1914–1927 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Unit | |
| Commands held | |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Order Military Cross Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar |
Thomas Falcon Hazell DSO, MC, DFC & Bar (7 August 1892 – 4 September 1946) was a fighter pilot with the Royal Flying Corps, and later, the Royal Air Force during the First World War. Hazell scored 43 victories in 1917–18 making him the fifth most successful British "flying ace" of the war, and the third most successful Irish-born pilot, behind Edward Mannock and George McElroy, as well the only pilot to survive the war from both groups.
Hazell was born in Roundstone, County Galway on the west coast of Ireland, to Thomas Hazell and Cecile Buckley (daughter of VC recipient Cecil Buckley). He attended Tonbridge School until 1911.
Upon the outbreak of the war in August 1914, Hazell volunteered for service as a private with the South Irish Horse. On 10 October he was commissioned as second lieutenant in the 7th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. As part of the 49th Brigade in the 16th (Irish) Division, the 7th Inniskillings were initially based at Tipperary, where Hazell was promoted to lieutenant on 4 June 1915. His regiment moved to Finner Camp in August 1915, and moved to Woking in England in September. The regiment landed in France in February 1916.
Soon after Hazell transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. In April and May he was assigned to No. 5 Reserve Squadron, based at Castle Bromwich. He was appointed a flying officer on 5 June, and survived a severe crash before completing his training, and eventually joined No. 1 Squadron on the Western Front. Flying Nieuport 17 Scouts, he shot down 20 enemy aircraft between March and August 1917, being appointed a flight commander with the acting rank of captain on 25 May, and was awarded the Military Cross on 26 July. His citation read:
...
Wikipedia