Tom F. Hazell
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Thomas Falcon Hazell | |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Roundstone, County Galway, Ireland |
| Allegiance | British Empire |
| Rank | Major |
Major Thomas Falcon Hazell MC, DSO, DFC (7th August 1892- 1946) was a fighter pilot for the Royal Air Force during the Great War. He is credited with forty-three airal victories with the British Royal Flying Corps, making him the the fifth most successful British “flying ace” during the war, and the third most successful Irishman, behind Edward Mannock and George McElroy.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Hazell was born in Roundstone, County Galway on the west coast of Ireland, to Thomas Hazell and Cecil Buckley.
[edit] World War I
Upon the outbreak of War in 1914, the then twenty-two year old Hazell volunteered for service. He became part of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, an infantry regiment of the British army. Two years later, in 1916, Hazell transferred from the Fusiliers to the Royal flying Corps (RFC). After completing his training, Hazell joined the No. 1 Squadron on the war zone that was the Western Front. Between the 4th March 1917 and 4th October 1918, Hazell achieved 43 confirmed kills in the sky, making him the 21st most successful flying ace of the first world war. After his first twenty victories, in August 1917, Hazell received the Military Cross for his outstanding contribution to the British war effort. The final two victories Hazell had to his name were registered on 4th October 1918, whilst he was in command of the No. 24 squadron. After his successes and upon returning to Britain, Hazell was made a Major and moved to what would be his third and final squadron, No. 203.
[edit] After the war and later years
After the war had concluded, Hazell was given permanent commission by the Royal Air Force (RAF) as well as being decorated with both a Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). During the 1920’s Hazell was a commander of Squadrons in the Middle East, most notably Iraq.
In 1944, at the age of 52, Hazell became the commander of Home Guard “D” Coy during the later part of the Second World War. Two years later in Ireland, Thomas Falcon Hazell died at the age of 54.
