Lanoe Hawker VC

[Adrian Roberts]

I thought it was worth noting that tomorrow, 23rd November, is the 90th anniversary of the death of Major Lanoe Hawker VC DSO, the first British Empire ace fighter pilot.

By all accounts, a fine and honourable gentleman. His score of seven was not high by later standards, but should be seen in the context of the primitive equipment of the time, and the less intense aerial activity.

If his qualification for a VC award is doubted, remember that his gun was mounted to fire forwards and to the left of the propeller - so to shoot at a German aircraft he had to position himself precisely where the observer could most easily shoot back

Adrian

[Dolphin]

Adrian

As you say, all the reports that we have are that he was a fine and honourable gentleman.

His biography, Hawker VC by his brother Tyrell Hawker is well worth reading.

Gareth